INVERGARRY CASTLE

Invergarry Castle was the seat of the Chiefs of the MacDonells of Glengarry, a powerful branch of the Clan Donald, known as the Clan Ranald of Knoydart and Glengarry. Its situation on Creagan an Fhithich - the Raven's Rock - overlooking Loch Oich in the Great Glen, was a strategic one in the days of clan feuds and Jacobite risings.

Invergarry Castle from the main drive
Invergarry Castle from the main drive
Invergarry Castle from Loch Oich
Invergarry Castle from Loch Oich

It is not certain when the first structure was erected on Creagan an Fhithich but there are sites of at least two prior to the present Castle.

The present structure was designed on the "L" plan, with a round tower at the north-east angle. The main building rose to five and the angle tower to six storeys in height. The hall, on the first floor, measured 44 by 20 feet.

Prince Charles Edward Stuart- "Bonnie Prince Charlie" - visited the Castle in 1745, shortly after the raising of the Royal Standard at Glenfinnan and is said to have rested there after his defeat at Culloden, in 1746. The redcoats of "Butcher" Cumberland burned it in 1746 after the Battle of Culloden but the stout walls refused to yield and have survived the centuries to serve as a reminder to their glorious past.

The Chief during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was Alasdair Ranaldson MacDonell, the subject of a famous portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn, which now hangs in the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh. This chief is said to have been Sir Walter Scott's prototype for Fergus MacIvor, a principal character in his novel "Waverley".

Historically Important Dates

1610-40

Building of first Castle of Invergarry

1645 Glengarry raided by the Covenanters

1646 Montrose visited the Castle

1654 Castle destroyed by General Monk

c.1660-65 Building of the new Castle

1690 Jacobite officers took refuge in the Castle

Invergarry lands declared forfeit

Glengarry built new fortifications

1692 Occupation by English troops

1715 Glengarry regained possession by force

1716 Reoccupied by English troops

Castle burned down

1727 Occupation by Thomas Rawlinson

1731 Glengarry regained the Castle as his home

1745-46 Prince Charles visited before and after Culloden

1750 Final destruction of the Castle

1838 The Glengarry portion of the estate sold to Marquis of Huntly

1839 Glenquoich estate sold to 'Bear' Ellice

1860 'Bear' Ellice added the Glengarry portion of his estate to his Glenquoich holding

This listing reproduced by permission of Glengarry Heritage Centre