Inverness in Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Ghosts of Urquhart’s Past

Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2018

1. Ghosts of Urquhart’s Past Marker

Inscription. Ghosts of Urquhart’s Past Urquhart Castle is a jigsaw puzzle with most of the pieces missing. Walls have been demolished and new ones raised many times during the last 1,500 years. Timber buildings have rotted away entirely.

Stone Free
Locals plundered the castle for building materials. They started with its roofs — 10 tonnes of stolen lead were found in nearby cottages and barns in 1717. The stonework was also robbed, leaving little to help scholars determine how its buildings were used. Contemporary records from Urquhart's long history are even more meagre.

Tidied Up
Between 1912 and 1922, after the castle passed into State care, the ruins were cleared of rubble and crumbling walls were consolidated. While well-intentioned, this work removed important clues to Urquhart's past and the shape and purpose of its many buildings.

( photo caption )
Below: The gatehouse and Grant Tower in 1878, before the ruins were consolidated.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1717.

Location. 57° 19.429′ N, 4° 26.535′ W. Marker is in Inverness, Scotland, in Highland. Marker can be reached from Scotland Route A82, 3.7 kilometers south

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of River Enrick (Scotland 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. The Stables (a few steps from this marker); Doocot (a few steps from this marker); The Water Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); A Castle for All Seasons (within shouting distance of this marker); Urquhart the Defiant (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.)

Ruins of Urquhart Castle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2018

2. Ruins of Urquhart Castle

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 284 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.