Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle is a castle on the east coast of Scotland, about two kilometers north of Golspie. It is the ancestral home of the Clan Sutherland and thus also of the Earl of Sutherland. With 189 rooms, Dunrobin Castle is the largest residential building in the northern Highlands.

History

The core of the building dates back to a residential tower of the 13th century, the remains of which are visible in the courtyard of the castle today. Was first mentioned as a fortress in 1401 Dunrobin but only the sixth Earl of Sutherland, Robert de Moravia. In the 17th century the old castle, two new wings were added, which were connected by a tower with a spiral staircase to the old building.

In the period 1845-1851 the castle was under George Sutherland - Leveson - Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland its present appearance, reminiscent of a French chateau. The architect was Charles Barry, who also designed the Palace of Westminster in London. Barry also designed the garden of the castle, which is modeled on the systems in Versailles.

1872 Queen Victoria stayed in Dunrobin Castle.

After the majority of the interior of the 19th century was destroyed by fire in 1915, this was re-designed by Robert Lorimer designs.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s the castle for seven years served as a boys boarding. The current owner is Elizabeth Janson, Countess of Sutherland, who inherited it in 1963.

Current usage

The garden is open all year round to the public, the castle only in the period from April to October. The interior can be visited as part of a tour. In the gardens there is also a museum with trophies of big game hunting and falconry. The castle has its own railway station on the Far North Line.