Dundonald Castle, an impressive medieval ruin in S.W. Scotland.


(Above image is a capture of Dundonald Castle viewed from the west.)

This evening, I am reporting on the impressive castle at Dundonald which is situated close to the Ayrshire coast, about thirty miles south of Glasgow in S.W. Scotland.

Front elevation  of castle, viewed from north.


The site benefits from a high elevation and as such dominates the local landscape and provides views out to Ben Lomond (a 3200 ft mountain about 40 miles away to the north) and the Firth (estuary) of Clyde and Isle of Arran with both of latter being to the west.

View north from the castle with village of Dundonald in foreground.



Archaeological evidence indicates the site was occupied prior to 2000 BC while a Dark Age (post 5th century AD) fortress on the site was destroyed by fire before 1000 AD.

The current fortification dates from the 1370s following rebuild of an early castle dating from around 1260.

Rear elevation, viewed from south.

Dundonald Castle was associated with the (royal) Stewart family from inception until it was sold to the Cathcart family in 1482 and then subsequently the Wallaces and Cochranes. Chief architectural feature of the castle is the medieval, barrel-vaulted ceiling.

Interior

Artist's impression of the high status living quarters during the medieval period.


 The castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and is open to the public.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more