Redcastle facts for kids
Redcastle (which means an Caisteal ruadh in Scottish Gaelic) is an old castle in Killearnan, located on the Black Isle in northern Scotland. It was once known as Edirdovar or Ederdour. The castle gets its name from the reddish color of the stones used to build it.
Today, Redcastle is mostly a ruin, meaning it's falling apart and not safe to enter. However, it is still very important! It's protected as a Category B listed building, which means it's recognized as a special historical building in Scotland. The castle has an L-shaped design and was about three stories tall, but it no longer has a roof.
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The Story of Redcastle
Redcastle was one of Scotland's oldest homes that people lived in for a very long time.
How Old is Redcastle?
The first castle on this spot was built way back in 1179 by William the Lion, who was a King of Scotland. This early castle was called Edirdovar.
Who Owned the Castle?
Over the years, different families owned Redcastle.
- In 1230, Sir John Bysset was in charge.
- Later, in 1278, Sir Andrew de Besco owned it.
- By 1455, the Black Isle area, where the castle stands, became part of the Scottish Crown's lands.
In 1492, the castle and its surrounding lands came under the control of Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail. The powerful Clan Mackenzie family owned Redcastle for many years, all the way until 1790.
Changes Over Time
The castle building you see today was mostly built in 1641. However, it includes older parts made with rough stone (called rubble) and carefully cut stone (called ashlar). These older parts show that a castle was there even before 1641.
In the 1800s, the castle was updated by an architect named William Burn. In 1838, Colonel H.D. Baillie bought the estate. Later, it became part of the family of Lord Burton of Dochfour.
During World War II, the army used Redcastle. After the war, in the 1950s, the army left, and parts of the castle were taken apart. This is why it is now a ruin.
Images for kids
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Redcastle, a historic ruin in Scotland
