Castle Island, Scotland facts for kids
Castle Island (also known as Scottish Gaelic: Eilean a' Chaisteil or Allimturrail) is a tiny tidal island in Scotland. It's located near Little Cumbrae and Trail Island, in a large sea area called the Firth of Clyde. When the tide is low, you can even walk to Castle Island from Little Cumbrae!
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Discovering Castle Island: A Scottish Gem
Castle Island is a small piece of land in the Firth of Clyde, a famous sea area in Scotland. It sits just off the eastern side of Little Cumbrae, another island. To its west is Trail Island, making it part of a group of interesting islands. Because it's a tidal island, it's connected to Little Cumbrae by land when the sea level is low. This means you can sometimes walk between the two islands!
What is the Castle on Castle Island?
The island gets its name from a special building: Little Cumbrae Castle. This castle was built way back in 1527. It was designed as a strong, square tower, known as a keep.
Why Was the Castle Built?
People believe the castle was first built for an interesting reason: to stop people from illegally hunting deer. Deer were valuable animals, and the castle helped protect them from poachers.
What Happened to the Castle?
Sadly, the castle didn't last forever. In 1650, a group of soldiers known as the Cromwellian forces attacked and destroyed it. These forces were loyal to Oliver Cromwell, a powerful leader in England at the time. Today, you can still see the remains of this historic castle on the island.
