Duntulm Castle

Duntulm Castle is a ruined castle located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, during a time of conflict between rival clans in the area, and was improved in the 16th century. The castle became the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacDonald of Sleat in the early 17th century, and saw further improvements at this time. However, in the early 18th century, the castle was abandoned when the MacDonalds built a new residence, Monkstadt House, using much of the castle’s stone as building material.

The castle is located on a basalt promontory above the sea, and is protected by a ditch along the landward side. It consists of the vaults of a tower, which once stood to four stories, surrounded by an irregular curtain wall. The only entrance to the castle was via a narrow cleft in the sea cliff. The castle is now in poor condition, with major falls of masonry occurring in recent years.

According to local legend, the castle was abandoned after the infant son of the chieftain who lived there fell from a window and was dashed on the rocks below. As a punishment, the nursemaid who was in charge of the child was set adrift on the North Atlantic in a small boat. The castle is now a scheduled monument, and is a popular tourist attraction.