Skye, Knock Castle

Caisteal Camus (or Caisteal Uaine; also known as Knock Castle from 17th century) Fragments of an early 15th-century rectangular tower, surviving best on the seaward side, with a late 16th/early 17th-century house at right angles. Evidence suggests that an earlier west range enclosed a courtyard. Fused to a rocky knoll on the north-east headland of Knock Bay, with a ditch to its landward side, Caisteal Camus occupies the site of an Iron Age fort, Dun Thoravaig, with sweeping views out over the Sound of Sleat.

[Caisteal Camus, like Dun Scaich, was caught between the medieval rivalries of the Macleods and Macdonalds. In the 14th century, it was a residence of the Macleods, who had tenure of southern Skye as vassals of the Earls of Ross. But it became one of two Macdonald strongholds in Sleat in the early 15th century (the other being Dun Scaich). When in 1596 it was returned with a charter following a period of forfeiture, it came with the provision that it should be made readily available as a royal residence. It was never used as such and, by 1689, had been abandoned.]

Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

NG60NE 4 67146 08717

(NG 6714 0870) Knock Castle (NR) (In Ruins) On Site of Dun Horavaig (NR) OS 6" map, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed., (1903)

Knock Castle ... is easily approached from the landward and, so far as can be seen, has comprised a main block with a (later?) range of building projecting at right angles, probably forming sides of a courtyard.

The main walling, averaging 4ft 3ins in thickness, forms the most southerly angle on plan and stands to a height of over 30ft. Built of rough rubble the interior face is much decayed and broken away, and the only opening discernible is a small window at present ground level in the SE. wall. Traces of foundations show these walls to have enclosed an area of about 55ft by 26ft wide. An entrance 3ft 2ins wide, in the SW angle of the building, probably dates from the later addition, which is 49ft long and has contained two storeys. Very little can be followed without excavation, but the buildings appear to date from the 16th century.

This is the place known of old as Castle Camuys or Camys. Monro thus spears of it as 'the Castill of Camus in Sleit, pertaining to Donald Gromsone'. In 1614 there is a confirmation of lands to Donald Gorm of Sleat ('Slait') with the proviso that 'the castle of Camus' should always be open to the King, his lieutenants, chamberlains, etc (Information from Reg Magni Sig Reg Scot, No. 1087).

RCAHMS 1928.

The last documentary evidence of life in the Castle is on 31st August 1632, when McConnillreich signed a bond there declaring Sir Donald MacDonald to be his Chief.

The actual date when the Castle ceased to be a residence or Clan stronghold has not been traced, but no doubt, the walls of the building provided material from which the house of Knock was built, and we find that quite a number of Estate documents were signed at Knock during the early years of the 18th century.

J MacIntrye 1938.

The site of Dun Horavaig is now occupied by the ruins of Knock Castle, all traces of the dun having been obliterated. It is also known locally as Dun-Iain-Choinnich.

RCAHMS 1928.

Knock Castle described by RCAHMS. In poor condition. Further remains of turf-covered foundations indicate a range of buildings enclosing the courtyard on the NW side nearly parallel with the main block. There are also traces of a long narrow building at a lower level at the NE end of the main block. The head of the gully on the SW side of the Castle has been skirted by a stone wall, of which turf covered foundations remain.

Visited by OS (A S P) 17 June 1961.

Nock, Sleat Parish. (Probably 'Knock' Western Isles).

EXTERNAL REFERENCE:

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND.

In the National library of Scotland, Vol. 11, No. 3 of Water Colour Sketches by Thomas Brown, Advocate, is a view of this Castle ruin. Reference "Adv.MSS.34.8.1-3"

See under "Water Colour Sketches, Series of, by Thomas Brown, Advocate".

EXTERNAL REFERENCE:

National Archives of Scotland.

Repair of the House of Knock.

Note of sums spent 1801-1802 and 1813-1814.

Abstract of Entailed Improvements. Certified by James Gillespie.

1829 GD 221/43/42

Mason work undertaken at the House of Knock.

Note of cost included in an account for Armadale and other work in Sleat.

1862 GD 221/24

Payments for repair of the house of Knock.Payments made to (Thomas) Thorburn for the work.

1797-1798 241.4.2 pounds

1798-1799 200

Abstract of Accounts 1797-1799

Account between Rt. Hon. Lord Macdonald and John Campbell W.S His Agent and Cashier.

1797-1799 GD 221/40/99 and GD 221/124

Report on the repair work done at the House of Knock by (Thomas Thorburn) after its inspection by James Gillespie, Architect, and Thomas Hall, joiner.

1800 GD 221/68/32