Dunvegan Castle, Skye

Imposing castle, now of mainly mid 19th century appearance,

sited on rocky outcrop, linked to adjoining grounds by

parapeted causeway carried on rubble bridge, leading to

principal entrance in east elevation. Building dates extend

from 14th to 20th centuries; Robert Brown, junior, Edinburgh,

1840, and restoration by Colin Sinclair (of H & D Barclay)

Glasgow, 1939. All harled with ashlar margins and dressings.

14th century core now incorporated in 19th century drawing

room wing (north) with square corbelled and crenellated

tower. 3 storey square 16th/17th tower house (SE) with

corbelled and crenellated parapet and crowstepped caphouse.

Excepting south eastern tower house, remainder of castle

appears of mid-19th century date, roughly rectangular, 4

storeys, crenellated with corbelled turrets to all angles.

East front with entrance in form of gatehouse with octagonal

Gothick towers flanking projecting central porch with

4-centred head, recessed hoodmoulded window behind with

carved panel above; 2 storey balustraded 2 bay range links

entrance with SE tower (late 17th century balustrade). Mostly

19th century work with simple sash and case windows. Early

(probably 15th century) gateway to west (seaward approach)

with filleted cavetto moulding, simple cornice and yett.

Interior: mainly mid 19th century; impressive staircase leads

from main east entrance to 1st floor; enriched plaster

ceilings. Some datestones retained inside castle, including

one dated 1686, recording the rebuilding of the castle by

John Macleod, Lord Dunvegan, and Flora, his wife. Second

single arched ring rubble bridge over burn flowing close

beneath SE tower, carrying estate road from castle to "The

Laundry".