Cromarty Castle facts for kids

Cromarty Castle was a historic castle located in Cromarty, Scotland. Cromarty is a town that sits by the entrance to the Cromarty Firth, a large inlet of the sea. This location made the castle very important for defending the area.

In the past, Cromarty was known as Crumbathyn. It became a special town called a royal burgh during the time of King Alexander I of Scotland. A royal burgh was a town that had special rights and privileges given by the king.

What Was Cromarty Castle?

Cromarty Castle was not just one building but changed over time. The very first castle built here was a type called a motte-and-bailey castle. This kind of castle was popular in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Early Castle Design

A motte-and-bailey castle had two main parts:

• A motte was a large earth mound, often with a wooden tower on top.
• A bailey was a courtyard area, usually surrounded by a wooden fence called a palisade.

These castles were quick to build and offered good protection.

The Castle During Wars

During the 13th and 14th centuries, Scotland was involved in long conflicts known as the Scottish Wars of Independence. These were battles between Scotland and England over who would rule Scotland.

Cromarty Castle played a role in these wars. A knight named Sir William de Monte Alto was in charge of the castle. He sometimes supported the English side and sometimes the Scottish side during these difficult times.

Later Changes and Demolition

Over time, castles were updated to be stronger. In 1470, a special permission was given to Sir William Urquhart. He was the Sheriff of Cromarty, which meant he was a local official responsible for law and order.

This permission was called a licence to crenellate. It allowed Sir William to add battlements to the motte of Cromarty. Battlements are the notched walls often seen on castles, which provide protection for defenders.

Sir William Urquhart's son, Thomas, later built a new part of the castle. This was an L-plan tower house. An L-plan tower house was a strong stone building shaped like the letter 'L', which was a common design for homes and defenses in Scotland.

However, Cromarty Castle did not last forever. In 1772, the castle was taken down. The stones and wood from the old castle were then used to help build a new house nearby, known as Cromarty House.