Urquhart Castle stands on a promontory jutting into the dark waters of Loch Ness, in the Scottish Highlands. Its ruins, with the tower reflected in the loch, are among the most famous images of Scotland, and the site is a favourite spot for scanning the water in search of the world's most famous monster, Nessie. For centuries it was one of the largest strongholds in the country, fought over by kings, clans and rebels.
History
There was already a Pictish fort on the promontory, and according to tradition St Columba met a local chieftain here in the 6th century. The stone castle was built in the 13th century. During the Wars of Scottish Independence it changed hands several times: in 1296 it was captured by Edward I of England, then retaken by the Scots and later held by Robert the Bruce. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was repeatedly attacked and plundered by the MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles.
In 1509 King James IV granted the castle to Clan Grant, who built the great tower. In 1690, after the first Jacobite rising, the castle was garrisoned by government troops; when they left in 1692 they blew up the defences so that the Jacobites could not use it. It has been in ruins ever since, and its stones were reused by local people. For Jacobite history see also Culloden and the history of Scotland.
- 13th centuryThe stone castle is built
- 1296Edward I of England captures the castle
- 1509The castle is granted to Clan Grant
- 1692Government troops blow up the defences
- 1933Modern sightings of Nessie begin
What to see
The ruins
From the visitor centre you walk down towards the castle. You cross the bridge over the ditch and enter through the gatehouse, then walk among the remains of the great hall, kitchens, chambers and chapel. The symbol of the castle is the Grant Tower, the five-storey tower that has partly collapsed: you can climb to the top for a spectacular view along the loch in both directions. Next to the ruins stands a reconstructed trebuchet, the medieval siege engine.
The visitor centre
The visitor centre shows a short film on the history of the castle, which ends with a surprise: the screen rises to reveal the view of the ruins on the loch. A small exhibition displays objects found in excavations.
Loch Ness and Nessie
Loch Ness is about 37 kilometres long and up to 230 metres deep: it holds more fresh water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined. The monster legend goes back to a story in the life of St Columba, but its modern fame began in 1933, with a series of sightings, and with the famous "surgeon's photograph" of 1934, which sixty years later turned out to be a hoax made with a toy submarine. Despite sonar searches and DNA analysis of the water, Nessie remains hidden.
Practical information
The castle is open all year round and is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland; it is very busy in summer and booking online is advisable. The path down to the ruins is downhill. Opening times and prices are on the official website.
Getting there
- By car: along the A82, about 25 kilometres south-west of Inverness, near Drumnadrochit.
- By bus: buses between Inverness and Fort William stop outside the castle.
- By boat: Loch Ness cruises leave from Inverness and Clansman Harbour, stopping at the castle.
- By air: Inverness Airport is about 40 minutes away.
Nearby
- Drumnadrochit, with its exhibitions devoted to Nessie.
- Fort Augustus, at the other end of the loch, with the locks of the Caledonian Canal.
- The battlefield of Culloden and Eilean Donan Castle.
Tips
- How long: an hour and a half to two hours.
- When to go: all year round; in summer arrive at opening time or in the late afternoon.
- A tip: combine your visit with a cruise on the loch: seeing the castle from the water is a different experience.