Urquhart Castle

by Kirsty Owen

From its vantage point overlooking Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle dominated the region for centuries. The probable site of a Pictish hill-fort, it may have been the scene for St Columba's reported encounter with a Pictish chief in the 6th century. Around 1230, the Durward family was granted the lordship of Urquhart, and soon built the first castle. Over the next three centuries it was repeatedly remodelled, soon becoming a royal residence. But its strategic position meant it was frequently under attack. Both Edward I of England and Robert the Bruce ravaged it during the Wars of Independence; the MacDonald Islesmen were frequent raiders in the 1400s and 1500s; and the Jacobites laid siege during the Rising of 1689-90. It stands today as a gaunt but handsome ruin in the heart of the Highlands.

Genres: Guidebook, History

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative guide about Urquhart Castle, it had a lot of history and diagrams which I appreciated and I could really picture where they were talking about despite it being over a year since I had visited.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good souvenir with background information, but not particularly helpful as a guide. The background history was well-presented in an introductory film that was part of the entrance price. However, the setting is amazing and there are enough ruins to make for an excellent short visit if you are in the Inverness area.