Inverness in Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
A Castle for All Seasons
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2018
1. A Castle for All Seasons Marker
1. The Pictish Hill Fort
The first defences could date from before St Columba's visit in about AD 580. Vitrified rock, possibly from ramparts encircling the southern summit, was found here. 500s
2. The First Castle
The nobleman Alan Durward probably built a castle on top of the hill fort in the 1220s. A stone 'shell keep' most likely protected the timber buildings from which Durward wielded his authority. 1200s
3. The Medieval Fortress
The castle became a strategic fortress in the Wars of Independence. Its mighty gatehouse and donjon tower, built to the north of the citadel, defied the English invaders. 1300s
4. The Lochside Refuge
Many of the castle's buildings were ruined during 150 years of struggle between the MacDonald Lords and the Crown. The citadel was refortified as it was easier for a small force to defend. 1400s
5. The Laird's Residence
The Grants wanted a comfortable, defensible home appropriate for a laird. They rebuilt the donjon as a tower house and largely abandoned the castle south of a wall between the gatehouse and the water gate. 1500s
Topics. This historical
this page online
Location. 57° 19.42′ N, 4° 26.559′ W. Marker is in Inverness, Scotland, in Highland. Marker can be reached from Route A82, 3.7 kilometers south of River Enrick (Route A831), on the left when traveling south. Located at Urquhart Castle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Inverness, Scotland IV63 6XL, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Urquhart the Defiant (a few steps from this marker); Doocot (a few steps from this marker); Ghosts of Urquhart’s Past (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stables (within shouting distance of this marker); The Water Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); The Service Close (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Raid of 1545 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Inverness.
Also see . . .
1. Urquhart Castle. (Submitted on December 10, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Urquhart Castle on Wikipedia. (Submitted on December 10, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2018
2. A Castle for All Seasons Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
