Caisteal Maol

P3

Castle Moil (2003)

Castle Moil ( Scottish Gaelic: Maol Caisteal ), also known by the name of Dun Akyn, Dunakin Castle, Dun Haakon and Castle Dunakin, is the ruin of a castle. It lies on a hill above Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, overlooking the town Kyle of Lochalsh on the opposite mainland.

Means the Gaelic Maol term " naked " while the name Dun Akyn from the Old Norse as " stronghold of Haakon " is read.

History

According to legend, Findanus, 4th Chief of Clan MacKinnon and great-grandson of Alpin mac Echdach, Dunakin Castle is said to have brought into the possession of the family by marrying a Norman princess around the year 900. From this princess only her nickname " Saucy Mary " is known. Findanus and his bride will have stretched a heavy chain from the castle over the Kyle Akin to Loch Alsh to the more demanding of ships passing an inch can. The princess is buried in the cemetery of " Beinn na Caillich " on Skye, to be directed to Norway her face.

Even though this is a legend is: A connection to the old Norway exists. King Håkon IV gathered before the Battle of Largs in 1263 here its fleet of longships - hence the alternative name. However, his failure ended the Norwegian influence on the Scottish islands.

The castle dominated the passage of Kyle Akin between Skye and the mainland, all ships had to pass or take the often tumultuous detour around Skye around. It is an ancient seat of Clan MacKinnon. Historical documents and archaeological studies show a construction of the buildings visible today in the late 15th or early 16th century. In 1513 a meeting here of Clan Chiefs was held, in which the support of Donald MacDonald was decided as Lord of the Isles.

The last inhabitant of the castle was Neill MacKinnon, nephew of the 26th Chief. He died in 1601.

Description

The system consisted merely of a simple rectangular keep, which was originally three or four stories high. The remaining walls of the keep are up to 3.4 meters thick. Get however, only the basement, which is completely filled with debris and has not been exposed and explored. One suspects there storage rooms and a kitchen. You enter the castle today at the floor, which was once the hall or dining room. Stairs leading to the upper floors.

Storms in the years 1949 and 1989 have let fall over large parts of the remains, the castle is almost completely destroyed. The remains were saved from further decay. Excavations or further testing is planned.

Within walking distance are the ruins are reached by a trail from the port of Kyleakins. The road is sometimes very close to the water and is regularly flooded by the high tide.

Swell

• Miket, Roger; Roberts, David: The Mediaeval Castles of Skye and Lochalsh. Birlinn, Edinburgh, 2007.