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With a dramatic background and probably built by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth ('the Great') early in the thirteenth century, the ruins of Dolbadarn Castle are dominated by a massive round-towered keep, still standing up to 50 feet (15.2m) high, with walls up to 8 feet (2.4m) thick. Access to the keep was via a removable staircase at first floor level. The castle occupies a strategic location guarding the Llanberis Pass and was seized by an English army under the Earl of Pembroke in 1282, following which it was abandoned and pillaged for building materials. It is possible it was used again during the revolt under Owain Glyndwr in the late 14th/early 15th century.
Often described as 'The Key to England', Dover Castle is the largest castle in England and dates from 11th century, though there was probably an Iron Age fort on the site and the complex includes a Roman lighthouse and Saxon church. The fortress was garrisoned until 1958 and offers a unique insight into Britain's history. A medieval court has been recreated inside the Great Tower. Underneath the castle, deep inside the famous White Cliff, are tunnels which date from medieval times. During WW2, these were the HQ for the control of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Dunkirk, and there are vivid displays illustrating this. There is an underground hospital to visit too, and a WW1 signal station. Dover Castle has appeared in several film/TV productions, including 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and 'Wolf Hall'.
Dover
Drum Castle was seat of the Clan Irvine and in the Irvine family for 650 years, from 1325, when it was granted to William de Irvine by Robert the Bruce, until 1975. It has a rich history, 17th and 19th century additions and alterations, and is surrounded by gardens and an arboretum.
Dun da Lamh (pronounced ‘doon da larve’) is a prehistoric, believed to be early Pictish, hilltop fort near Laggan in the Highlands. It sits on Black Craig, 1484 feet above sea level and 600 feet above the land below, overlooking the River Spey to the north. The fort is approximately 360 feet (110 metres) long by about 98-246 feet (30 and 75 metres) wide. Inside are shelters, believed to have been constructed by the Home Guard during WW2.
The fort’s sole defence is a stone wall, which has been cleared in places. It is constructed of fine quality stone slabs resembling bricks totalling an estimated 5000 tons which are not from the local valley. It has been skilfully made. The fort is so steep on three sides as to be impregnable and is only approachable from the west where the walls are over 20 feet thick. Dun da Lamh means ‘fort of the two hands’. The plaque on the site asks was it a frontier fortress of a great Pictish nation guarding the farmlands to the north and east; or was it something else?
Dun da Lamh can only be reached by foot and it is a strenuous walk for which you should dress appropriately and allow a couple of hours each way, depending on conditions and fitness. There are a variety of starting points, including a way-marked route from Laggan Wolftrax (as per postcode). Others suggest starting from the car park opposite the Pattack Falls Forestry Commission Car Park off the A86.
There’s little romantic or pretty about Dundonald Castle. Perched high above the village, it is a no-fuss functional and formidable 3-storey tower house inside a walled enclosure. The high-vaulted halls and gloomy prison of this powerful medieval stronghold, built in the 1370s by King Robert II, can still be appreciated. Robert was high steward of Scotland and the first Stewart monarch, whose descendant James VI would become King of England and Wales. The castle stands on the site of at least two earlier castles as well as Bronze Age and Iron Age remains.
Dundonald
Kilmarnock
The evocative ruins of Dunnottar Castle occupy a large, rocky, headland jutting into the North Sea, accessed by a narrow strip from the mainland. Though the current ruins date largely from the 15th and 16th centuries, its history goes back to the early medieval period, at least. Dunnottar was attacked by the Vikings, captured from the English by William Wallace, was famously where the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's forces, and played its part in the Jacobite Rebellions of the 18th century.
NOTE: The castle can be closed to visitors in bad weather - essential that you check their website before visiting. There is also limited car parking - the castle is not in Stonehaven itself - it's about a 20 minute walk along the coast.
Duntulm Castle, once a fortress of the MacDonalds, is an unstable ruin on a dramatic rocky location at the northern end of Trotternish, with views across the Minch to the distant Isle of Lewis. There was possibly an Iron Age fort on the site, it subsequently being fortified by Norsemen, then the MacLeods, whose rivals, the MacDonalds, were in control of by the early 17th century. Duntulm was abandoned in the 18th century. Nearby is a cairn, commemorating the MacArthurs, pipers to the MacDonalds.
Duntulm is accessible with care via a footpath off the A855. Post code is very approximate.
By Portree
Isle of Skye
Dunvegan Castle occupies a rocky promontory in the north-west of the Isle of Skye, surrounded by stunning scenery. It has been the home of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years and is packed full of history and legend. Among the heirlooms kept at the castle are the Dunvegan Cup, the mysterious Fairy Flag and Sir Rory Mor's Horn. There are also reasonably extensive gardens.
Isle of Skye
Perched on castle rock above the old town, Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland's iconic images and a must-see if you're visiting the city. Your problem will be time - the place is huge and there is a lot to see and take in. The castle was at the centre of the wars with the English and, as well as being a fortress has been a prison, Royal Palace and garrison. It was the birthplace of James VI who, as James I of England, became the first monarch of both countries in 1603.
Castle Rock was used in the Iron Age, but there is no evidence of a stronghold until the 7th century. The oldest building there now (and in Edinburgh) is the 12th century chapel dedicated to St Margaret, built by her son, David I, in his mother's memory. The Castle also includes several museums - for example the National War Museum and various regimental museums. Not to be missed - the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland.
Edinburgh
Eilean Donan simply means 'Donan's Island' - Donan was a Celtic saint who is said to have built a church there. The castle was built in the 13th century and was the stronghold of the Mackenzie clan and their Macrae allies. The Mackenzies were Jacobites and the castle was destroyed by a force of three government ships in the 18th century. What we see now is a romantic 20th century reconstruction. Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most photographed castles in Britain.
by Kyle of Lochalsh
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