CASTLE MAOL by GARAGELAND

Photography • Landscape • posted on Aug 16, 2011

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Description

Castle Maol is a ruined castle located near the harbour of the village of Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, Scotland. (Please Zoom, it really is a photo) The castle, an ancient seat of the Mackinnon clan, was a fortress commanding the strait of Kyle Akin between Skye and the mainland, through which all ships had to pass or else attempt the stormy passage of The Minch. The present building dates back to the 15th century, but is traditionally reputed to be of much earlier origin. According to that tradition, AlpÃ�Ân mac Echdach's great-grandson Findanus, the 4th MacKinnon chief, brought Dunakin into the clan around the year 900 by marrying a Norse princess nicknamed 'Saucy Mary'. Findanus and his bride ran a heavy chain across the sound and levied a toll on all shipping vessels. The Princess lies buried on Beinn na Caillich on Skye, her face reputedly turned towards Norway. Whatever the veracity of the castle's traditional history, there is good reason for supposing the existence of a connection of some kind with Norway. King Haakon IV is thought to have assembled his fleet of longships there before the Battle of Largs in 1263 (hence the name Kyleakin - Haakon's kyle). Haakon's defeat there effectively ended Norse domination of the islands. Mediaeval and early modern documents also refer to the castle itself as Dunakin (Dun-Haakon), which is again strongly suggestive of a Norse connection. The present structure is of late 15th or early 16th century construction. This is supported by historical documents and carbon dating. In 1513, a meeting of chiefs was held here and they agreed to support Donald MacDonald as Lord of the Isles. The last occupant of the castle was Neill MacKinnon, nephew of 26th chief of the clan (c. 1601). Have a nice day.

Comments (41)

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paulbosse

2:03AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Magnifique. Trés be!!es cou!eurs.

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durleybeachbum

2:06AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Amazing image.

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jayfar

2:07AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

This could be an impressionists painting Steve, a lovely image.

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Crabbycabby

2:07AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Stunning landscape. Almost alien in appearance.

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ia-du-lin

2:08AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

wonderful landscape, great atmo, beautiful place

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BIPOLARTWO

2:14AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

A work of art

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awjay

2:17AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

nice work

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wysiwig

2:26AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Superb image. I thought it was Poser or Terragen at first glance. Surreal sky and sun. Thanks for the information. I like anything Celtic.

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fallen21

2:34AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Fantastic picture!

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A_Sunbeam

2:37AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Great photo - would make a fine fantasy background!

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Bossie_Boots

2:37AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Wow what a capture just amazing !!

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lonely_wolf

2:44AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Great shot! WOW!

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prutzworks

2:48AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

looks almost like a render

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odile

3:28AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

what an excellent capture. And thanks for the story as well.

geoffwoods

3:29AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

nice bit of history thanks for sharing my friend and a nice piece of coastline Geoff.

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GiMi53

3:57AM | Tue, 16 August 2011

Hard to believe that this is photography... (would appreciate some infos about camera settings, postwork, photomanip,...) Anyway, it is really a BEAUTIFUL image ! :~)

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