Glen & Kris

Scotland 2010, Part 1

<h3>Caerlaverlock Castle</h3>Caerlaverlock castle was built about 1270. The original castle was built 50 years earlier a half mile south of here, but was abandoned for lack of suitable ground. <h3>Caerlaverlock Castle</h3>The south wall is largely missing, and the southeast tower would have been on the right in this photo. <h3>Caerlaverlock Castle</h3>Here is the entrance from the north where a drawbridge once stood. <h3>Caerlaverlock Castle</h3>The view across the south wall. The moat is still in place. <h3>Caerlaverlock Castle</h3>An interior residence was probably added by the Earl of Nithsdale about 1634. The wooden floors are gone. <h3>Caerlaverlock Castle</h3>The castle fell into disuse about 1640 when it was abandoned after a siege by Covenanters. After that, it likely would have been raided for building materials. <h3>Cairnholy I & II</h3>Cairnholy I is a burial chamber estimated to have been constructed between 4000 and 2000 BCE. The chambers were in use for several centuries. <h3>Cairnholy I & II</h3>Two central stones above ground form the entrance to an outer underground chamber. A second, inner chamber is sealed and inaccesible from the outer one. The outer chamber and the above-ground rocks are thought to be later additions. <h3>Cairnholy I & II</h3>Cairnholy II is about 150 meters away and of similar - though less elaborate - construction. Both sites were excavated in the 1940's by Stuart Piggott and T. G. E. Powell. The soil is very acidic, so human remains had all been dissolved by the time the anthropologists started their investigation. <h3>Cairnholy I & II</h3>A cap stone is visible from the back of Cairnholy II. Anthropologists found Neolithic tools, such as arrow heads and a flint knife in both tombs. A rare jadeite axe was found in Cairnholy I. Jadeite was sourced from the Alps and was a sign of wealth. <h3>Cardoness Castle</h3>Cardoness Castle was first mentioned in records in 1220, but the present day building was constructed by the MacCullochs about 1470. <h3>Cardoness Castle</h3>When it was first built, the sea came all the way to the base of the castle's foundation. In 1824, the adjacent land was reclaimed from the sea for farming, pushing the shoreline farther south. <h3>Cardoness Castle</h3>The castle was built with six floors. The wooden floors are long-gone, revealing a series of fireplaces to keep each room warm. <h3>Cardoness Castle</h3>Much of the stone-work inside is very ornate. <h3>Cardoness Castle</h3>Here are some sitting benches adjacent to windows that look to the north. <h3>Cardoness Castle</h3>This keyhole through the wall would have allowed defenders to fire arrows at enemies. <h3>Cardoness Castle</h3>Even with the more distant shore, there is a dramatic view of Fleet Bay from the top floor of the castle. England is just across the water. <h3>Dalhousie Castle</h3>The first castle at Dalhousie was built by Simundus de Ramesie in the late 12th century. <h3>Dalhousie Castle</h3>The oldest part of the current castle — the drum tower and L-shaped addition — date to the 15th century. <h3>Dalhousie Castle</h3>Here's Kris looking out our third-floor window. Stone work from different eras are easily visible in this photo. Prior to its current use as a hotel, Dalhousie was used as a boy's school in the 1950's. <h3>Dalhousie Castle</h3>This ice house is just down the hill by the river. It is as old as Dalhousie. <h3>Dalhousie Castle</h3>The library was a great place to relax at the end of the day. Kris is enjoying some fine Oban single malt whisky. <h3>Dryburgh Abbey</h3>Dryburgh Abbey was built in 1150 by Hugh de Moreville. Sir Walter Scott was buried in the building shown here in 1832. <span class='myGreyFont'>[End of Scotland 2010, Part 1. Go to <a href='scotland-2.html'>Part 2</a> or <a href='../index.html'>return</a> to the Photos page.]</span>