Kilravock Castle, Highland, United Kingdom

Kilravock Castle was originally built around 1460 and has been the seat of the Clan Rose since that time. The castle is a composite of a 15th-century tower house and several later additions. The lands were owned by the Boscoe family and it passed via marriage of Andrew Boscoe to his wife Elizabeth Bissett of the Bissett family in the 12th century, after Bosco's death his widow then deposed the lands via marriage of their daughter Mary Boscoe to Hugh II de Ros of the Rose family in the 13th century.

The keep dates from around 1460, when the then baron of Kilravock was granted a license to build by the Lord of the Isles. This was extended in the 17th century, with the addition of a square stair tower, and the south range. The north and west sides of the quadrangle were added later. Mary, Queen of Scots, was received at the castle in 1562, and Prince Charles Edward Stuart was entertained four days before the battle of Culloden. His enemy, the Duke of Cumberland, visited soon after the battle, and Robert Burns came here in September 1787.

Kilravock Castle has been continuously tenanted by the Roses, a family of Norman origin, who arrived in Britain with William the Conqueror. They settled at Kilravock in 1293, since which date son has succeeded father without the interposition of a collateral heir, an instance of direct descent unique in Scottish history.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Jo Hawco (2 years ago)
Not open to the public but well worth a walk in from the Croy village hall. There's a lovely small overgrown garden next to it. A very serene place.

Ronnie Murphy (2 years ago)
This is one of the most special places you will visit. I have attended Kildean Ministries Discipleship Course here over the past years. It is a place where God's presence is really felt as you walk through the garden and the forest and pathways. May this estate alway be used for God's work to glorify Him and honour Him.

Steven Garrington (2 years ago)
The ancestral home of the Rose family was a delight to visit. Whilst the Castle itself was very good, all my delight during my weekend visit was for the grounds, especially the arboretum. There is a Chilean Pine (Monkey Puzzle Tree more commonly) of such magnificence that this single tree made the visit worthwhile! The drop off at the rear leading to the river is also to be noted for its beauty. It's to be lamented that the site is not more easily accessed by the public as I believe that the castle and grounds are owned by a church organisation and is used as a retreat.

The Baron (3 years ago)
I loved the wee shed. Turns out it is a toilet. A number of fleeing Jacobites threw themselves in the river to evade capture went downstream and hid out here.

E L (3 years ago)
Great walks round here, highly recommend.

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