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History

The first fortress was constructed in the 14th century by Thane William.  The turreted central keep dates from the 15th century and has walls 11 feet thick in places.  The tower has a moat and drawbridge and was originally surrounded by a ditch.  The keep is now flanked by buildings dating from the 17th and 19th centuries. 

The Thanes of Cawdor were very active in local Scottish politics throughout the centuries and the castle has had a violent history.   Both the 4th and 11th Thanes were murdered.  The castle is associated with Shakespeare as the site of Macbeth's murder of King Duncan.  However, this is poetic licence as the murder took place in the 11th century and the castle was not built until 300 years later. 

The Thanes of Cawdor have lived continuously at the castle for 600 years and the buildings house a treasury of family history.  There are a number of rare tapestries, portraits by painters including Joshua Reynolds and George Romney and furniture by Sheraton and Chippendale. 

Visitors can explore the parts of the tower and later buildings and there is an impressive 17th century kitchen.