Dunaverty Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dunaverty Castle |
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The site of Dunaverty Castle
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| Reference no. | SM3041 |
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Dunaverty Castle is a historic place in western Scotland. It is found at the very end of the Kintyre peninsula, in a village called Southend. This spot used to be a strong fort for a powerful family called the Clan Donald (also known as MacDonald). Not much of the castle is left today. However, the area is protected as an important historical site.
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Dunaverty Castle sits on a rocky piece of land. This land sticks out into the sea in the southeast corner of Kintyre. It was a natural stronghold because the sea protected it on three sides. The only way to reach it was from the north, by a narrow path. People think the castle itself was reached by a drawbridge.
Early Years of the Castle
In 1248, King Henry III of England allowed a person named Walter Byset to buy supplies. These supplies were for Dunaverty Castle. Byset had taken over the castle and was making it stronger. He was likely doing this because Alexander II, King of Scotland had helped some English pirates. But in the same year, Allan, the son of the Earl of Atholl, captured the castle. Byset was taken prisoner.
In 1263, King Alexander III of Scotland placed soldiers at Dunaverty Castle. This happened during a war with King Hákon of Norway. The castle was later given to the Norwegian king. He then gave it to Dubhghall mac Ruaidhrí, who was a strong supporter. After Norway lost control of the area in 1263, King Alexander III seems to have taken the castle back.
Robert the Bruce and Royal Control
In late 1306, Robert the Bruce, who was fighting for his crown, found safety at Dunaverty Castle. A story says he stayed there for three days with Aonghus Óg Mac Domhnaill. Then he sailed away to Rathlin Island. Other records show that the castle was already controlled by the king. He had gotten it from someone named Maol Coluim in March. In September of that year, English forces attacked the castle. They took it over, but Robert the Bruce was not found.
In 1493, the last Lord of the Isles lost his title to King James IV of Scotland. By 1494, the king had put soldiers and supplies in Dunaverty Castle. It is said that the MacDonalds, led by Sir John MacDonald, took the castle back. They did this before the King even left for Stirling. They supposedly hung the dead body of the King's castle governor over the walls. This was done so the King and his group could see it as they left. Sir John MacDonald was later captured and hanged near Edinburgh.
Later Years and the Massacre
The castle was repaired by the Scottish Crown between 1539 and 1542. In 1544, Queen Mary ordered the castle to be given to the Earl of Argyll. Argyll then received a 12-year lease for the area, including the castle.
In 1626, the area of Kintyre was given to the Earl of Argyll. Dunaverty Castle was named its main building. Argyll later gave control of Kintyre to his son, James. In 1635, James gave a charter for Kintyre to Viscount Dunluce. However, this transfer was stopped by the Scottish government. This was likely due to a complaint from Argyll's older son, who was unhappy about his father's decision. In 1636, the older son received the charter for Kintyre, with Dunaverty Castle as its main building.
During the Civil War, Dunaverty was attacked in 1647. Scottish soldiers who supported Oliver Cromwell led the attack. They were led by General David Leslie. The MacDonalds who were defending the castle gave up. Sadly, about 300 of them were killed. This event is known as the Battle of Dunaverty, or the "Dunaverty Massacre." Today, the castle is just a ruin. It is sometimes called Blood Rock because of this sad event.
