• Kildrummy Castle & Hotel - We were married at nearby Candacraig Gardens and spent our wedding night here

• Glenbuchat Castle - On the way to Candacraig for our wedding, we stopped here for a picnic and a wee nip!

• The Delgatie Castle Official Website

• Delgatie Castle

• Castle Photos from Scotland - Most extensive and complete collection I've EVER seen,  anywhere!  You'll surely find your clan castle / connection here! and if you don't, Eleanor will find it for you.  Beautiful photographs, complete with Scotland's ever-changing scenery -- flashing from sunny skies to falling haars and foreboding clouds in less than a heartbeat.  It makes us homesick!  If you truly want to experience Scotland from afar -- DON'T MISS THIS!  Eleanor says there are more than 2,700 castles in Scotland alone!!!

• Ancient Scotland - Megaliths, Castles, Picts, Burials & more

• Castle Index

• Scottish Castles Photo Library - Recommended

• The British Monarchy

• Castles by Cannon

• Jock's Castles of Scotland

 

Some other excellent Scottish sites I highly recommend:

• Scottish History Online

• Magic Scotland

• Och Aye

• The Bards

• e-Thistle

• St. Andrews Golf Course LIVE WebCam

• Edinburgh LIVE WebCam

• Aberdeen LIVE WebCam

• FREE Scottish Photo Wallpaper at Undiscovered Scotland - GORGEOUS

North East Scotland - Aberdeen

( Andy's Hometown )

Aberdeen, the Granite City, is the main city in the Grampians, the land of whisky, hunting, fishing... and seventy castles. Travel up the Dee Valley to Balmoral Castle, the home of the British Royal Family, and Braemar, famous for its Highland Games. The Don Valley has an important archeological heritage and some prestigious castles, including Drum, Craigievar and Fraser. Follow the 'Whisky Trail' along the Spey Valley and the northeast coast to Forres, stopping en route to visit major fishing ports (Peterhead, Fraserburgh), nature reserves, little fishing villages and Elgin Cathedral.

From The Eilean Donan Castle Official Website:

 

"The beginnings of Eilean Donan Castle reach back into the early mists of time. Evidence of a Pictish fort was found in vitrified rock uncovered during excavations-some of which has been kept for visitors to see. At the beginning of the seventh century St Donan (d.618) lived on the island as a religious hermit: the name "Eilean Donan" means "Island of Donan". This was the period when Christianity was first introduced to the Western Isles.

 

The first fortified stronghold was established in the reign of Alexander II (1214-1250). In 1263 Alexander III gave the castle to Colin Fitzgerald, son of the Earl of Desmond and Kildare (later to become MacKenzies) as a reward for services in the Battle of Largs. The famous battle culminated in the defeat of the Norwegian King, Haco. Following his death shortly after, his successor, Magnus, ceded all the Western Isles to Scotland.

 

Tradition relates that Robert the Bruce was given shelter here, but less welcome was the visit by Randolph, Earl of Moray and Warden of all Scotland in 1331. To mark the arrival of this strict disciplinarian, fifty "miscreants" were executed and their heads placed upon the walls of the castle. Greatly pleased, he claimed that the sight of Justice so displayed was sweeter to him than any garland of roses.

 

The Earldom of Ross continued to press it's claims to the castle, and, in 1350 went so far as to seize the MacKenzie chief (another Kenneth), and execute him at Inverness. Kenneth's heir was quickly dispatched to the Western Isles  until confirmed in his title to the lands by David II. By this time the clan Macrae, destined to be the MacKenzies "Coat of Mail", had settled in the district, followed shortly thereafter by the clan MacLennan.

 

The first half of the 16th century was a difficult and dangerous time for the MacKenzies and their castle. In 1497 one hector Roy MacKenzie became Tutor (or Guardian) to John, a minor, and had to be dislodged by law after involving the family in feuding with both the Crown and other clans. In 1539 the MacKenzies joined with the MacLeods in disputing Donald Gorm MacDonald of Sleat's claim to the Lordship of the isles. MacDonald sailed with fifty ships to lay siege to the castle, which was occupied at the time only by the Constable, John Dubh Matheson, and a "watchman". Duncan MacRae who was passing as the fleet approached hastened to the aid of the beleaguered pair. The Constable was shot by an arrow and killed, and before long Duncan Macrae was reduced to a single arrow that he resolved to hold onto for the time being. Sensing victory, Donald Gorm MacDonald ordered up a battering ram, and, on passing close to the curtain wall, Duncan Macrae seized his chance and fired the single arrow. It embedded itself deep in the foot of the chief, who in the heat of impending victory impatiently wrenched it out. The sharp barbs severed the artery, and unable to staunch the flow of blood their chief bled to death. With the lifting of the siege Duncan harboured hopes that his action might win him the position of Constable from the grateful Chief. However, the Chief apparently thought otherwise, and in a pique Duncan left the district, after first marrying the widow of John Matheson, the former Constable of Eilean Donan.

 

As Earls of Seaforth, the MacKenzies gave their support to the Royalist cause. After the execution of Charles I the Scottish Parliament was sufficiently concerned to impose a garrison at Eilean Donan. They treated the locals very badly, and, as winter advanced, demanded that wood be provided by them. A party of thirty, led by an officer, John Campbell, and Blytheman, his sergeant, set off to enforce their demands. On being met by a deputation of ten locals there to complain, Campbell ordered his men to open fire. No-one was hurt, but passions  were inflamed . Drawing their swords the Kintail men fell upon the soldiers. A single stroke severed Campbell's head, right arm, and shoulder from the rest of his body. Blytheman was killed  at a stream, and several other soldiers  died as the remainder put to flight. In 1645 retribution of a sort occurred when Cromwell's Lieutenant, General Monk, arrived and plundering the district, set houses alight and killed one Duncan Macrae, an old soldier whose death "by the sword" was said to have been told by Coinneach Odhar.

 

In 1719 a foolhardy Jacobite plot was launched to recover the defeat of 1715 that was to result in the destruction of much of the castle.

 

For two centuries it stood as a picturesque ruin, its history and it's former grandeur embellished by all who passed by. Between 1912 and 1932 it was restored by Farquhar Macrae of Auchtertyre for it's new owner , Lt. Colonel MacRae-Gilstrap. It is said the form of the reconstruction was revealed to farquhar in a dream. It is certainly remarkable that it so faithfully follows what Louis Petit's illustration records, though the latter's drawings were not discovered until long after the reconstruction was complete."

Tune Playing: Bard Dance