Dunyvaig Castle facts for kids
Dunyvaig Castle, also known as Dunnyveg, is an old castle found on the south side of Islay, an island in Argyll, Scotland. It sits right by Lagavulin Bay, about 4 kilometers from Port Ellen. Its name, Dùn Naomhaig, means 'Fort of the galleys' in Scottish Gaelic, which tells us it was important for ships.
This castle was once a main naval base for the powerful Lord of the Isles. These were the leaders of Clan Donald, a very important family in Scotland. Later, the castle was owned by the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.
Contents
The Story of Dunyvaig Castle
Early Times: Building the Castle
A castle was first built on this spot in the 12th century. It was placed on top of an even older fort, or "dun."
15th and 16th Centuries: Changing Hands
In 1493, the castle was taken away from the MacDonalds. It then went to the MacIans of Ardnamurchan, who were a smaller part of the MacDonald clan.
However, the MacIans faced trouble when the MacDonalds were punished for a rebellion between 1501 and 1506. Dunyvaig Castle was then given to a branch of the Campbell family. But in 1545, the MacDonalds got their lands back on Islay and Jura, including the castle.
17th Century: Battles and Control
The 1600s were a time of many fights over Dunyvaig Castle.
The King Takes Control
In 1608, Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg gave up the castle to the king's representative, Andrew Stuart, 3rd Lord Ochiltree, and Bishop Andrew Knox. They arrived with a royal navy force and 1000 men. A few days later, Angus MacDonald and others met on a ship to celebrate a special day for the king. After this, soldiers loyal to the king were placed in the castle.
MacDonalds Fight Back
In 1614, Ranald Og MacDonald managed to take the castle back. But then Angus Og MacDonald recaptured it and tried to make a deal to surrender it. Bishop Knox tried to get the castle back in September 1614 but was defeated. He had to leave his son and nephew as hostages to show he would keep his word.
Knox later explained that he had trouble getting boats and support. He could only gather a small group of men. When he landed on Islay, the Clan Donald outsmarted him and destroyed his boats. They told him he had to give up the hostages, or his men would be killed. Some of his men heard Angus Og MacDonald say he was working for the Earl of Argyll, who would give him the castle and all of Islay.
The Castle is Retaken
In January 1615, Sir John Campbell of Calder and Sir Oliver Lambart attacked the castle. They used cannons and men from a ship called the Phoenix. They successfully took the castle back, capturing 22 men. Others, including Coll Ciotach, escaped through a secret gate.
However, in June 1615, Sir James MacDonald and Coll Ciotach captured the castle again. They killed the captain and some of the soldiers guarding it. The Privy Council of Scotland, a group of royal advisors, asked for a ship with cannons to attack the castle. Sir James MacDonald ran away. Before the cannons could be used, Coll Ciotach surrendered to the Earl of Argyll in October 1615.
Final Years of the Castle
In 1647, the castle was taken by the Covenanters, a Scottish religious and political movement. It then went to the Campbells of Cawdor. They held it until 1677, when Sir Hugh Campbell decided to pull down the castle. He then moved to a new home called Islay House.
What's Left Today
Today, Dunyvaig Castle is mostly in ruins. You can still see parts of the 16th-century castle. The site also includes what's left of a 13th-century courtyard and a 15th-century keep (the main tower). This important historical site was made a "scheduled monument" in 1989, which means it's protected.
