Smerby Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smerby Castle (Island Muller Castle) |
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| Kintyre, Scotland | |
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 Smerby Castle (Island Muller Castle)
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| Coordinates | 55°26′12″N 5°32′20″W / 55.4366°N 5.5388°W |
| Type | Fortified house |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Ruin |
Smerby Castle, also known as Island Muller Castle, is an old, ruined fortified house. It stands on a piece of land called Isla Muller in Kintyre, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. You can find it north of Campbeltown. This special place is protected as a scheduled monument, which means it's an important historical site.
History
The 1500s: A Time of Clans
Smerby Castle has a long history, especially linked to the powerful MacDonald clan.
Early Ownership
Ranald MacDonald of Smerby received Smerby Castle from his father, James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg. This was a common way for property to be passed down in those times.
A Royal Prisoner
In 1598, something dramatic happened at Smerby Castle. Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg, was held prisoner there in chains. His own son, James MacDonald, had captured him.
James was sent by King James VI of Scotland to make his father, Angus, agree to the King's rules. Before his capture, Angus had suffered burns when his house, Askomull, was burned down by his son James. After this, Angus was taken to Smerby Castle.
