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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Urquhart Castle
Castle
Castle
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Urquhart Castle

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 County

TBC 

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Stone

 Remains

Small amount survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location57.3213,-4.447773 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections 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

See Also

People

  • Edward (I, King of England 1272-1307)
  • James (IV King of Scotland 1488-1513)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Related Information

  • Why build and live in castles
  • Castle development timeline
  • Keep and bailey castles
  • Castles of William the Conqueror
  • Motte and bailey castles
  • Shell-Keeps
  • Square keeps
  • Polygonal Keeps
  • Castles of Edward I
  • Parts of a castle
  • Location of lots of castles
  • Castle construction timeline

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  • Map of Castles

Related Episodes

Edward I and Scotland (click here)

Edward I and Scotland (click here)

Timeline

1296

...

Edward captures Urquhart Castle

The castle on Loch Ness fell to the English. Sir William Fitz Warine was left in charge of the castle as its Constable. ¹

1298

...

Urquhart Castle captured by the Scots

Sir Andrew de Moray retook the castle from the English.

1303

...

Edward takes Urquhart Castle

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. ¹

1308

...

Bruce takes Urquhart Castle

Robert Bruce captured Urquhart Castle and placed it in the care of Sir Thomas Ranpolph, the Earl of Moray. ¹

1333

...

Urquhart Castle is held by the Scots

Urquhart Castle was one of only five Scottish castles that resisted being captured by the English. Its Constable at the time was Sir Robert Lauder.

1398

...

Urquhart Castle becomes the King's property

An act of Parliament is passed which brings the ownership of Urquhart Castle into the hands of the English King. ¹

1509

...

Building work at Urquhart Castle

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.

1513

Quarter 4

Urquhart Castle captured

After the death of James IV at Flodden, Sir Donald Macdonald of Lochalsh, took the castle and over the following three years robbed it and the surrounding lands of all of its assets.

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. Susan Ross, The Castles of Scotland, ISBN:0-85097-184-5

    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Edward (I, King of England 1272-1307)
    • James (IV King of Scotland 1488-1513)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Related Information

    • Why build and live in castles
    • Castle development timeline
    • Keep and bailey castles
    • Castles of William the Conqueror
    • Motte and bailey castles
    • Shell-Keeps
    • Square keeps
    • Polygonal Keeps
    • Castles of Edward I
    • Parts of a castle
    • Location of lots of castles
    • Castle construction timeline

    Related Maps

    • Map of Castles

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