3 Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin castle is not only famous for its beautiful architecture. It is known worldwide because it is the seat of the Clan Sutherland, one of the most powerful clans.

It is the most northerly castle in Scotland and has 189 rooms. Its architecture makes it look like a French castle, but it has been built by an English architect, Sir Charles Barry, best known for the rebuilt of the Houses of Parliament.

Dunrobin Castle is on situated the east coast of the Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth, just next to the villages of Golspie.

The first architecture which took place in Dunrobin was a Medieval fort. The name of Dunrobin comes from an Scottish Gaelic name ; dun. It means "fort" or "city", and has given the names of London, Donegal, and even Lyon / Lugdunum. The name "robin", comes from of the earls of the castle ; Robert, 6th Earl.

It is only in the 17th century that the place saw the construction of a manor. The Jacobites invaded the castle in 1745 because the Dukes of Sutherland supported the English government. Finally, the castle was transformed into a "Scottish Baronial" type of architecture in 1845. Since 1973, the house is opened to the public, but remains a private house nonetheless, because some rooms are still used by the Countess of Sutherland and her family.

And this is precisely the most interesting point about Dunrobin castle. It has been the seat of Clan Sutherland since the 13th century. The motto of Clan Sutherland is Sans Peur, and appears on the Clan Crest. It is truly the heart of the clan, which is represented all around the world, especially in Northern America. The current chief of the clan is Elizabeth Sutherland, Countess of Sutherland. One of the castle's rooms is occupied by objects and books about the Clan. It keeps the registers of the Clan, indicating the names of all its members. Many Sutherland families come especially to Scotland in order to see those records. Unfortunately, I cannot show you a photo of it because it is forbidden to take pictures inside the castle (because it is a private house).

 The gardens :

The main inspiration for these gardens is Versailles in France. They were created by Sir Charles Barry. It practically did not change since then. Every month, the head gardener of the castle publishes a review from the gardens on the castle's website (http://www.dunrobincastle.co.uk/gardens-and-grounds/index.htm).

Daily falconry demonstrations are organised in the gardens. The birds can be seen in a devoted place of the gardens. There is also a small museum showing the trophy heads of the animals shot by family members on safaris.

2 Eilean Donan Castle

You may know this castle, for it has been used as a set for numerous films and TV shows, such as "The New Avengers", "Elisabeth, the Golden Age", or "Maid of Honor".

Here is a video decribing the castle's setting and history ;

And here is the transcription of the video :

For nearly a thousand years, the fortifications on Eilean Donan have survived Viking invasions, internal warfare, Jacobite sieges and destruction, by a government warship.

Eilean Donan Castle is located on the rugged west coasts of Scotland, at the meeting point of three sea locks, by the picturesque village of Dornie.

Standing besides, the main tourist route to the Isle of Skye, it is the most photographed castle of Scotland. But its current appearance bellies its turbulent history, and the fact that it was a ruin for almost 200 years. The name “Eilean Donan” or “Donan’s Island” dates back to the 7^th century, when an alleged force stood on the spot. In 1220, a strong castle was built here by King Alexander the 2^nd to deter Viking invasion. Ownership passed to the Mackenzies of Seaforth who appointed their allies, the Macraes, as Constables. In 1539, a long-standing feud between the Mackenzies and the MacLeod of Dunvegan came to ahead, when Donald Gorm MacDonald claimed the title “Lord of the Isles” and attacked the castle, with fifty galleons of war. MacDonald was famously killed by a single arrow, fired by Duncan Macrae, valiantly protecting the castle. Ever after, clan Macrae has been referred to, as “Mackenzie’s shirt of mail”.

In 1715, when the castle was garrisoned by Spanish troops on behalf of the British government, it was successfully besieged by the Jacobite Mackenzies. But in 1719, seeking revenge, the government send warship to bombard the castle, leaving it in ruins. Eilean Donan lay in ruins, for nearly 200 hundred years, until, in 1911, it was bought by a Macrae, who started its restoration. The reconstruction including the first bridge to the Island took 21 years. Then in 1983, the castle was handed over the clan MacRae Trust, which still looks after it.

Today, this most scenic of Scottish castles houses a notable collection of Jacobite, Mackenzie and MacRae memorabilia and a charming domestic setting. It is well for visit.

1 The Palace of Holyroodhouse

For my first article on this blog, I must give honour where honour is due. Indeed, Holyroodhouse, located in Edinburgh, is known worldwide as the residence of Her Majesty the Queen Elisabeth II in Scotland.

As that is the reason why is doesn’t hold the title of “castle”. A “castle” is a stronghold, built in order to protect a territory from invasion. A “palace” is usually a luxurious building, created only for the entertainment of its owner. 

Located in a magnificent setting, at the foot of the Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s seat (an extinct volcano), Holyrood Palace had been built next to an Augustinian abbey by James IV between 1501 and 1505.

But the Palace as we know it was built in the 1670’s by Charles II, following its earlier damage by fire. The Palace was transformed from a fortress into a large residence thanks to Scottish architect Sir William Bruce.

Famous occupants

One of the most famous residents of the Palace of Holyroodhouse is Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived there from her return to Scotland in 1561 to her forced abdication in 1567. She married both of her Scottish husbands in the palace: Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley and James Hepbrun. She also witnessed the murder of her secretary David Rizzio, in her private apartments.

Just after the French Revolution, King George III allowed Louis XVI's younger brother and future Charles X of France, the Comte d'Artois to live at Holyrood, where he took advantage of the abbey sanctuary to avoid his creditors.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has a great deal of affection for Holyroodhouse, since her husband is Duke of Edinburgh. Symbolically, the palace is located in front of the Scottish Parliament…

It is said that the ghost of the witch Agnes Sampson, who died in 1592, still haunts the Palace.

The Great Gallery

This is the largest room of the Palace. It connects the King and the Queen apartments together. Hung on the walls are a series of portraits. They represent the monarchs of Scotland. It has been used for the election of Scottish delegates to Westminster, and also as a Ball Room. Today, it is regularly used by the Queen for receptions such as the investiture of Scottish recipients of honour.

Holyrood Abbey

At the north-east corner of the Palace survive the ruins of Holyrood Abbey. Legends associate its founding with a king’s vision of a cross between a stag’s antlers. The abbey was destroyed after the raids of English armies in 1544. The roof collapsed in 1768 and it has been left as a romantic ruin since then.

The Gardens

Even though the Palace is located in a beautiful natural landscape, its immediate surroundings are perfectly controlled. The 10 acres garden today provides a magnificent setting for the Queen’s garden party, held annually in July for 8000 people. Next to the gardens is the Queen's Gallery (opened in 2002) which displays works of art from the Royal Collection.