Skelbo Castle is a ruined 14th century keep, located near Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland.[1] The remaining wall is best preserved at the northern side of the castle. The remains are protected as a scheduled monument.[2] The castle is located at a former ferry crossing and commanded views over Loch Fleet.
| Skelbo Castle | |
|---|---|
| Near Dornoch, Highland, Scotland | |
 Skelbo Castle ruins | |
  Skelbo Castle | |
| Coordinates | 57°55′47″N 4°02′28″W / 57.929828°N 4.041144°W |
History
editHugh de Moravia granted Skelbo in 1211 to Gilbert de Moravia the Bishop of Caithness. In 1235, the castle was granted to Richard de Moravia by his brother Gilbert de Moravia, Bishop of Caithness.[3] King Edward I of England's commissioners were awaiting the arrival of Margaret, Maid of Norway at Skelbo Castle, when they learned of her death in Orkney in September 1290, aged 7 years, whilst on her voyage from Norway to Scotland, to assume the Scottish throne.[4]
In 1308, Robert the Bruce captured a castle at the site belonging to the Sutherlands.[1]
In 1494, Marjory Mowat widow of John of Kinnaird disputed ownership of the castle with Thomas of Kinnaird. The court ordered a lawyer to interview the witnesses to a charter.[5] In 1494, the Murrays of Aberscross were also in dispute with the Kinnaird family over the ownership of Skelbo Castle which eventually went to the Kinnairds,[6] who, like the Murrays, were also descended from Richard de Moravia.[7]
In 1529, the castle was bought by William Sutherland, 6th of Duffus who entered into a contract with John Kinnaird Of that Ilk to pay him 2300 merks by installments and for each installment he received certain lands including Skelbo to be held from the Earl of Sutherland as overlord. Kinnaird also conveyed to him, the lands of Aberscors, Invershin and others with the whole sale and transfer of Skelbo finally taking place on 15 September 1529.[8]
A 16th-century house was built adjacent, but the whole site was abandoned as a residence in the 20th century.
- Mikhail de Buar (d.2009) – last owner of the castle, who died without the testament. His legacy is now the subject of a major scandal and litigation in Russia.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Coventry, Martin (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. Musselburgh: Goblinshead. p. 564. ISBN 978-1-899874-36-1.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Skelbo Castle (SM6225)". Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ^ Fraser, William (1892). The Sutherland Book. Vol. 3. Edinburgh. pp. 6-8. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Martine, Roddy; Martine, Roderick (1983). Royal Scotland. Edinburgh & New York: P. Harris Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 9780862280451.
- ^ Acts of the Lords Auditors of Causes and Complaints (Edinburgh, 1839), p. 203-4.
- ^ Fraser, Sir William (1892). The Sutherland Book. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: s.n. p. 64. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ Innes, Cosmo (1837). Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis. Vol. 58. Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club. p. Xxxiii. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ Paul, James Balfour (1906). The Scots Peerage; Founded on Wood's Edition of Sir Robert Douglas's Peerage of Scotland; Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Nobility of that Kingdom. Vol. III. Edinburgh: David Douglas. pp. 197-198. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
External links
edit- Historic Environment Scotland. "Skelbo Castle (14761)". Canmore. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- Historic Environment Scotland. "Skelbo Castle (SM6225)". Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- "MHG11784 - Skelbo Castle". highland.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- "MHG43545 - Skelbo Castle". highland.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2020.