Castle Stuart

Castle Stuart, Scottish Highland Photo © Ann Harrison, 24 September 2009

Castle Stuart - Photo © djmacpherson, 20 May 07

Castle Stuart, Scottish Highland Photo © Anne Burgess, April 1972

Castle Stuart was built in the early 17th century by James Stewart, third Earl of Moray, and his wife Anne Gordon. Shortly afterwards the Stewarts fled the castle when it was captured by the Mackintoshes. The castle fell into ruin, but was restored in the 20th century and is run as a luxury guest house.

Castle Stuart is a restored tower house on the banks of the Moray Firth, about 6.5 miles northeast of Inverness.

The land the castle was built on was granted to James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray by his half-sister, Mary, Queen of Scots, following her return to Scotland in 1561. The successive murders of Stewart and his son, James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray, meant that the castle was finally completed by his grandson, James Stuart, 3rd Earl of Moray, in 1625. Though the castle initially flourished, it fell into disuse as the fortunes of the House of Stuart sank during the English Civil War and Charles I was executed. The castle lay derelict for 300 years before being restored; it is currently used as a luxury hotel.