Archaeologists uncover lost royal castle on a Scottish island

"The castle, on the island of Islay, was the centre of power for the Lords of the Isles, a powerful dynasty that ruled over large parts of western Scotland 700 years ago. This previously unknown castle would have boasted a great hall for feasting, a chapel, workshops, sleeping quarters and more. Lords of the Isles - strongly associated with Scotland's MacDonald clan - likely lived in comfort and luxury throughout their reign between the 13th and 15th centuries."

"According to experts, the grand fortress spanned two small islands at Loch Finlaggan, which is an important archeological region on Islay. New archaeological evidence reveals that a 'nameless' royal castle occupied both islands, which were connected by a manmade causeway or bridge. On the larger island was originally a large stone tower, which provided living quarters and extra security for the king or lord, acting as a lookout."

"The tower, estimated to have measured roughly 60ft by 60ft, would make it comparable in size to English castles, such as Carlisle, Bamburgh and Lancaster. On the other smaller island was a rectangular courtyard, containing kitchens, a chapel with a burial ground, houses, workshops, and a great hall where banquets took place. Only later did the Lords of the Isles reach the height of their power, in the 14th and 15th centuries, by which time buildings and layout had changed."

Archaeological work on Islay has uncovered the remains of a previously unknown royal castle used by the Lords of the Isles between the 13th and 15th centuries. The complex occupied two small islands at Loch Finlaggan joined by a manmade causeway or bridge. The larger island originally held a substantial stone tower serving as living quarters and a lookout, while the smaller island contained a rectangular courtyard with kitchens, a chapel and burial ground, workshops, houses and a great hall for banquets. The dynasty exercised semi-autonomous rule over western Scotland and the Western Isles until the fortress was destroyed in the late 15th century.

Read at Mail Online