Skelbo Castle, Scottish Highland
Photo © Sylvia Duckworth, 5 March 2009
Skelbo Castle, Scottish Highland
Photo © Wojsyl, 8 June 2006
Skelbo Castle, Scottish Highland
Photo © foxypar4, 8 March 2007
Skelbo Castle, Scottish Highland Photo © Sylvia Duckworth, 5 March 2009 |
Skelbo Castle, Scottish Highland Photo © Wojsyl, 8 June 2006 |
Skelbo Castle, Scottish Highland Photo © foxypar4, 8 March 2007 |
--SKELBO CASTLE, SCOTTISH HIGHLAND
Skelbo Castle is a ruined 14th century keep, located on the high shore
at the mouth of Loch Fleet in the Highlands in Scotland. The remaining wall
is best preserved at the northern side of the castle. In 1308 Robert the Bruce
captured an earlier castle at the site belonging to the Sutherlands. In 1529
the castle was bought by William Sutherland of Duffus. Inhabited by Jacobites
until the half of 18th century, the castle was abandoned at the end of the century.
During the year sixteen hundred and twenty-one, a dispute arose between Sutherland
of Duffus and John Gordon, younger of Embo, respecting the marches between Embo
and the lands of Cuttle, which belonged to the former. Duffus, accompanied by
his brother, James Sutherland, and seven other persons, visited the marches
one evening, when he sent for young Embo to come and speak with him respecting
them. Though late in the evening, Embo went unaccompanied by any person, and
met Duffus and his party, and after exchanging some words, they attacked Gordon
and wounded him before he had time to draw his sword. As soon as this attack
became known, the Gordons and the Grays, with some of the earl of Sutherland's
tenants, came to Embo, and proceeded from thence to the castle of Skelbo, where
Duffus then resided, with the design of attacking him. They did not enter the
house, but rode round about it, defying him and daring him to come out . Sir
Alexander Gordon, sheriff of Sutherland, hearing of the meeting, immediately
hastened to the spot to prevent mischief; and being assisted by John Gray, dean
of Caithness, he took all the parties bound to keep the peace till the arrival
of Sir Robert Gordon, who, it was expected, would adopt measures of pacification.
Sir Robert afterwards prevailed upon the parties to hold a friendly meeting,
at which they agreed to refer their disputes to arbitration.
A HISTORY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND OF THE HIGHLAND CLANS, VOLUME 1 BY JAMES BROWNE, 1838--