Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle is a ruined castle situated on Loch Ness. The nearest town is the Drumnadrochit about 2.7 km away.

History

First traces

First traces of settlement of the place already go back to the time before the visit of the Holy Columba in the 6th century. In Adomnán 's Life of Columba, a precursor of the fortress is mentioned as the residence of a Pictish nobles. On the site, although motion artifacts have been found in various excavations, an early Pictish Fort suspected but until now could not be detected.

The castle through the ages

Around 1230, King Alexander II had put down a revolt against his rule in the region of Moray. In order to secure his reign, he gave this region to his son Alan Durward. This immediately began the construction of a strategically located castle which was a fortress of their planning forth. Nevertheless, the system should have all the conveniences of a residence, as it was expected of a Chief of Clan Urquhart. This castle was one in its heyday, the largest in Scotland. The stone ring wall surrounded, spacious grounds and so protected the inner residential buildings of wood.

1275 Alan Durward died without heirs, the castle fell to the Comyn family. In 1296 it was conquered by the English in 1303 retaken by the Scots, but fell in the same year, again in English hands. When he became king, Robert the Bruce was able to bring the plant in 1306 finally under Scottish control. After that, the system became more and more strategic importance and was expanded from 1395 to a medieval fortress. For example, the heavily fortified gatehouse and the keep were added as the second point of defense in the north of the plant. Over the next 150 years, many of the buildings were badly damaged, however, as the " Lords of the Isles " of the Clan MacDonald is set against the crown. The northern part of the castle was strengthened because it was easier to defend a smaller plant with few people.

From 1545 the castle was abandoned as a defense in large parts, instead of the donjon renovated and converted into a residential building for a Laird. At this time a part of the defenses had already expired.

In 1600, the castle is deserted as the Lairds now preferred more comfortable residences in more acceptable areas. As a result, the castle played no strategic role more, the last garrison left her after the Scottish Jacobite rebellion of 1689 in 1692. Henceforth, the castle was left to decay. After they had been abandoned, the buildings were systematically plundered; their stones and roofs were partially removed for the construction of houses. So there were only 10 tons of stolen lead from the roof of the plant in the surrounding Cottages and Barns again.

Description

The castle from the east is approached her on a gently sloping meadow. The former drawbridge A (now a solid construction ) spans an up to 30 meters wide and up to 5 meters deep ditch. The castle is entered through the gatehouse B, one of two round towers roofed corridor. These towers included the former guardroom, a prison cell and the mechanisms to raise and lower the drawbridge.

Turning after entering the castle to the right, you will reach the upper bailey, the upper courtyard J. This is the oldest and the highest lying on the rock part of the plant here during excavations also most Celtic artifacts have been found. Only ruins of the foundations of the former buildings testify K; in most of these areas could not be clearly determined its use to this day. A round base L, however, can be identified as a brick dovecote, another area M was identified as a blacksmith. The transition between the upper and lower courtyard forms, lying opposite the gatehouse, the Water I with access to Loch Ness.

The nether bailey, the lower courtyard C gives access to the other buildings of the castle, which was built later and are to a large extent also get better. However, the courtyard is dominated by a small hill on which the foundations of a former chapel D can be found. On the right are the remains of the "Great Hall " G and H, here were the kitchen and accommodation for the lords of the castle and his guests to find.

The best preserved part of the castle was also used for the longest time, he is sometimes called its intra- close and in the German citadel. It consists of a small gatehouse unknown with additional rooms and e purpose of the bergfried like Tower house F. Its solid foundation dates from the 14th century, the floors above it were built after 1509. Protected by a further small moat enters this tower in his first floor, which once included a single large hall. The vaulted cellar underneath could only be reached from here. In the two floors above living and sleeping rooms were to be found, including the private rooms of the lords of the castle. Large fireplaces and small latrines offered some comfort. The top floor was designed militarily, with guard-rooms and sleeping rooms for the soldiers as well as some defense bays.

Urquhart Castle today

Around 1930, bought a Mr. Chewett the ruins, now Historic Scotland manages the facility. Urquhart Castle is a popular part of Scotland tours, well attended according to the ruins. The complex has a coach park and a large visitor center which not only has a small museum and a large souvenir shop, a movie theater information and a café. The facility is open year round. The ruin is located directly on the A82 and is served by buses.

Gatehouse and the keep, northern plant

Donjon, northern plant

Complete system seen from Loch Ness from