A Brief History
The MacLeods are said to be descendants of Leod, son of Olaf the Black, King of the Isle of Man and the North Isles, who in 1237 inherited the islands of Lewis, Harris and part of Skye, by marriage. The Dunvegan stronghold, sitting on an impressive rocky crag is said to have been built by Leod himself. When constructed Dunvegan Castle, the landward side, being more vulnerable to attack than the loch-side, was built as a sheer wall with few openings. It remained this way until the eighteenth century when, after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, a landward entrance was cut. Up to this period the only means of entry was through a sea gate guarded by a portcullis, built 1280. Another important feature which gave Dunvegan Castle and those within its great strength, was the existence of a fresh water well. With this priceless resource added to the impregnability of its position, Dunvegan Castle presented a forbidding obstacle to the enemies of the Chiefs of MacLeod.
Between 1340-60, a strong keep was built by Malcolm, third chief of Dunvegan. In about 1500 the Fairy Tower was constructed. The most extensive restoration was undertaken in the ninteenth century when the entire castle was modernised, and the corner turrets and battlements were introduced.This 'romantic restoration' was carried out by the 25th Chief between 1840 and 1850 to the plans of Robert Brown of Edinburgh at a total cost of £8,000. Underneath this outer skin however there remains a series of complete buildings, each of a different date. The combined weight of this building debt eventually added to the problems associated with the potato famine
Dunvegan Castle is said to be the oldest inhabited castle in Northern Scotland, having been occupied by the Chiefs of MacLeod continuously, for over seven centuries and still today remaining the Ancestral home of the present chief, Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod, the 30th of the line, and his family. Between 1938-40, a further rebuilding programme was undertaken after a serious fire destroyed much of the south wing. The castle combines six separate buildings, five of which are open to the public. The sixth building forms the administrative and domestic offices of the present Chief and his family.
The castle contains a number of important clan relics; among them is the Fairie Flag of Dunvegan and the Dunvegan Cup. The Fairie Flag has two cited origins, its arrival is said to due to Fairies and Crusaders. The flag is reputed to have been given to an early chief by his fairy wife. Whenever it is unfurled it is supposed to grant victory to the Clan MacLeod. It seemed to work at the battles of Glendale in 1490 and Trumpan in 1580. Historians have suggested that despite its legendary history, the "Fairie Flag" is likely to have been captured from a Saracen on a crusade. But although the fabric is silk from the Middle East, it is dated between the fourth and seventh centuries A.D; at least four hundred years before the First Crusade. Some speculate that the material is part of the war banner of Harold Hardrada, King of Norway, killed in 1066. Nowadays, although a frail relic it is an attractive and interesting piece of history.
The motto of Clan MacLeod is "Hold Fast". This originates from Malcolm the third chief (1296-1370) who was confronted by a mad bull in Glenelg. Armed only with a 'Dirk' he slew the beast. As a souvenir of his prowess he retained one of the Bull's Horns. This horn is used in ceremony when each male heir has to prove his manhood by successfully draining this horn filled with Claret.
In the castle exhibition, you may also see some of the belongings of Flora MacDonald, including her Stays, her Pin-Cushion with the names of those who suffered in the '45, a Lock of Prince Charlie's Hair, a list of her children, and a small portrait of herself. Although the Chief of the Macleods did not support the ’45 uprising, many in his clan did so. After the Prince’s escape, Chief Macleod was one of those searching for for Charlie. As fate would have it, Flora MacDonald’s daughter married the tutor to the next, young Chief and the family lived in Dunvegan
The MacCrimmon family have been the hereditary pipers to MacLeod for thirteen generations. Across the loch from Dunvegan you can see Borreraig, the croft given by the Chief to the MacCrimmons and where they erected the celebrated Piping Collegehe finest pipers in Scotland would come to receive tuition from the famous MacCrimmons thereDunvegan remains a place of great renown in the world of piping. Each year there is a piping recital, in honour of the ancient tradition of the Chanter upon which the Fairy Lady assured the first MacCrimmon that he would play the finest music in the world. Even today pipers from all over Scotland and indeed the world make a very special pilgrimage to Dunvegan Castle where the hereditary pipers to the MacLeod Clan Chiefs once played the finest pipe music in Scotland for thirteen generations.
Visiting
Currently visitors can enjoy tours of the castle and highland estate, take boat trips on Loch Dunvegan to see the seal colony or fish, stay in one of its estate cottages and browse in one of its four shops. Activities in the area range from walking, fishing, sightseeing and enjoying the estate’s Cuillin mountain range.
www.dunvegancastle.com
MacLeod Estate (Dunvegan Castle) Dunvegan House Dunvegan Isle of Skye IV55 8WF T: 01470 521206 F. 01470 521205 E:. |