The 20,000
acre Armadale estate was purchased by the Clan Donald Lands Trust in 1972. Lord MacDonald
had abandoned the castle, and much of it had to be demolished. However, the ruins of the
entrance doorway and stairs of the 1815 Gillespie Graham block survived. Adjoining are the
complete walls of the 1855 David Bryce block, which await restoration. Next to this is the
1790 block, totally restored and home of the Museum of the Isles, which tells the story of
the Lords of the Isles and Hebridean history. This is the oldest part of the castle.
Within the grounds are the
restored 1822 Gillespie Graham stables, with a restaurant, shop and holiday suite inside,
and the Gardener’s Cottage of 1870 which houses an exhibition area and family history
library. There are gardens and woodland walks.
Armadale
has only been the seat of the MacDonalds since 1790, but the land had been theirs from the
15th century, the ruins of their Caisteal Chamuis being three miles further
along the coast. In 1925 the castle was abandoned in favour of the smaller Kinloch Lodge
some miles to the north. |
