Ardvreck Castle

Ardvreck Castle is a ruin which sits on a promontory in Loch Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland. This is one of the most hauntingly beautiful areas of Scotland. The castle was built by the MacLeod Clan in the 1590s. The MacLeods had control of this area from the late 14th Century. The most famous tale relating to this castle involves James Graham, Marquis of Montrose. He was captured and imprisoned here in 1650 then later taken to Edinburgh and executed. He was a Royalist fighting on the side of Charles I against the Covenanters. Having lost a battle nearby, he sought refuge with the MacLeods. Neil MacLeod was away and apparently his wife Christine had Montrose imprisoned.

Ardvreck was attacked and taken by the MacKenzie Clan in 1672. They also took all the Assynt lands. They lived here at the castle until 1726 when they built a manor house nearby, Calda House, which also now stands in ruins after a fire in 1737.

 The walk to the castle was a mini adventure in itself. Water from the loch had flooded the walkway a slight bit. Before we left the rain came, chasing us back to the car.

The whole Assynt area is truly breathtaking, especially with the mist lurking about the mountains. Before reaching Ardvreck, we stopped at a lookout hoping to see Ben More Assynt (which means "big mountain of Assynt" in Gaelic) in the distance. The mountain is 3274 feet high and is the tallest mountain in Sutherland. But it is actually hidden from the road we traveled by other mountains in the foreground. We enjoyed seeing the red deer roaming the area, but didn't enjoy the midges, which seemed more aggressive and plentiful here than anywhere we'd been.

 Another gorgeous view on the way to Ardvreck.

 The mountains were hidden by the mist.

The gorse was in full bloom.

Although I wasn't able to get any pics of the red deer at Assynt, here are some other Sutherland deer from further north.

Thanks for checking out my pics!

Vonda

www.vondasinclair.com