Rait Castle Ruins, Highland, United Kingdom

Rait Castle is a ruined hall-house castle dating from the 13th century. The remains of the courtyard walls are nine feet high and also contain the remains of the Chapel of St Mary of Rait. The building was a two story building, measuring 20 metres by 10 metres. It had an unvaulted basement and an upper hall. The hall was entered from the outside and was protected by a portcullis and a drawbar. The walls of the castle are nearly 6 feet thick. A tower projects from one corner of the castle and there is a garderobe tower on the west side that projects nearly 13 feet.

The castle was originally a property of the Cumming (Comyn) family who were also known by the name of de Rait. Sir Alexander Rait killed the third Thane of Cawdor (chief of Clan Calder), and then fled south where he married the heiress of Hallgreen. The castle later passed from the Clan Cumming (Comyn) to the Clan Mackintosh and then to the Clan Campbell of Cawdor.

In 1442, when the castle passed to the Mackintoshes from the Clan Cumming a feast was held at the castle between the two families which ended in the slaughter of most of the Comyns. The laird blamed his daughter who he chased around the castle. She climbed out of a window but he chopped off her hands and she fell to her death. The castle is said to be haunted by her ghost, with no hands.

The Duke of Cumberland is said to have stayed at the castle before the Battle of Culloden in 1746, although the last recorded reference to the castle was in 1596.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Frustrated Traveller (3 years ago)
You have to drive up track to reach this castle, please drive with care as it’s used by farm vehicles and animals, there’s no proper car park but you are able to park. Lovely quiet little spot, when I visited it was full of bluebells, lots of song bird’s singing.

Brad Sears (3 years ago)
Beautiful Castle on some farmland in the middle of no where. No ideal parking, we had the driver stay with the vehicle incase someone needed us to move. Walking up to the Castle you have to open the gate and continue walking until you get to two more gates. We went to the left gate and up to the front of the Castle. The right gate went into the wooded area and we didn’t bother going that way. Remarkable piece of history.

D B (4 years ago)
Beautiful old ruins not easily accessible to all being located behind farmland, not suitable for wheelchair users.No parking as such. The Ruins themselves are steeped in history and are well worth a visit, the community who look after Rait Castle are doing a great job.

Billy Montgomery (4 years ago)
I like old ruined castles where you can imagine the walls could tell a tale or two. This castle fits the bill....thankfully I didn't see the resident ghost with her missing hands ?

David Mcdonald (5 years ago)
Greatly disappointed that due to a couple of cows in the field we were unable to access the castle, the gate is great for leaning on and looking disappointed. Ill give the cow with horns a strong 5 stars for looking intimidating.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright missbutterflies

Historic Site of the week

Saint-Émilion Old Town

Saint-Émilion is a picturesque medieval village renowned for its well-preserved architecture and vineyards. The town and surrounding vineyards was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, owing to its long, living history of wine-making, Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets.

An oppidum was built on the hill overlooking the present-day city in Gaulish times, before the regions was annexed by Augustus in 27 BC. The Romans planted vineyards in what was to become Saint-Émilion as early as the 2nd century. In the 4th century, the Latin poet Ausonius lauded the fruit of the bountiful vine.

Because the region was located on the route of the Camino de Santiago, many monasteries and churches were built during the Middle Ages, and in 1199, while under Plantagenet rule, the town was granted full rights.

Rait 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

Saint-Émilion Old Town