Dunscaith Castle Ruins, Isle of Skye, United Kingdom

Dunscaith Castle is named after and was the home of the warrior maiden Scáthach. The castle itself sits on an off-shore rock. There is a gap between the rock and the mainland which was once spanned by a walled bridge. This stone walled bridge then led onto a drawbridge, the pivot holes for which are still visible on the far side. Once on the other side of the drawbridge a door opened to a flight of stairs which was also sided by two walls. The flight of stairs led up to the castle.

Parts of the castle curtain wall still survive on the cliff edge but most of the inner buildings have gone. The curtain wall was about 5 ft thick. In the courtyard is a well and the remains of a stairway which once led up a tower.

Originally the castle belonged to the Clan MacDonald of Sleat, a branch of the Clan Donald or MacDonald. At some time in the 14th century it was taken from them by the Clan MacLeod and held briefly by the MacAskills, allies of the MacLeods but it was recaptured by the MacDonalds sometime in the 15th century.

In the 15th century the castle was again captured by King James I of Scotland when the Chief of the Clan Donald, Lord of the Isles was broken by King James I. The MacDonalds were allowed to keep possession of the castle. The MacDonalds abandoned the castle in the early 17th century.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Darren Carter (6 months ago)
Nice peaceful area, wildlife Saw Seals ? in the loch.

Emily D (8 months ago)
Probably would have loved this visit if the weather was good, but do not advise if it's raining and gusting. The terrain was boggy and difficult to traverse and the wind made us unsteady at the top of the small bluffs where the castle is located. The path was also not clear at all due to being flooded. Parking is nearly non existent, as this is just a local track. That being said, it was all an adventure, just wish we had had good weather to enjoy the ruins a bit more.

Piotr Paczuski (8 months ago)
Good place to visit ruins of a 1000 years old castle. The roads are narrow and twisty, so get ready for a ride. Almost no issues with finding parking spaces a bit further from the bay, but the views are brilliant.

James P (15 months ago)
Dunscaith Castle on the Isle of Skye offers a worthwhile experience despite a lack of a clear path. The presence of sheep and their "surprises" adds a touch of rural authenticity, though it requires caution. The castle itself is worth checking out, making it a notable stop for those exploring Skye's scenic landscapes.

Peter Hadfield (2 years ago)
Picturesque ruin on a rocky outcrop with fabulous views on the coast and the mountains beyond. There’s not a lot left that’s safely accessible, but the setting gets 5+ stars! A short walk from the road, which is narrow and unsuitable for parking, but there is a small parking area beside the beach a couple of hundred yards away.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Dunscaith Castle Ruins

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople