Na rathaidean fada, lùbach tro Chuimrigh agus Alba

Day 30: 8th March – Sealed as Approved

Today’s trivia is on Dunvegan Castle:

Is the historic seat of MacLeod of MacLeod chief since the 13th century.
It’s their home for over 800 years, these oldest continuously used cadtle in Scotland.
They did some bad things many moons ago.
Setting for some notable films such as Macbeth, Made of Honor, 47 Ronnin and of course Highlander and How to train your Dragon

It was a super late start of 0931hrs and we arrived at Dunvegan Castle at 1002hrs . . .

There’s the castle, grounds, gardens and a boat trip to be had. So we did a B-line to the boat. Three spots left. HGiT and we shared with a French family of 4. What boat only takes 7, 2IC asks!.

This one . . .

Plenty of seals to be seen . . .

and around the gardens . . .

and inside the castle . . .

Note the Sparron worn by Norman, the 25th Cheif!

Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hair was clipped by Flora MacDonald as a token of appreciation after she helped him escape from the British following the Battle of Culloden, and it remains a treasured artifact within the castle.

Reading about the Clan, not in the castle of course, as they are portrade as good citizens, you’ll find . . .

The Cave of Eigg Massacre (1577): MacLeods landed on the MacDonald-controlled island of Eigg. In response to the threat, 395 MacDonalds hid in a cave. The MacLeods discovered the hiding place and lit a fire at the cave’s mouth, suffocating everyone inside.
The Battle of the Spoiling Dyke (1578): In retaliation for the Eigg massacre, MacDonalds from Uist attacked the MacLeods of Trumpan as they worshipped in their church. The MacDonalds set the church on fire, killing all inside except one girl. The MacLeods recovered and killed most of the MacDonalds, piling their bodies along a dyke which they then collapsed upon them.
Kidnapping and Selling Clansmen (1739): Norman MacLeod of Dunvegan (23rd chief) and Sir Alexander MacDonald of Sleat were accused of kidnapping 96 of their own kinsmen—men, women, and children—with the intention of selling them into slavery in the American colonies. The plan failed when a storm forced their ship to Northern Ireland, where the passengers were rescued.
Harrying of Raasay (Post-1746): After the Battle of Culloden, while some MacLeods were involved in Jacobite support, others—specifically under the direction of the main branch supporting the British Government—were accused of heavily pillaging and burning Raasay, an island inhabited by a branch of their own clan (MacLeods of Raasay).
“Iain Ciar” (4th Chief): Described as a tyrannical and bloodthirsty despot, this chief was noted for his brutality not just against enemies, but against his own people.
and then today, an attempted Sale of the Cuillins (2000): John MacLeod of MacLeod (29th chief) attempted to sell the Black Cuillin mountain range for £10 million to fund repairs to Dunvegan Castle. This caused significant public outrage in Scotland over the ownership of the landscape.

After about three hours well spent, it was over to The Fairy Bridge and the Trumpan church made famous by the MacLeods . . .