Armadale Castle
Encyclopedia
Armadale Castle is a ruined country house in Armadale, Isle of Skye
, former home of the MacDonalds. A mansion house was first built here around 1790. In 1815 a Scottish baronial style
mock-castle, intended for show rather than defense, designed by James Gillespie Graham
, was built next to the house. After 1855 the part of the house destroyed by fire was replaced by a central wing, designed by David Bryce
. Since 1925 the castle, abandoned by the Macdonald family
, has fallen into ruin. The gardens around the castle have been maintained, and are now home to the Clan Donald Centre, which operates the Museum of the Isles.
Armadale, Isle of Skye
Armadale is a village near the southern end of the Sleat Peninsula, on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Like most of Sleat, but unlike most of Skye, the area is fairly fertile, and though there are hills, most do not reach a great height...
, former home of the MacDonalds. A mansion house was first built here around 1790. In 1815 a Scottish baronial style
Scottish baronial style
The Scottish Baronial style is part of the Gothic Revival architecture style, using stylistic elements and forms from castles, tower houses and mansions of the Gothic architecture period in Scotland, such as Craigievar Castle and Newark Castle, Port Glasgow. The revival style was popular from the...
mock-castle, intended for show rather than defense, designed by James Gillespie Graham
James Gillespie Graham
James Gillespie Graham was a Scottish architect, born in Dunblane. He is most notable for his work in the Scottish baronial style, as at Ayton Castle, and he worked in the Gothic Revival style, in which he was heavily influenced by the work of Augustus Pugin...
, was built next to the house. After 1855 the part of the house destroyed by fire was replaced by a central wing, designed by David Bryce
David Bryce
David Bryce FRSE FRIBA RSA was a Scottish architect. Born in Edinburgh, he was educated at the Royal High School and joined the office of architect William Burn in 1825, aged 22. By 1841, Bryce had risen to be Burn's partner...
. Since 1925 the castle, abandoned by the Macdonald family
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
, has fallen into ruin. The gardens around the castle have been maintained, and are now home to the Clan Donald Centre, which operates the Museum of the Isles.