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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 This is supported by historical documents and carbon dating.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)
paulbosse
Magnifique. Trés be!!es cou!eurs.
durleybeachbum
Amazing image.
jayfar
This could be an impressionists painting Steve, a lovely image.
Crabbycabby
Stunning landscape. Almost alien in appearance.
ia-du-lin
wonderful landscape, great atmo, beautiful place
BIPOLARTWO
A work of art
awjay
nice work
wysiwig
Superb image. I thought it was Poser or Terragen at first glance. Surreal sky and sun. Thanks for the information. I like anything Celtic.
fallen21
Fantastic picture!
A_Sunbeam
Great photo - would make a fine fantasy background!
Bossie_Boots
Wow what a capture just amazing !!
lonely_wolf
Great shot! WOW!
prutzworks
looks almost like a render
odile
what an excellent capture. And thanks for the story as well.
geoffwoods
nice bit of history thanks for sharing my friend and a nice piece of coastline Geoff.
GiMi53
Hard to believe that this is photography... (would appreciate some infos about camera settings, postwork, photomanip,...) Anyway, it is really a BEAUTIFUL image ! :~)
flora-crassella
GORGEOUS image!!!!!!!!!
morningglory
Beautiful. I did not think it was a photograph either. Incredible capture.
evinrude
Otherworldly. Superlative work.
tennesseecowgirl
stunning!
dakotabluemoon
Very beautiful work on this one.
JohnDelaquiox
fantastic scene and write
Feliciti
fantastic place and capture !! thanks for info about too !
Juliette.Gribnau
wonderful capture and scape !
kassad
Great shot and Postwork. Excellent. B->
photosynthesis
Beautiful & mysterious - great postwork...
brewgirlca
What a stunning photograph. I thought such landscapes only came from VUE!
SIGMAWORLD
Schönes Foto!
jophoto
Beautiful image and postwork.
Lashia
awesome summer shot and colours- thanks for sharing! :)
Selina Photography™