This afternoon I am posting some images taken during a recent visit to Doune Castle, which is a well preserved and authentic medieval castle which featured in the film 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'.

The castle is protected by the River Teith on the west and by the Ardoch Burn on the east.

The castle sits on the site of an earlier earthwork fortification. It was built by Robert Stewart and subsequently became a hunting lodge for the Stewart Court. Doune has experienced many changes and activity including:

• A Royal fortress in the 15th century
• A Hunting Lodge
• A Dower house for three Stewart queens.
• Stayed loyal to Mary Queen of Scots until 1570.
• Under control of Earls of Moray since 1590.
• Occupied by garrisons of redcoats in 1689 and 1715.
• Captured by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745.
• A prison for soldiers captured at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746.
• Restoration in 1883.
  

This castle is close to Stirling and worth a visit.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 8:48 AM  0 comments

Today I was on the last leg of a Scotland tour which included a visit to the famous Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness. The visit coincided with a heavy snow storm but that did not upset enjoyment of the visit.

There was fortifications at the Urquhart site back in prehistory but the present ruins date from around AD 1275 under the powerful Comyns.Subsequently the castle experienced a chequered history including:

• Garrisoning by the English in 1296
• Attack by Robert the Bruce in 1306
• Embellishment and re-build by the Stewarts by 1400
• Capture by the MacDonalds in 1452
• Plundering by clansmen in 1544-45
• Slighting of the defences afetr a Jacobite uprising in 1689.
  

This was just one leg of a great 3 day tour.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:05 PM  0 comments

This evening I am presenting some images of Cawdor Castle, which is located near Inverness. The castle has a tenuous connection with Shakespeare's Macbeth (Thane of Cawdor).

This is a classic medieval castle with tower and drawbridge. It is open to the public where visitors can view the sitting room, dungeon, freshwater well and kitchens. Contents include paintings, tapestries, furniture and books.

The gardens are of great interest also, both formal and riverside.There is also a maze.

Here is the Golf Club 'Club House'.

Avenue in the gardens
Gardens and maze
View of the castle
View of the formal gardens

Overall, worth a visit if in the area.The gardens and quite fascinating.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:30 PM  0 comments

This evening I am presenting some images of Dundonald Castle in Ayrshire, which has connections with the Cochrane family.

There is evidence of defence/occupation on this site dating back into prehistory.

The present castle originated as a fortified Tower House built for King Robert II in 1371 and was used as a residence by the Stewart kings through to about 1520. Robert II died at Dundonald in
1390.

The remains of the castle are accessed by a steep climb which is worth the effort as the view can be spectacular.

A visit to this castle fits in nicely with a tour from Glasgow taking in Burns Cottage and Culzean Castle.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 9:57 AM  0 comments

This evening I am presenting some images of Linlithgow Palace. This is accessible from Edinburgh.

The Palace is now a romantic ruin, having been destroyed by fire in 1745, possibly due to a cooking fire left by a retreating Jacobite soldier.

The Palace was a favourite of the Stewart monarchs from James I with both James V and Mary, Queen of Scots being born in the Palace.

Features worthy of note are the Great Hall and Chapel (late 15th century). The qaudrangle has a richly carved 16th century fountain.

This attraction is well worth a visit. It benefits from being situated in a park close to the Linlithgow Loch.

Gallery

The fountain

The Great Hall


Outer Gate
There is something for all interests here, photographers, students of architecture, historians and even somewhere for the children to play!

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:04 PM  0 comments

This magnificent castle is built of local pink sandstone. It was constructed by the 1st Duke of Queensberry during the period 1679-91 and was superimposed upon the 14th/15th century Douglas stronghold. The architects are believed to have been Robert Mylne or his son-in-law James Smith.

This castle (palace?) houses a celebrated art collection and is set in the huge Queensberry Estate with a focus on wildlife conservation and landscape enhancement.

Visit this castle with Catswhiskerstours in context of a tour of Dumfriesshire and the Borders.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:14 PM  0 comments

This afternoon I am presenting a few images of Culzean Castle which is located about 60 mins south of Glasgow via a scenic drive along the Ayrshire coast. It is possible to link in a visit to the Castle with a visit to Robert Burns' birthplace.

Culzean Castle is really a grand house. It benefits from a magnificent location on the coast and sits in a huge estate open to the public. So, it is possible to spend the whole day there-weather permitting!!

The castle is an 18th century mansion designed by Robert Adam for the Kennedy family. There is also an interesting garden.

Images below are of the castle and grounds.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 4:10 AM  0 comments

Today, I have collated some images of a tour of Glamis Castle. This is relatively close to both Edinburgh and Glasgow and well worth a visit. (Note that Glamis is pronounced Glarms.)

Glamis Castle for more than 600 years been associated with the Royal Family, ever since it was gifted to them by King Robert II in 1372.

The castle is set in delightful grounds with a small herd of photogenic Highland Cattle. Here are a few images.

Cattle sheltering from the sun.

View of gardens
View of Glamis Castle from approach road.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:33 PM  0 comments

Here are some images of Castle Campbell. This dates from the 14th C and was probably built for the Stewart family and subsequently owned by the Campbells of Argyll. The castle was partly destroyed by Royalist forces during the Civil War in 1654 and never re-built. This is an important Tower House and well worth a visit. On a clear day the view is fantastic.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 2:04 PM  0 comments

Today, I have obtained copyright approval to place on my website a tour covering a tour of Tower Houses in Scotland's smallest county:

• Clackmannan Tower-14th century
• Menstrie Castle-1560
• Castle Campbell-14th century
• Alloa Tower-14th century
• SauchieTower-15th century

So, watch out for new content on the castles page of my website. Below is a pic of one of the featured castles-Castle Campbell.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:54 PM  0 comments

Following a recent visit to China, Scotland's First Minister has initiated the twinning of Angus domiciled Glamis Castle with China's Great Wall. Glamis Castle has history dating back to at least 1372 when the castle was presented to the Lyon family, ancestors of the British Royal Family, by Robert the Bruce.

Visit Glamis Castle with catswhiskerstours

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 5:04 AM  0 comments