Urquhart Castle

Welcome to Urquhart Castle, a place where stone and story are inextricably woven into the rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands. As you stand here, perched upon this rocky promontory overlooking the deep, dark waters of Loch…

Approaching the gatehouse, you encounter the primary defensive line of the castle. This structure, largely built in the late thirteenth century by the powerful Comyn family, was designed to be intimidating. …

Stepping through the gatehouse, we enter the large open area known as the Inner Close. Today it is a peaceful green lawn, but in the sixteenth century, this was a bustling industrial hub. …

We now move toward the center of the castle complex to the ruins of the Great Hall. Built in the late thirteenth century by the Comyn family, this was the social and administrative heart of the fortress. …

Descending toward the shoreline, we find the Water Gate, a crucial feature for any castle located on the banks of a major waterway. In the medieval period, the roads through the Highlands were often treacherous and slow. …

Dominating the northern end of the castle is the Grant Tower, perhaps the most iconic and best-preserved structure in the entire complex. This five-story tower house was built in the early sixteenth century, replacing an earlier,…

Near the northern perimeter, we find the remains of a Dovecot, or 'doocot' in Scots. While it may look like a simple stone structure, it played a vital role in the castle’s food supply. …

As our tour of Urquhart Castle concludes, we find ourselves back near the entrance, looking out over the silent stones one last time. It is easy to see why this is one of Scotland’s most photographed and cherished locations. …