Читать книгу The Isle of Skye. Graded walks and scrambles throughout Skye, including the Cuillin онлайн

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ARMADALE CASTLE

The Macdonalds arrived in Skye from the Southern Hebrides, in the 15th century, occupying Dunscaith and Knock Castle, both only a few miles from Armadale. By 1650 there were two farmhouses at Armadale, but after 1690 the family moved to Duntulm Castle in the north of Skye. Around 1790 the first Lord Macdonald returned to Armadale to build a new mansion house, part of which remains as the white section of the building seen today.

In 1815 this was extended to form Armadale Castle. In 1855 fire destroyed much of the original house which was partly replaced by the present central block. In 1925 the Macdonald family moved to a smaller house a few miles away, leaving the castle to the wind and rain.

The path passes ancient trees and rhododendron before arriving at a minor junction near a deer gate (the Red Trail turns through the gate, but for now ignore it). Bear right to a path junction a few strides further on, and there turn left (for White Gate). This path leads through agreeable woodland and emerges briefly beside the road. Ascend immediately left to rejoin the Red Trail, now followed through light woodland to another broad trail at a deer gate – White Gate – once more just above the main road.