Inveraray Castle, Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom

Inveraray Castle is a country house which has been the seat of the Duke of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, since the 17th century. Work on the castle began in the 1750s, in Gothic revival style. Later additions included a third floor with dormer windows and steep conical roofs. The village of Inveraray was moved in the 1770s to give the castle a more secluded setting.

Designers who worked on the house include William Adam and Roger Morris; the interior includes a number of neoclassical rooms created for the 5th Duke by Robert Mylne. These are among the rooms open to the public.

In 1975, a devastating fire struck Inveraray and for some time the 12th Duke and his family lived in the castle's basement, while restorations requiring a worldwide fund raising drive were carried out. Today the castle is open to visitors. Its collection includes more than 1,300 pikes, muskets, swords and other weapons.

The 13th Duke and his family live in private apartments occupying two floors and set between two of the castle's crenellated circular towers. Recent renovations included the installation of the house's first central heating.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Robert Clelland (Rab) (5 months ago)
My girlfriend went into hospital ? for an operation on her arm. So she was allowed back out the same day. So on waiting on her to come out.... I had the chance to do some travelling and got as far as Inveraray for a few hour before I had to return and collect her. It was a nice day for me too. So I had to make up and do more travelling a few days later. She can't drive for the next 2 week. Awe... The castle wasn't open today

Francis55 (6 months ago)
Bucket List when the world opens up! Watched tour on YouTube... rich history + very impressived by the innovation of the owners ! They are able to SAVE HISTORY, and open up that rich history for everyone to enjoy + make a living doing it! KUDOS

Joyful Dreams (13 months ago)
This castle is absolutely amazing! The staff is so kind and lovely. They welcomed us with a big smile and you can feel that they love their work. Also the castle is so beautiful! You feel like you're in à fairytale. You can have a little visit inside were you can learn more about the castle and who lived here. It was very interesting! At the end of the visit you can have a walk in the garden to take some nice pictures of the castle. We also stopped at the café to eat and drink something. It was nice too! And the surprise is you can see some Highland Cows. I was so happy to see some even though they were a bit away. But if you're lucky they can come closer!

Clem Dallaway (13 months ago)
Amazing, beautiful castle, steeped in history

Karyn Dickson (13 months ago)
Gorgeous place and the surroundings as well

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Royal Palace of Olite

The Palace of the Kings of Navarre of Olite was one of the seats of the Court of the Kingdom of Navarre, since the reign of Charles III 'the Noble' until its conquest by Castile (1512). The fortification is both castle and palace, although it was built more like a courtier building to fulfill a military function.

On an ancient Roman fortification was built during the reign of Sancho VII of Navarre (13th century) and extended by his successors Theobald I and Theobald II, which the latter was is installed in the palace in 1269 and there he signed the consent letter for the wedding of Blanche of Artois with his brother Henry I of Navarre, who in turn, Henry I since 1271 used the palace as a temporary residence. This ancient area is known as the Old Palace.

Then the palace was housing the Navarrese court from the 14th until 16th centuries, Since the annexation (integration) of the kingdom of Navarre for the Crown of Castile in 1512 began the decline of the castle and therefore its practically neglect and deterioration. At that time it was an official residence for the Viceroys of Navarre.

In 1813 Navarrese guerrilla fighter Espoz y Mina during the Napoleonic French Invasion burned the palace with the aim to French could not make forts in it, which almost brought in ruin. It is since 1937 when architects José and Javier Yarnoz Larrosa began the rehabilitation (except the non-damaged church) for the castle palace, giving it back its original appearance and see today. The restoration work was completed in 1967 and was paid by the Foral Government of Navarre.

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