Urquhart Castle, oblique aerial view, taken from the S.

Description Urquhart Castle, oblique aerial view, taken from the S.

Date 23/6/1995

Collection RCAHMS Aerial Photography

Catalogue Number C 46919 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 800243, SC 1675996

Scope and Content Aerial view of Urquhart Castle, Highland This aerial view from the south, taken in 1995, shows the castle on its peninsula, jutting out into Loch Ness. At the far end is the tower, built in stages during the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries. In front of the tower are the remains of the main range, consisting of great chamber, hall, and kitchen, on a splayed plan. The castle changed hands on numerous occasions. It was occupied by Protestant forces in 1689, during the 'Bloodless Revolution', and the gatehouse was blown up by them to prevent the use of the castle as a fortification. It was then used as a quarry until it was taken into State care in 1912. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, the castle is open to the public. Urquhart Castle is on a site which has been fortified since the Iron Age. In the 13th century a shell-keep or a circular castle enclosure was built on a natural motte, with two baileys enclosing an hourglass-shaped site. The castle was altered in the late 14th century, and again in the late 15th and early 16th century, and in 1623. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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