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Dunvegan Castle | |
County |
Isle of Skye | |
How to get there |
23 miles west of Portree, off A850 | |
History
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Dunvegan Castle has been occupied
continuously by same family for longer than any other castle in Scotland.
In 1237 Leod, a son of the King of the Isle of Man and the North Isles, inherited the island of Lewis and Harris and part of the Isle of Skye. He established his stronghold on the rocky peninsular at Dunvegan. The castle has been the home of the Macleods (meaning son of Leod) ever since. Before his death in 1280 Leod enclosed the site with a stone fortification. A sea gate was constructed and this was the only entrance to the castle until the middle of the 18th century. A keep was built between 1340 and 1360 by Malcolm, the 3rd Chief. The Fairy Tower was built around 1500 and other improvements were carried out in the 17th century. The most important changes were carried out in the 19th century when the entire castle was modernized, complete with corner turrets and battlements. Extensive rebuilding was carried out between 1938-1940 after a major fire destroyed most of the south wing. The castle did not see much military action but was besieged in the early 15th century by the Macdonalds of Sleat, traditional enemies of the Macleods. In 1557 it was captured by Iain Dubh, an uncle who aspired to be legitimate chief. The castle's most famous treasure is the Fairy Flag. Although legend states the flag was given to the family by fairies, research has shown that the silk banner dates from AD400 to AD700 and may be the famous banner Landoda brought back from Palestine by Leod's ancestor Harald Haardraade. |
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