Scottish Gothic!
On the Isle of Skye we came across Armadale Castle which was one of the most spooky, Gothic ruins that I have seen in a long time! It certainly added to the atmosphere that it was
raining – absolutely pouring, in fact. The Castle is set in the most beautiful gardens and is also the home to the Museum of the Isles, which tells the fascinating story of the Clan Donald from its origins as a medieval lordship to the present day as a worldwide clan. The museum covers many topics from the Jacobites to the Highland clearances. It is one of the most vibrant and interesting museums I have ever visited. You can find out more about it here. There was also a sad, wet peacock there trying to find shelter from the rain!
Armadale was one of the homes of the MacDonald Chiefs from the 1650s and in 1690 it was burned in an attempt by the government to make Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat submit to the new government. The Navy report of the affair states that although HMS Dartmouth bombarded the castle for several hours the walls withstood the onslaught and it was after that that the house was burned. Cannon balls from the Dartmouth have been found at Armadale. In the 18th century the mansion on the site there was used as the Dower House. Armadale was also the site of the marriage in 1750 Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie flee Scotland after the Battle of Culloden. Samuel Johnson and James Boswell also visited the castle as part of their tour of the Isles in 1773.
The House was developed in the 1790s and the original gardens laid out in a grand style that demonstrated the wealthy lifestyle of the landed
aristocracy. It was extended again in 1815 but much of the original house was destroyed in a fire in 1855 and by the 20th century the castle was a ruin open to the wind and rain as it is now. The Museum of the Isles makes Armadale well worth a visit even if you are not a fan of spooky ruined castles. The fact that I am made the trip even more fun for me!
©2011 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.
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