A castle on the banks of Loch Ness
Castle Urquhart, perched on a rocky promontory above the dark waters of Loch Ness, has been fought over more than almost any other castle in Scotland. During the Wars of Independence in the 13th and 14th centuries, it changed hands repeatedly between Scottish and English forces. Its strategic position — controlling the Great Glen, the natural corridor that splits the Highlands — made it a prize worth fighting for.
The castle was first fortified in the early medieval period, possibly on the site of an earlier Pictish fort. By the 13th century, it was one of the largest castles in Scotland. Edward I of England seized it during his conquest of Scotland in 1296. It was recaptured by Robert the Bruce's forces and held for Scotland through much of the Wars of Independence, though it continued to change hands as the conflict ebbed and flowed.
In the centuries that followed, Urquhart was caught up in the power struggles of the Highland clans. The MacDonalds, Grants, and the Crown all vied for control. The castle was extensively damaged during the Jacobite risings and was deliberately blown up in 1692 to prevent it being used by Jacobite forces. It was never rebuilt.
Today, the atmospheric ruins of Urquhart Castle are one of the most visited sites in the Scottish Highlands. The view from the Grant Tower across Loch Ness is one of the most photographed in Scotland — and it is reputedly one of the best spots for sighting the Loch Ness Monster. The castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and includes a visitor centre telling the story of over 1,000 years of Highland conflict.