Kilravock Castle facts for kids
Kilravock Castle (pronounced Kilrawk) is an old castle in Scotland. It is found near the village of Croy, which is between the towns of Inverness and Nairn. Building the castle started around the year 1460. The Clan Rose family has lived there ever since. The castle is made up of a main tower from the 1400s and other parts that were added later. The original name for the castle was Cill Rathaig. This is a Scottish Gaelic phrase meaning "church at the small circular fort".
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History of Kilravock Castle
Early Owners and Building the Castle
The land where Kilravock Castle stands was first owned by the Boscoe family. In the 1100s, it passed to the Bissett family through marriage. Later, in the 1200s, it came into the hands of the Rose family when Mary Boscoe married Hugh II de Ros.
The main tower of the castle, called the keep, was built around 1460. The Baron of Kilravock at that time received special permission to build it from the Lord of the Isles. Over the years, more parts were added to the castle. In the 1600s, a square stair tower and a south section were built. The north and west sides of the castle were added even later.
Famous Visitors to the Castle
Many important people have visited Kilravock Castle over the centuries.
- In 1562, Mary, Queen of Scots, was welcomed at the castle.
- In 1568, a blacksmith from Elgin made a new iron gate for the castle's main tower.
- Prince Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, stayed at the castle for four days before the famous battle of Culloden.
- Soon after that battle, his enemy, the Duke of Cumberland, also visited.
- The famous Scottish poet Robert Burns came to Kilravock in September 1787.
Kilravock Castle Today
Today, Kilravock Castle is a very important historic building. It is listed as a Category A listed building, which means it is of great national importance. The Rose family no longer lives in the castle. In 1984, the castle was given to a Christian charity. For a while, it was used as a bed and breakfast, but now it is not open to the public.
The Rose Family at Kilravock
Kilravock Castle has been lived in by the Roses family for a very long time. The Roses came from Normandy, France, with William the Conqueror. They settled at Kilravock in 1293. What is special about the Rose family at Kilravock is their direct line of descent. For hundreds of years, sons have taken over from their fathers without any breaks in the family line. This is very rare in Scottish history.
Many members of the Rose family have been named Hugh. Most of them have held the title of laird, which is a Scottish landowner. The Chief of the Clan Rose, Anna Elizabeth Emily Guillemard Rose, who was the 25th of Kilravock, passed away in 2012. In 2013, her nephew, David Hugh Heriot Baird Rose, was recognized as the new Chief of Clan Rose and the 26th Baron of Kilravock.
