his Scottish castle stands on the banks of Loch Ness in the Great Glen. The land was granted to the Durward family by the Scottish King Alexander II and a fine Norman-style castle was built on the shores of the loch. The castle passed from the Durward family to the Comyns. Urquhart was captured by Edward I during the Wars of Independence in 1296 and the defences were improved, but by 1298 the Scots had regained control of the castle. King Edward retook the castle in 1303. In 1509 King James IV of Scotland granted the castle to John Grant of Freuchie instructing him to make improvements to the castle and its interior so that it could be used as a safe haven for the local inhabitants against robbers. The castle fell into disrepair in the eighteenth century and its stone was taken to be used in local buildings.Location
Location
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Urquhart Castle
| County | TBC | Categories | Stone |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 57.3213,-4.447773 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
TBC |
| Categories |
Stone |
| Remains |
Small amount survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 57.3213,-4.447773 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
his Scottish castle stands on the banks of Loch Ness in the Great Glen. The land was granted to the Durward family by the Scottish King Alexander II and a fine Norman-style castle was built on the shores of the loch. The castle passed from the Durward family to the Comyns. Urquhart was captured by Edward I during the Wars of Independence in 1296 and the defences were improved, but by 1298 the Scots had regained control of the castle. King Edward retook the castle in 1303. In 1509 King James IV of Scotland granted the castle to John Grant of Freuchie instructing him to make improvements to the castle and its interior so that it could be used as a safe haven for the local inhabitants against robbers. The castle fell into disrepair in the eighteenth century and its stone was taken to be used in local buildings.Location Map (click to explore)
Timeline
1296
The castle on Loch Ness fell to the English. Sir William Fitz Warine was left in charge of the castle as its Constable.
1298
Sir Andrew de Moray retook the castle from the English.
1303
As part of Edward's campaign in Scotland he attacked and took control of Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness. Sir Alexander Comyn was left in change.
1308
Robert Bruce captured Urquhart Castle and placed it in the care of Sir Thomas Ranpolph, the Earl of Moray.
1398
An act of Parliament is passed which brings the ownership of Urquhart Castle into the hands of the English King.
1509
Urquhart Castle was given as a gift to the Grant family by King James IV of Scotland with the understanding that extensive building work was to be carried out. This included the construction of a new tower and supporting buildings so that the surrounding lands could be better protected.
