Armadale Castle facts for kids
Armadale Castle is a beautiful old country house that is now mostly in ruins. It is located in Armadale, Skye, a lovely area in Scotland. For many years, it was the home of the famous MacDonald family, a very important Scottish clan. The castle sits facing southeast, looking out over the sparkling waters of the Sound of Sleat.
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The Story of Armadale Castle
Armadale Castle has a long and interesting history, with different parts built at different times.
Early Days and New Designs
The very first house at Armadale was built around the year 1790. It was a grand mansion. Later, in 1815, something new was added. An architect from Edinburgh named James Gillespie Graham designed a special building. It looked like a square, old-fashioned castle, but it was not built for fighting. It was more for show, like a fancy decoration. This part was built right next to the original house.
Changes After a Fire
Sadly, a part of the house was damaged by a fire after 1855. To fix this, a new central section was built. This new part was designed by another well-known architect, David Bryce. He helped to make the castle grand again.
Becoming a Ruin
Over time, the MacDonald family stopped living at Armadale Castle. Since 1925, the castle has slowly become a ruin. This means that parts of it no longer have roofs, and some walls have fallen down. Even though it is a ruin, it is still a very special place.
What Remains Today
In 1971, the southern parts of the building, which were designed by Gillespie Graham, were taken down. What is left today is the section designed by David Bryce, which is roofless. There is also a smaller, two-story building on the far north side. The remaining castle is protected as a historic building, even in its ruined state. The beautiful gardens around the castle are still cared for.
Armadale Castle Gardens and Museum
Even though the castle itself is a ruin, the gardens around it are still very much alive and beautiful.
The Clan Donald Centre
These gardens are now home to the Clan Donald Centre. This center helps people learn all about the history and culture of the Clan Donald. It is a great place to visit if you want to understand more about Scottish clans.
The Museum of the Isles
Inside the Clan Donald Centre, you will find the Museum of the Isles. This museum tells the story of the Clan Donald and the history of the Scottish islands. It has many interesting exhibits and displays for visitors to explore.
Recent News About the Estate
In early 2025, there was important news about the Armadale Estate, which includes the castle and museum.
Plans for Sale
On March 24, 2025, the Clan Donald Lands Trust, which looked after the estate, announced that they planned to sell it. This included the castle, the museum, and about 20,000 acres of land. They explained that they faced challenges in keeping the estate running. The first part of the land was listed for sale on March 26, 2025. Then, on June 14, 2025, the heritage sites, like the castle and museum, were also listed.
Community Concerns
Many people in the local community and members of Clan Donald around the world had concerns about the sale. Groups like the Sleat Community Council, Clan Donald USA, and the Save Armadale Campaign shared their worries. They felt that the sale was not handled in the best way for the charity and the estate's future. They hoped to find a way to keep these important historical sites open for everyone.
External links
- Gazetteer for Scotland: Armadale Castle
- https://www.savearmadale.com/
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Armadale para niños
