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
23 comments:
Gorgeous photos, Vonda. I'm originally from Scotland but from the Borders. One of these days I'd love to go back, now that I'm old enough to appreciate the beauty and the history.
Beautiful, as always, Vonda! I had to laugh though...kept thinking "Ardvreck" had typos and wanted to read it as "Aardvark." Don't suppose there are too many of those in that neck of the woods, though. :)
Thanks Margery! How cool it must have been to grow up in Scotland. I'd love to visit the borders sometime. It's a beautiful area too!
Randy, thanks! LOL! Not too many aardvarks in Scotland I bet. Too cold and wet for them. LOL I have no idea where the name Ardvreck comes from.
Vonda, these are absolutely gorgeous. You don't play fair - I was already homesick for Scotland and now this....it is time for another trip.
Beautiful, thanks for posting them. Photos will have to do until I can manage the real thing.
Paisley, so sorry to make you even more homesick! Yes, it's definitely time for another trip!
Thanks Derek! I hope you get to visit Scotland soon! You'll love it I'm sure.
Lovely post---gorgeous photos.
Wow, absolutely gorgeous. Sure wish I could get over there someday... Thanks for sharing!
Ah-h...breathtaking. I, too, am homesick and haven't even been there yet! Oh, how I love your beautiful photographs, Vonda. Thanks for sharing!
~Donna
Angelyn, thanks for checking them out!
Michelle, thanks! I hope you get to visit! You'll enjoy it!
Donna, thanks! Those who love Scotland get homesick even if they haven't visited a certain area. There's just something about some places (or pictures of them) that speaks to us on a deep level
Breathtaking photos! I always love to look at your pictures. Scotland is truly a beautiful place.
Beautiful pictures, Vonda!
Liz and Natasha, thanks so much! I'm glad you liked them!
Fabulous photos! So eerie, expect to be transported back in time, but don't think I am fierce enough.
Beautiful photos. Being a Scot myself, I can see that the weather was typically Scottish.
LOL Maggie! I'm not sure I'm fierce enough either, but it would be fun and educational to travel back in time for a day. Thanks!
Thanks, Maureen! Yes, the weather was definitely Scottish. LOL I didn't know you were Scottish. I may have to pick your brain sometime. LOL
Beautiful pictures! LOVE these and the story behind them. I did the Aardvark thing, too. :)
Tami
Tami, thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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