Claig Castle was a stronghold of the

Clan Donald Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald or Clan McDonald ( ), is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. Historically the chiefs of the Clan Donald held the title of Lord of the Isles until 1493 and two of those chiefs a ...

or MacDonald in the south of

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

History

The castle was once a massive fort described as a ''sea fortress'', which allowed the Macdonald

Lord of the Isles Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( or ; ) is a title of nobility in the Baronage of Scotland with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title was ...

to dominate and control the sea traffic north and south through the

Hebrides The Hebrides ( ; , ; ) are the largest archipelago in the United Kingdom, off the west coast of the Scotland, Scottish mainland. The islands fall into two main groups, based on their proximity to the mainland: the Inner Hebrides, Inner and Ou ...

for more than four centuries. The castle remained a stronghold of the MacDonalds until they were subdued in the 17th century by the

Clan Campbell Clan Campbell ( ) is a Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan, historically one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans. The Clan Campbell lands are in Argyll and within their lands lies Ben Cruachan. The chief of the clan be ...

Location

The castle is located at on the island of Am Fraoch Eilean which is just off the island of Jura.

External links

Am Fraoch Eilean, Claig Castle
Castles in Argyll and Bute Category C listed buildings in Argyll and Bute Listed castles in Scotland {{scotland-castle-stub

History

Location

See also

External links