Fascinating Stories Of Urquhart Castle – Guardian Of The Great Glen
Ruins don’t get much more intriguing than Urquhart Castle, sprawling across a rocky promontory overlooking Loch Ness. This is much more than just a picturesque photo spot though. It’s the fascinating stories of Urquhart Castle that make this such an amazing place to visit.
It’s known as the Guardian of the Great Glen, the natural fault line running from Inverness to Fort William. That series of lochs was the easiest route for armies to travel, so Loch Ness badly needed defending. It’s no surprise then that there are plenty stories of Urquhart Castle in conflict!
This is one of Scotland’s most visited castles for a very good reason. Hopefully, after learning some of the castle’s history, you’ll appreciate it a little more when you visit for yourself. Then if you’re looking for more things to do around Loch Ness, this is the article for you!
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How To Reach Urquhart Castle
Sitting on the west side of Loch Ness near Drumnadrochit, there are a few different ways to visit Urquhart Castle. The vast majority of visitors will drive there but be aware that there’s limited parking. Make sure you book a ticket in advance here and include a parking space to make sure you aren’t turned away!
Alternatively, you can approach Urquhart Castle the way it was always meant to be – by boat! If you have your own transport then you can take this cruise from Dochdarroch which gives you an hour or so at the castle. Alternatively, if you want to leave from Inverness then this tour includes transport from the bus station!
What Is There To See At Urquhart Castle?
Once you’ve arrived at the visitor centre, watch the introductory film then walk out to the viewing platform. Take a moment before you walk down and look at the sign to see the history of Urquhart Castle and how it’s developed over the centuries. The ruins you can see now consist of the Upper Bailey and the Nether (lower) Bailey.
At the southern end is the Upper section and the highest part of the promontory. This is the oldest fortified section known as the citadel which gives you great views along Loch Ness. Nearby you’ll find the remains of an old dovecot which was once home to hundreds of pigeons kept for meat!
In the lower section, you’ll find the guardhouse protecting the main landward gate and almost directly opposite, the Water Gate giving access to the loch. The most prominent building in all of Urquhart Castle is the Grant Tower, looming over the water. This was built to be a comfortable towerhouse by the Grants although the remains of the Great Hall are separate and that’s where most of the entertaining would take place!
Stories of Urquhart Castle’s Pictish Chapter
The oldest stories of Urquhart Castle stretch back well over a thousand years. While we don’t have any written evidence, it’s believed that the highest part of the complex was once a Pictish fortress. It was very likely home to an important Pictish noble called Emchath.
St Columba, who founded the iconic monastery on Iona Abbey, travelled through the Highlands spreading Christianity in the 6th century. It’s said that on reaching the River Ness he encountered a group of men burying their companion who had been attacked by a water beast. Columba apparently banished the beast and that’s often said to be the first mention of the Loch Ness Monster!
Shortly after this episode, Columba was asked to visit Emchath as he lay dying in his home at Airdchartdan. The saint baptised the nobleman and his whole family and this is where they believe that happened. Part of an elaborate Pictish brooch was discovered here, adding more weight to this Urquhart Castle story!
The Wars of Independence
The story of Urquhart Castle as we know it didn’t start until the 13th century. King Alexander II realised that he needed somebody reliable to guard the Great Glen, somebody like Alan Durward. He was the King’s son in law and the man that founded the fortress we see today. Unfortunately, any peace that the new Urquhart Castle enforced didn’t last for long.
The Scottish Wars of Independence took hold of Scotland and in 1296, Urquhart Castle was soon captured by the English. While William Wallace gets all the credit in Braveheart, another man led a successful rising in the north of Scotland! Andrew de Moray was causing such a problem for the English administration that a meeting was called to discuss him in Inverness.
As the constable and his guards marched back home, Moray ambushed them! Unfortunately for the Scots, the constable survived to bar the castle gates. Even a daring midnight attack couldn’t break into these formidable walls and Moray was forced to give up. Regardless of his failure, it’s easily one of the most dramatic stories of Urquhart Castle, fit for its own blockbuster movie!
The Great Raid of Urquhart Castle
While the Scots recaptured Urquhart Castle and the Wars of Independence ended, that didn’t mean it could rest easy. Loch Ness was still part of the easiest route across Scotland and it needed defended. The powerful MacDonald Lords of the Isles would regularly sail here from their base on Islay, attacking the castle from the water.
Eventually, Clan Grant were entrusted with this royal fortress as long as they restored order to the area in the name of the King. Unfortunately, things didn’t go too well for the new defenders. Just a few years after the royal appointment, the Grants had already lost the castle to the MacDonalds, taking 3 years to win it back.
This constant fighting with the islanders culminated in one of my favourite stories of Urquhart Castle to tell. 1545 saw what’s known as “The Great Raid” where over 8000 livestock and 3000 sacks of grain were lifted from the area. The castle itself lost 12 feather beds, pots, pans, tables, chairs and even the doors with their iron locks!
A Tragic Love Story From Urquhart Caste
One man to suffer from that feud was a great Gaelic bard, Domhnall Donn MacDonald. This unfortunate character was being held in the dark, dank prison inside Urquhart Castle in the 1600s. Officially, Domhnall was being tried for cattle theft but the story is that he was held for a very different reason. This MacDonald warrior poet had fallen in love with the chief of Clan Grant’s daughter.
Domhnall knew that the Grants were hunting for him but refused to abandon his love for good. He was discovered, hiding in the hills above Loch Ness and dragged to Urquhart Castle in chains. While the bard was imprisoned, he carried on composing heart wrenching songs romanticising his own life and capture. Maybe if the words reached sympathetic ears, then they would lead to his rescue.
Sadly, there was to be no romantic escape for Domhnall and this is one of the more tragic Urquhart Castle stories. The MacDonald was executed but Mary is said to have penned her own song to remember her lost love forever.
The Jacobites Attack Urquhart Castle
By the late 1600s, the story of Urquhart Castle seemed well and truly over. Clan warfare was almost a thing of the past and so the Grants had no need to stay there any longer. Then in 1688, the first of four Jacobite Risings gripped Scotland and life changed drastically.
The Grants chose to abandon the Stuarts for the new regime and so 200 government troops garrisoned Urquhart Castle. It might have been a medieval fortress but it could clearly still do a job. When 500 Jacobites arrived to lay siege, they failed in their attempt to storm the castle. After the rising was over and the soldiers left, they blew the castle to pieces to make it useless for any future attempts.
You can still see an enormous chunk of masonry lying next to the gatehouse. Most of the smaller cut stone, along with any lead or useful timber, was pilfered by locals. That was the final chapter of Urquhart Castle’s story until Historic Scotland turned it into the visitor attraction we have today!
Where To Stay Near Urquhart Castle
If you want to explore the stories of Urquhart Castle yourself then make a weekend of it! Here are some of the best places to stay nearby:
Loch Ness Bunk Inn – For a budget option, book a bed in a dorm or a private room if you’re a group.
Balmridge House B&B – A great quality bed & breakfast in Drumnadrochit!
Loch Ness Lodge – This hotel is a little further along the loch toward Inverness but perfect for those with transport!
Kerrodown Cottage – A great value self catering cottage for four!
Loch Ness Balcony Apartment – Another good self catering option in Drumnadrochit.
Where To Eat Near Urquhart Castle
Situated halfway down Loch Ness, there aren’t endless options for where to eat near Urquhart Castle. That doesn’t mean you’re going to starve though, these are all great choices:
Fiddler’s Rest – Whether you’re here for lunch, dinner or just drinks, you’ll find brilliant Scottish pub food. In the summer there’s even a takeaway van outside!
Ness Deli – A brilliant cafe that’s surprisingly big inside, perfect place to start your day with breakfast or fill up at lunch!
Shacks Fish & Chips – Sometimes, all you want is a chippy so go grab a fish supper from Shacks!
If these stories of Urquhart Castle make you want to visit, then how about going on a Scotland’s Stories Tour?
Just click this link to make an enquiry and book your private driving tour today!
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