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Isle of Skye - Castles, Cathedrals,
Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
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Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today. Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites,
re-enactments,
Roman and Norman forts and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
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Here we try to list properties in
private ownership but open to the public (even if only
occasionally) as well as those in the care of the
National Trust or English/Scottish Heritage.
We know that not all the
properties in Isle of Skye are listed. Please help us
make this guide comprehensive by giving details of
missing attractions
here.
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Knock Castle
Broadford Road, Teangue, Armadale, Isle of Skye
Also known as Caisteal Chamuis (Castle Camus),
Knock Castle is located just off the main
Broadford road on the way to Armadale (easily
visible from the road). Only ruins are left of
this old MacDonald stronghold but it is said to
be haunted by a 'Green Lady'. Some of the stone
was removed in 1825 to build Knock Farm.
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Caisteal Maol
Kyleakin, Isle of Skye
Opposite Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye toll
bridge, Caisteal Maol sits on a small island
just to the east of Kyleakin. The name of the
village comes from 'kyle' - the narrow strait of
water between Skye and the mainland - and 'akin'
after the Norwegian King Haakon IV who sailed
through here in 1263 on his way to defeat at the
Battle of Largs which ultimately decided the
ownership of the Hebrides. Near the main car
park in Kyleakin, take the gravel path up to the
cross on the hillock as it is a viewpoint where
you will get some good photos. It is thought
that a Norwegian princess started the first toll
here - by stretching a chain across the strait
and stopping boats getting through without
paying. Known as Saucy Mary, she is reflected
with her name in the village today! Tradition
says that she built Caisteal Maol when she was
married to one of the MacKinnon chiefs. It is
known to have been built around 1490-1500 and
was at one time called Dunakin (Hakon's fort).
Bits of the castle collapsed in 1949 and 1989
but the remaining walls have now been secured to
prevent further collapse.
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Duntulm Castle
26 miles north of Portree
Abandoned around 1730 by the MacDonald's, it now
lies in ruins close to the sea. It is hoped that
a community trust will be able to take over
ownership of the castle and make it safer for
visitors by consolidating the decaying walls.
The project would cost up to half a million
pounds and would also improve car parking
facilities and the footpath. The site attracts
some 40,000 visitors a year and local people are
keen to maintain it as a tourist attraction
which will be safer to visit than it is in its
present condition. It is said to be the home of
piping and a memorial cairn commemorates this
fact. Duntulm apparently means the fort on the
green grassy headland.
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Dunvegan Castle
Isle of Skye, IV55 8WF
Tel: 01470 521206 Fax:
01470 521205
E-mail:
enquiry@dunvegancastle.com
Web:
www.dunvegancastle.com
Dunvegan Castle has been the stronghold of the
Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years and it
remains their home. Built on a Rock once
surrounded entirely by salt water, it is unique
in Scotland as the only house of such antiquity
to have retained its family and its roof
throughout the centuries, surviving the extremes
of feast and famine, the intermittent periods of
warring with neighbouring clans, and the immense
changes of social, political and economic life
through which the Western Highlands and Islands
have passed. The Castle Gardens are open all
year round and will prove of considerable
interest to many, following paths through
woodland glades, past shimmering pools and burns
fed by a cascading waterfall. Stroll through the
formal round garden, stand and admire the many
Rhododendrons, numerous in their variety. The
Castle Gardens were originally laid out in the
18th century and considerable replanting and
landscaping provides a legacy which future
generations can enjoy and admire.
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St Mary's Church
Viewfield Square, Portree, IV51 9HB
Tel: 01478 613227
E-mail:
macneiljames@hotmail.com
Web:
www.rcskye.co.uk
One of two catholic Churches on the isle of
Skye. The website represents both St.
Maolrubha's, Broadford and St. Mary's Church and
welcome visitors to the island.
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Sleat & Strath Free Church
Free Church Manse, Isle of Skye, Teangue, IV44
8RE
Tel: 01471 822341
E-mail:
strath@fccontinuing.org
Please contact the Minister, Rev Allan I M
Maciver BSc. for further information regarding
the church.
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Armadale Castle Gardens
and The Museum of the Isles
Armadale, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV45 8RS
Tel: 01471 844305 or 844227 Fax:
01471 844275
E-mail:
office@clandonald.com
Web:
www.clandonald.com
Family research study centre, historical
exhibits, video show, shop, restaurant, 40-acre
gardens and nature trails, adventure play area.
Suitable for disabled access. The gardens around
the ruins of the old castle are open all year.
The Visitor Centre is open daily 9.30am - 5.30pm
from en March to end October.
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To join or recommend an establishment to
us, please
contact Tourist Net UK
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