Built on the shores of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle is a vibrant testimony to Scotland’s troubled past. Magnificent, it is one of the most emblematic sites of the region and attracts thousands of visitors every year to stroll through its ruins. A must-see tourist site if you want to immerse yourself in the history of the Highlands!
Urquhart castle – © Sergii Figurnyi
Although the origins of the castle remain a mystery to this day, researchers believe that a wooden fortress was already in place between the 5th and 11th centuries.
But the castle’s destiny became clear during the Scottish Wars of Independence (1296-1328), when a wooden castle was built in Urquhart by the Earl of Atholl, who was supporting the English king against the Scottish king, Robert the Bruce.
In 1372, an Urquhart Castle was built of stone by the head of the Urquhart clan. Standing on the shores of Loch Ness, it was an impregnable fortress, strategically designed to avoid enemy sieges.
However, the castle changed hands several times during its history and was the scene of several battles and sieges.
It was the last Scottish castle to be built before the invention of gunpowder. In 1689, during the Jacobite uprising, it was the last Scottish castle to be taken by the Royal Army. It was then abandoned and left to decay, hence its current state of ruin…
Le Urquhart castle et le Loch Ness – © Sam
Urquhart Castle is one of Scotland’s most famous castles and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Highlands.
Located near the town of Urquhart, on the shores of Loch Ness, the castle is open to the public year-round.
For the record, it is an excellent example of medieval Scottish fortified architecture. Perfect to project yourself in the Middle Ages, and better understand how people lived in this type of building!
Visitors can explore the castle’s ruined towers, the parapet walk and the cannon emplacements. There are also trails around the site that lead to the loch and one of the loch’s islands, Eilean Urquhart.
As you walk through the ruins, you will discover the different parts of the castle: drawbridge, bailey, chapel, inner courtyard, Grant Tower, Great Hall, Kitchen, dungeon, forge, etc.
Although you can’t see all the locations clearly because of the state of the fort, you will learn about the life of the time, the traditions, as well as the great dates that marked the castle.
It takes at least 45 minutes to get a feel for the place. The proximity of Urquhart Castle to Loch Ness lends a serious and romantic charm to the building. It offers magical and timeless landscapes, which you should absolutely take pictures of!
Urquhart Castle is open year-round but is closed on certain dates throughout the year, so be sure to check their website for more information. Visitors can park behind the castle, but there is a fee for this privilege. Visitors can also walk to the castle from the nearby village, Drumnadrochit, which is a pleasant walk around the loch.
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