One of my favorite days on my recent trip to Scotland was exploring Isle of Skye. It was a bright, sunny day and warm by Scottish standards. 
We passed the Sligachan Bridge and drove to Dunvegan Castle on the northwest side of the isle. 
The MacLeods, lords of the isles, have lived at Dunvegan for over 700 years, longer than any other line of clan chiefs have possessed their lands and castle. Leod was the youngest son of the last Viking king of the Isle of Man and the Hebrides. In the 1200s he possessed a large portion of the Hebrides. In 1340 the third clan chieftain, Malcolm, built the large square tower at Dunvegan. 
The tall Fairy Tower was added in 1500 by Alasdair, the 8th clan chieftain. The current look and design of the castle dates from 1840-50.
The MacLeods, lords of the isles, have lived at Dunvegan for over 700 years, longer than any other line of clan chiefs have possessed their lands and castle. Leod was the youngest son of the last Viking king of the Isle of Man and the Hebrides. In the 1200s he possessed a large portion of the Hebrides. In 1340 the third clan chieftain, Malcolm, built the large square tower at Dunvegan. The tall Fairy Tower was added in 1500 by Alasdair, the 8th clan chieftain. The current look and design of the castle dates from 1840-50. Upon arriving we found the landscape and gardens beautiful, lush and colorful. Thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream, less hardy plants can grow here. Below is a photo of heather.
The castle was being repaired which didn’t bother me. I’m glad to see important historic buildings being taken care of. We weren’t allowed to take photos inside but I enjoyed the many paintings, old weapons, furniture and the historical atmosphere of the rooms. I was glad to see the Fairy Flag on display.
The Fairy Flag (below) is a tattered and worn banner of silk from the Middle East or Far East. It is said to have mysterious, magical powers to protect the clan during times of war or danger. Legend says the flag was presented to one of the MacLeods by a fairy. One source says it dates from the 4th – 7th centuries. Another says it is at least a thousand years old. (The photo below was taken in the 1920s.)
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Another important relic at the castle is Sir Rory Mor’s horn, a drinking horn (above). Legend says before a chieftain can be instated and to prove his manhood, he must drink a horn full of wine without stopping and without falling down.
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Outside in the back were beautiful views over Loch Dunvegan and steps that led down to the sea gate (above). We also observed MacLeod’s Tables, beautiful flat topped mountains, (below) along the way.
Nicole
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BEAUTIFUL!!! Great pictures, thank you so much for sharing them!!! Dunvegan has been one of my favorite Scottish castles and their clan has a fascinating story. One of these days I'll get there!
Beautiful pictures! Dunvegan is one place I still haven't seen, but your post makes me want to go even more. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Eliza!! I hope you get to visit soon. I wish we'd had more time to explore the gardens and landscape. I understand there are a couple of waterfalls I didn't get to see. Also a boat ride would be fun. Yes, the clan really does have a fascinating history.
Thanks Lexi!! Yes, you must go. It's really a wonderful place.
What beautiful pictures!!! This castle looks amazing. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the Isle of Skye on my last trip, was only miles away but we got hit with a blizzard and so my dad didn't want to go any further. I was disappointed, but understood!!! I hope to get there one day!!!! Thanks so mjuch for sharing!!!
Andrea
Thanks Andrea!! I wouldn't want to go there in a blizzard either. But I hope you get to visit soon! Isle of Skye is one of my favorite places.
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing!
I love Scotland and the islands. A truly magical place.
Thanks so much, Shirley! Yes, it is a magical place!
WOW WOW WOW is all I can say, Nicole. What gorgeous photos - my favorite is the bridge with the scenery all around it. You did good!!!
Glad you survived the roads and the driving. Sounds like you did have a few adventures, but you lived to tell us about them.... Cannot wait to see more and hear more about your trip.
Thanks so much Paisley!! Glad you liked them. I love that bridge too and wish I could've gotten more pictures of it. Driving was definitely an adventure. LOL
You took some beautiful pictures, Nicole.
The castle looks amazing and such fascinating history. I like that the new chieftain had to drink a full horn of wine in order to prove his manhood. One hell of a glass of wine!
Maybe someday I will be able to make it to Scotland myself.
Thank you so much for sharing! The pictures are beautiful!!!
Makes me want to go there even more! Glad you made it there and back safely!
Beautiful pictures, Nicole! As a side note, my hubby is actually Clan MacLeod. Although he's primarily English, he's 1/4 Scottish thanks to his grandmother Beatrice. We've enjoyed visiting the Isle of Skye, too :)
Leigh
Casey, thanks! So glad you liked them! They really do have an interesting history. I hope you get to visit one day soon!
Thanks Sarah!! I'm glad you like the pics! I'm a photo nut and drove my friends crazy wanting to take pics of everything. LOL Hope you get to go to Scotland one day soon!
Leigh, thanks! How cool your husband is Clan MacLeod! Wonder if they'd let you stay in the castle on your next visit? That would be amazing.
Have you ever seen such glorious country? Hubby and I just returned from Scotland and Ireland. I'd return there in a heartbeat! *sigh*
As always, your photographs are gorgeous! And in reading your post, wow...I'll bet story ideas hit you from every direction!
Great job capturing some of the scenery. My fave is the first. I've been to Skye but I don't remember seeing the castle. My husband is not into history but next time I go I'll be more assertive.
I enjoyed visiting Dunvegan through your lovely photos, Nicole. Such dramatic scenery and history. Looking forward to the next installment!
Great pics, Nicole. I'm so jealous. These pictures are so beautiful and made my day. I really need to go there. Wish I could get the Linky thing to work with wordpress.
Great photos, Nicole. I loved the Isle of Skye. It really feels like you are closer to the sky for some reason. Were the seals there when you went? When I was there they were covering all the patches of land outside the water gate. They were pretty loud too :-)
Love the photos of Dunvegan Castle! So much wonderful history. I hope you incorporate some of the info - like the fairy flag in future stories.
Gorgeous pictures, Nicole. For some reason, looking at them makes me wonder about how we've complicated our lives with "stuff". Thanks for sharing, it was like a breath of cool, fresh air.
Jen T.
Maeve, It's breathtakingly beautiful! I look forward to seeing your pics.
Randy, thanks! And, yes, that's true about the story ideas! Especially since I've been writing about fairies of late.
Carly, thanks! Yes, definitely let him know what you want to see. If he's into old weapons, there are plenty on display.
Pat, thanks! I agree with you about the scenery and history.
Mary, thanks! Yes, I hope you get to go! It's well worth it.
Alexis, thanks! I agree about being closer to the sky on Skye. Especially if there are clouds. Couldn't believe the clear beautiful weather. One person said it was the summer they didn't have. I looked for seals but didn't see any. Bummer. I wish they'd been outside the sea gate. I bet that was an amazing sight.
Liz, thanks! I felt very inspired there, from the setting and the history. Hopefully some of the info will make its way into one of my stories.
Jen T., thanks! That is true that life seems simpler in a wonderful way on Isle of Skye and in most of the Highlands or wild north. It's like stepping back in time.
Really beautiful, Nicole. Thanks for sharing your vacation pictures--I so want to go.
OMGosh, Nichole! Absolutely gorgeous and of particular interest to me, since the Scottish side of my ancestors are supposed to have come from the Hebrides Island.
Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful photos! It was windy and rainy the day we were there, so I love seeing your nice, clear photos. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of a wonderful holiday!
Thanks Tracey!! I hope you get to go explore Skye!
Very cool, Julie! I'd love to explore all of the beautiful Hebrides.
Thank you, Caroline! I know what you mean. The first time I visited Skye it was rainy and windy too. We had a wonderful surprise with the weather on our recent visit.
These are some amazing pictures! You know I love the castles. I'm glad you had such a good trip.
Thanks so much, Vanessa!! It was great!
Super pictures of the castle! What made it interesting to me was that some of the owners were in residence while we viewed the castle!!! :) What made it sad for me was my camera's battery was dead the whole time we were on the Isle of Skye! argh!!! Glad you got great pictures!!!
Isn't just the coolest thing to stand in a place you know harks back centuries and holds soooo much history? I loved that about the UK and Ireland in general. My ancestors were Anglo Saxon and Irish on My father's side. Now I'd like to travel to Germany and Austria tour some of the castles there.
Terry, yes it was fascinating that the same family is still in residence after 700 years. I forgot about your camera battery! I'll have to send you some pics!
Barbara, yes the history of Dunvegan and the MacLeods was fascinating and inspiring! I hope you get to travel to Germany and Austria also! I have some German ancestors myself.