Cawdor
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Castle
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Cawdor
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Castle
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The origins of Cawdor Castle and the Thanes thereof, go back to the Middle Ages. The earliest part of the present castle, the central keep, was begun in about 1400.
Sited for no particular tactical reason, it was nevertheless fortified as many medieval buildings were, as a place of refuge for a clan or group of kinsmen, from marauding bands (often neighbours or more distant kin!).From these early beginnings the castle grew in stages, successive generations of the family adding a room here and a building there.
Throughout the turbulent middle ages, by great good luck or judgement, the Thanes managed to be on the right side at the right time and retribution on their persons and property was, largely, avoided.The improvements to the castle were added with restraint and practicality, with the result that there is now a harmonious record of domestic and defensive architecture covering several centuries.
Little is known about the early Thanes of Cawdor. There is no evidence that Macbeth was one of them - the Shakespearean connection is tennuous, to say the least. The family survived through much skullduggery in the middle ages, becoming Campbell through a 'cross-bow' wedding to the Argyll-shire Campbells in 1510.The Campbells prospered, aquiring lands in England and Wales and an Earldom. By the end of the nineteenth century, they were respectable enough to participate in Queen Victoria's court. In more recent times the family have distinguished themselves as soldiers and sailors as well as in civilian service.
The castle and gardens, the latter of more than passing interest, are open seven days a week from May until October from 10am to 5.30pm.
The visitor can enjoy the castle which combines a remarkable aura of Scottish history with the warm domestic detail of the comfortable dwelling it is.
There are the gardens and trails through magnificent woodlands. For those who linger in this rewarding environment a shop and licenced restaurant are provided, to meet the fundamental needs.Cawdor Castle has entered the 21st Century with an excellent website of its own! This can be experienced at:
