Eilean
Donan Castle - Former Seat of the Clan Mackenzie
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Eilean
Donan Castle, after sunset
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The beginnings of Eilean Donan 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.
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The first fortified Stronghold was established in the reign
of King Alexander II (1214-1250). In 1263 King Alexander III
gave the castle to Colin Fitzgerald (sometimes referred to
as Colin MacCoinneach), son of the Earl of Desmond and
Kildare (later to become Mackenzies) as a reward for
services in the Battle of Largs. This 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.
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Eilean
Donan Castle with reflections
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Eilean Donan
Castle, seen from across Loch Duich
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Traditionally, it is believed that in the early part of the
fourteenth century century Robert the Bruce, out of favour
with many of the clan chiefs as well as being hunted by the
English, was given refuge in Eilean Donan Castle by John
Mackenzie, Second of Kintail. Later, in 1331, the fortunes
of Robert the Bruce had changed; he had defeated his enemies
and established his position as King of Scotland. He sent
his nephew Randolph, Earl of Moray and Warden of Scotland,
to Kintail.
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The MacRaes, who formed the
bodyguard of the Chief of Kintail first became constables of
the castle in 1509. There are many stories of military feats
performed by members of the clan MacRae that gained them the
nickname: "Mackenzies' shirt of mail". During the abortive
Jacobite rising of 1719 Spanish troops hired by the
Mackenzies were billeted at Eilean Donan and the castle was
afterwards blown up. It was lavishly restored in the 1930s
and has become one of the commercial media's favourite
images of the Highlands.
Visiting Eilean Donan: www.eileandonancastle.com
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Redcastle,
Ross-shire, by the River Beauly in
1950.
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Redcastle
Tragically Redcastle, once
home of the Mackenzies of Redcastle, has suffered serious
neglect. To avoid taxes a recent owner, not a Mackenzie,
took the roof off, and within forty years the castle became
derelict.
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Redcastle is now
uninhabitable and visitors are warned not to enter the
building as it is unsafe.
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Redcastle
again, 1995.
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Kilcoy
Castle, near Strath Connon,
Ross-shire.
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Kilcoy
Castle
In 1557 Kilcoy was spelt
"Culcowy" and also "Culcolly" from the Gaelic "Cu coille"
meaning "Nook of the Wood" or , as given by one or two
authorities, "Nook of the Hazel wood". Early references to
Kilcoy may be found in the Kilravock Papers, particularly in
the charter of 26th March 1294, and the "Davach (= 416
acres) of Culcolli" is mentioned in charters concerning
Edradouer (i.e. Redcastle) during the period 1299 to 1311,
in grants to the Earl of Ross.
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Also in 1511, there was a
charter of Culcowy to Henry Stewart; and later, in 1554, to
John Stewart, son and heir apparent of Robert Stewart of
Muren.
However, actual ownership of
the property does not really become clear until the year
1605, since that was when there was a marriage settlement
pertaining to Kilcoy: this was granted to Sir James Stewart
(of Newton and Muren) and Jean Fraser (of Lovat). Records
show the marriage of James Stewart with Jean Fraser took
place on the 1st August 1603.
On 15th August 1611, the now
widowed Jean Fraser married Alexander Mackenzie, third son
of Colin Mackenzie (11th Baron of Kintail); furthermore, six
and a half years later, on 29th January 1618, Kilcoy was
granted in marriage settlement to Alexander Mackenzie and
Jean Fraser - with Robert Stewart having resigned his
interest - thus making Alexander the 1st Mackenzie of
Kilcoy. The fate of Kilcoy Castle was reputed to have been
included in one of the Brahan
Seer's prophecies
that apparently came true, see that article.
By 1846 the Castle had
fallen into a "Ruinous condition" because the roof had been
removed to avoid taxes, as was usual in those days.
Fortunately by the end of the 19th century, the
Burton-Mackenzies inherited Kilcoy, taking possession of
what was then a near total ruin in 1890. They called in an
architect: Alexander Ross also known as "The Christopher
Wren of the North" and his superb restoration and extension
of the castle saved Kilcoy for posterity.
By 1968 the Robinson family
owned the castle and although they opened the gardens to the
public, the only alterations they did to the castle was to
fit two new windows on the north side of the new wing and
have plumbing and electrical wiring fitted
throughout.
The present owners of Kilcoy
Castle have made some changes in
the content and lay-out of the grounds and open the gardens
periodically to the public.
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Ballone
Castle
Ballone Castle is a
3-storey, late 16th century, Z-plan tower house (a notable
feature is one round tower, one square) and boasts a truly
superb, cliff-edged coastal setting - overlooking the Moray
Firth - near Portmahomack, Tarbat Ness. Said to have been
built by a line of the Earls of Ross, it was first on record
in the early 17th century when belonging to the Dunbars of
Tarbat. In 1623 it was purchased by the Earls of Cromarty,
though they appear to have left it unoccupied after a couple
of generations or so, after which it fell into ruin for
several centuries. Happily, in the late 1990s, present
owners Lachie Stewart (an architect) and his wife, Annie (a
talented and very successful pottery designer), rescued
it from its ruinous state and it is now fully restored.
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Ballone
Castle
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Castle Leod - click here
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MORE INFO:
Castle Leod
Historic Buildings
Clan History
Clan Badges
Blazon of Arms (PDF)
The Brahan Seer
Roderick Mackenzie
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