Duart Castle, Scotland

 

Stirling Castle, Scotland

 

East Lomond Hill in Fife, Scotland

 Reconstruction of the Iron Age hillfort atop East Lomond Hill in Fife, Scotland. Artist: Bob Marshall. Produced for Fife Coast & Countryside Trust (FCCT).

Kilchurn Castle, Scotland

 

STONE COTTAGE, SCOTLAND (18TH CENTURY)

 STONE COTTAGE, SCOTLAND (18TH CENTURY)

Tucked in the green heart of the Scottish Highlands, this stone cottage from the 18th century hums with pastoral solitude. Its thick walls of rough granite and thatched roof speak of hands that shaped survival from the land.

Moss creeps along the stones like memory, and wind weaves through grass like an old song. In its silence, one hears the echo of hearthfire and the whisper of vanished lives. How long can warmth linger after footsteps fade?

Duntrune Castle, Scotland

 

Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Blackness Castle

The Ship That Never Sailed, otherwise known as Blackness Castle, juts out into the Firth of Forth in a domineering fashion. Built in the 15th century, this was an important stronghold halfway between the royal centres of Stirling and Edinburgh, guarding the port that served nearby Linlithgow Palace.

It's shaped like a ship, ready to leap out into the water with a central tower like a giant, stone mast, angular curtain walls and even the hint of a prow and stern. If it feels a little imposing, that's probably because Blackness spent most of its working life as a state prison.

The central tower was for those of higher rank, albeit still unwilling guests, while the north tower by the sea had a special pit for less fortunate souls. Twice a day, while the tide was high, their cell would slowly fill up with seawater. It’s unclear which of these inner prisons held James Kirkcaldy in 1573, a man with terrible timing.

After Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate, the garrison at Blackness stayed loyal to her with Alexander Stewart in charge. Or at least that’s what James Kirkcaldy thought when he sailed up to the walls on his return from France carrying weapons, ammunition and money for the Queen’s cause.

It turned out that Alexander had recently swapped sides, coming to favourable terms with Mary’s opponent Regent Morton. James was welcomed in as a returning hero, but it was all a ploy!

He found himself led straight to a cell instead of a bedroom. The confused captain was clapped in chains, his cargo confiscated and the keeper of Blackness trotted off to Edinburgh with the good news.

Unfortunately for him, James was a very persuasive character. From his cell, he managed to bend the ear of the guards and successfully converted the entire garrison back to supporting Mary.

When Alexander returned, he had no idea that Blackness Castle was now under the control of his former prisoner. It was almost a carbon copy of James’ arrest, with the keeper of the castle walking straight into his own jail cell!

Dunnottar Castle, Scotland.

 

Dunnottar Castle, Scotland.

Inveraray Castle, Scotland

 

Inveraray Castle, Scotland

St Conan’s Kirk, Scotland

 

St Conan’s Kirk, Scotland

Dundaff Castle in the Carron Valley is Scotlands

Did you know that castles as we know it are a norman concept that began with the Motte and Bailey style keep. 

The Motte as seen here is the main fortified structure in essence the Lords keep situated on an artificial mound. 

The bailey the lower part would act almost as a village or town below the motte and would comprise of Stables, grain stores, armourer and various other necessary buildings.

Both the motte and bailey along with the outer and inner palisade walls would be completely wooden

During the Scottish wars of independence most of the castles referenced would have been made of wood

The stone versions again originating from France started to replace The Motte and Bailey style about this time

In fact some stone castles look alot like their previous motte and bailey castles only with a stone Curtain wall surrounding them

Sir John De Graeme's Castle was a Motte and Bailey style fortifications how ever it is a rare Square version rather than the standard round as pictured...

Dundaff Castle in the Carron Valley is Scotlands best preserved Square motte and bailey castle....