We set out today for Kerrera, a very small Island near Oban. There is a passenger-only ferry which only takes a couple of minutes to cross from the mainland to Kerrera. As usual, they are very casual about ferry travel in Scotland and don’t take payment until the return trip.
The views from Kerrera are fabulous as the walk proceeds down the east side of the island, across the south and along the west before crossing back over the hills. At the south end of the island on a rocky outcrop is the terrific ruin of Gylen Castle. Gylen Castle (in Gaelic, Caisteal nan Geimhlean - Castle of the Fountains) was completed in 1582 and owned by the Chiefs of Clan MacDougall.
It was built as a fortified tower house in the Scots Baronial style and featured many interesting design features such as crow-stepped gables, corbelled cornices, the Oriel window and Romanesque carvings and patterns.
There is an Oriel window projecting over the entrance way, and these are rare in surviving ruins in the west highlands. The window was ornate in addition to being defensive as the floor boards came up to allow boiling water or rocks to be thrown down on potential assailants.
In 1647, Gylen came under attack by Covenanting troops, MacDougall was loyal to the king and a Royal garrison was living in the castle. The castle was so well defended the attackers could not storm the castle so they laid siege. It is unknown how long the siege went on but the water source from a natural spring was insufficient. The castle ran out of water, which is ironic in the west highlands where it usually rains.
The castle was ransacked and set on fire, destroying the roof, it has been unoccupied and without a roof ever since. All those in the castle who survived the siege were killed even after surrendering.
We didn’t know how long it would take to get back to the ferry jetty but got there just as the ferry was leaving. The ferryman brought the ferry back to the jetty and waved us on, which was very good of him!
Kerrera WalkThe views from Kerrera are fabulous as the walk proceeds down the east side of the island, across the south and along the west before crossing back over the hills. At the south end of the island on a rocky outcrop is the terrific ruin of Gylen Castle. Gylen Castle (in Gaelic, Caisteal nan Geimhlean - Castle of the Fountains) was completed in 1582 and owned by the Chiefs of Clan MacDougall.
It was built as a fortified tower house in the Scots Baronial style and featured many interesting design features such as crow-stepped gables, corbelled cornices, the Oriel window and Romanesque carvings and patterns.
There is an Oriel window projecting over the entrance way, and these are rare in surviving ruins in the west highlands. The window was ornate in addition to being defensive as the floor boards came up to allow boiling water or rocks to be thrown down on potential assailants.
In 1647, Gylen came under attack by Covenanting troops, MacDougall was loyal to the king and a Royal garrison was living in the castle. The castle was so well defended the attackers could not storm the castle so they laid siege. It is unknown how long the siege went on but the water source from a natural spring was insufficient. The castle ran out of water, which is ironic in the west highlands where it usually rains.
The castle was ransacked and set on fire, destroying the roof, it has been unoccupied and without a roof ever since. All those in the castle who survived the siege were killed even after surrendering.
We didn’t know how long it would take to get back to the ferry jetty but got there just as the ferry was leaving. The ferryman brought the ferry back to the jetty and waved us on, which was very good of him!
Gylen Castle
View from our lunch stop, Kerrera
The Oriel Window is the projection on the left, front of the castle
Odd Rock Beside the Path
Mountains in Argyll
A lot of these little critters around
No comments:
Post a Comment