Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A 500-year-old ruined castle has suffered damage after a visitor dismantled part of its wall in order to create stepping stones over a large puddle. Ardvrek Castle, situated on a small peninsula extending into Loch Assynt near Inchnadamph in the northwest Highlands, has long been a historic site. It served as the clan seat for the MacLeods of Assynt and is now under the care of Historic Assynt, a charity dedicated to preserving the location.
According to Historic Assynt, the wall had only recently been repaired after earlier damage occurred a few months ago. A spokesperson from the charity expressed frustration over the incident, stating: “Advice to visitors is the usual – leave only footprints.” They highlighted the risk of losing the castle altogether due to such actions. The spokesperson further remarked, “This year, some special individuals decided when the water was over the beach area, rather than get their little tootsies wet, they would rip down a 500-year-old wall to make a path for themselves. Truly unbelievable, but it happened.”
Repairs to the damaged wall received assistance from Historic Environment Scotland along with local estate staff. Beyond the stepping stones incident, Historic Assynt has reported other issues, including visitors climbing on the fragile walls and theft of the charity box placed on site. These activities pose ongoing threats to the preservation of the castle ruins.
Built in 1597 on the north side of the loch amid a vast region of hills and mountains, Ardvrek Castle has a rich history. Notably, the Marquis of Montrose, a Royalist general during the 17th-century civil wars, was imprisoned there in 1650 following his defeat at the Battle of Carbisdale. The castle later fell into the hands of the MacKenzies of Assynt during a siege in 1672 and was eventually abandoned, leading to its ruined state today. Folklore surrounding the site includes tales of haunting by a ghostly man and a weeping woman, adding a layer of eerie legend to this historic fortress
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.