Dunyvaig Castle

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The ruins of Castle Dunyvaig

Dunyvaig Castle, also Dunivaig or Dunyveg Castle or Gaelic Dun Naomhaig, is a ruined castle on the Scottish Hebridean island of Islay.

Location

The ruin is located at the entrance to the sheltered bay Lagavulin Lagavulin Bay near on the southern coast of the island. It is given on a raised boss on the seafront opposite the distillery Lagavulin. This strategic position allows the monitoring of the marine portion between the Kintyre Peninsula and the Northern Ireland County Antrim.

Description

When is the earliest building was built at this position is not known. The oldest parts of today's ruins date back to the 13th century. During this time a umfriedeter, irregularly shaped courtyard was probably built. There are ruins of a castle, which is estimated to be the 15th century, while most of today's existing ruins date back to the 16th century.

History

Dunyvaig Castle was once the headquarters and the seaport of the Clan MacDonald, as they ruled as Lords of the Isles on Islay and the surrounding Hebrides Islands. 1493 lost the MacDonalds their rule to James IV and Dunyvaig Castle passed to the MacIans of Ardnamurchan. 1519 leased the MacDonalds the building before they went in 1543 to the Clan Campbell. Two years later leased again the MacDonalds Dunyvaig Castle. In the 17th century the castle came into the possession of the Clan MacDonald. Later Covenanters besieged under David Leslie Dunyvaig Castle and took it eventually. Clan Campbell of Cawdor, eventually occupying the castle and lived in it until Hugh Campbell was to tear down the walls 1677 and moved to Islay House.