Photos and the City

Tag: UK

  • Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel

    Passing Oban I was ready for another stop and nice stroll at Dunstaffnage Caste, an impressive but grim old ruinous walled castle right after Oban.

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    Built around 1220 by Duncan MacDougall, the son of Earl Somerled, known also as the ‘King of the Isles’, Dunstaffnage Castle was built at the height of the battle between Scotland and Norway for control of the Hebrides and was even once besieged by Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence. Its formidable stone curtain still has the power to inspire awe in visitors while Dunstaffnage Chapel, concealed amongst the trees, offers a stunning example of 13th century architecture. (Visit Scotland)

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    The former kitchen & fireplace

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    It´s one of Scotlands oldest castles and seen quite a lot of action during the centuries. But even before that there stronghold “was held by the kings of Dalriada in the 7th century, and one of the places where the Stone of Destiny was perhaps kept.” (The castle of Scotland)

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    The gatehouse inside the walls was added in the 18th century and the

    residential compartments are believed to be where Flora MacDonald is believed to have been held prisoner have helping Bonnie Prince Charlie evade capture by the Redcoats following his disastrous defeat at Culloden in 1746. (Visit Scotland)

    But she only stayed for a few days until she was moved into the Tower of London.

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    A little bit behind the castle in the woods there is a chapel also dating from the 13th century.

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  • Dunadd – Dùn Ad

    Dùn Ad – fort on the [river] Add

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    Discover the Gaelic Kingdom of Dál Riata and the royal centre of Dunadd – a stunningly beautiful hill fort in modern day Argyll, where a footprint in the rock marks the inaugural spot where the Gaelic kings were symbolically married to the land they were to rule – a consort to the female nature spirit which the Gaels worshipped from pagan times. (BBC)

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    I discovered Dunadd more or less by accident, the night before at Bellanoch I was browsing the Historic Environment Scotland looking for something else when I realised that Dunadd was just a few miles away from me. When I arrived at the tiny parking at the foot of the hill, I had it all for myself.

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    It´s a short but sometimes steep path uphill be careful when it´s raining or the rocks are wet.

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    Dunadd became the capital of the Gaelic kingdom of  Dál Riata founded in the early centuries AD after the Romans had left the area and Irish settled in western Scotland. It might have been an island until the sea levels went down in the 6th or 7th century and left the fort open to siege and seizure.

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    Already occupied in the Iron Age it became the seat of the Gaelic kings, it´s known for “unique stone carvings below the upper enclosure, including a footprint and basin thought to have formed part of Dál Riata’s coronation ritual.” (Wikipedia) It was mentioned as a fort, seat of the kings and important place until the 16th century.

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    Dunadd Fort rises proudly from Moine Mhor – the ‘great moss’ – an expanse of bog that carpets the southern end of Kilmartin Glen. It was home to a fort 2,000 years ago, and a royal power centre of Gaelic kings in the 500s to 800s AD.

    Below the mighty fort site are some extraordinary features carved into the rock, including two human footprint shapes – similar to a pair found at Clickimin Broch. (Historic Enviroment Scotland)

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  • Bellanoch

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    I finally arrived at my stop for the night, a lovely  Airbnb room in Bellanoch, right at the Crinan Canal. After all these hours behind the wheel, I was up for a walk and my host recommended me to walk along the canal towards Crinan.

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    The canal opened in 1801 and is about 9 miles long, connecting Crinan and Ardrishaig and providing a route between the Clyde and the Inner Hebrides.

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    Thanks to Queen Victoria travelling on the canal in 1847 it became a tourist attraction.

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    Arriving at Crinan, I had hoped for a cup of tea or coffee but everything was closed already so I just headed back.

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    Approaching my home from the other side and then having some tea with this window view!

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