The Castle in the Loch.
Lochindorb, a 2-mile long freshwater Loch and a significant landmark on the desolate and bleak Dava moor which has few trees and little else in the way of stand-out features, except, of course, Lochindorb castle,
Only reachable by boat, it is located on an island halfway along the loch’s length towards the eastern banks.
As I was filming the castle, I began to wonder about the origin of the island and the castle,
whether it had been built on or around an earlier crannog.
Further research seemed to support this.
A large ancient oak beam of the type used in crannog construction has been found during investigations by divers on the bed of the loch, near to the shore of the island.

Built around 1290, possibly for Sir John Comyn, a decade or so later Edward longshanks, or the hammer of the Scots invaded Scotland, aiming to crush Braveheart William Wallace.
Edward upgraded the defences and from Lochindorb attacked neighbouring castles.
1335 saw the castle under siege by Sir Andrew Murray during the second war of Scottish independence.
2 granite shot balls were found in 1993, which may be from this siege.
In 1372, the infamous Wolf of Badenoch, Alexander Stewart took ownership of the castle and used it as a base to rampage through the north, burning the towns of Forres and Elgin, including the cathedral in the process.
The earl of Moray Archibald Douglas held the castle in 1455, but after his death in 1456 at the battle of Arkinholm, the crown ordered that the castle be dismantled,
and it has been a ruin ever since.

The corners of the castle were defended by four round towers.
In the enclosure, there are the remains of additional buildings, one known as the chapel and the other as the primary hall.

This brilliant watercolour illustration shows how the castle could have looked when still in use.

Lochindorb wouldn’t always have been in such desolate surroundings, there was once a densely wooded hunting estate with hazel, oak, birch, and pine.
Blackened tree stumps across Dava moor tell of a large fire destroying the trees.
Though there is no solid historic explanation, Folklore has it that Queen Mary of strathspey
in a fit of rage ordered the forest be burnt, after her husband had asked how his estate and hunting dogs were, without asking how she herself was, it seems the dogs would have copped it, too.
Hell, hath no fury like a woman scorned

#scotland


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🇬🇧 ABOUT EASTWOOD'S ADVENTURES 🇬🇧
Eastwood's Adventures is a YouTube channel which is dedicated to exploring the historic sites and interesting and beautiful places we visit during our travels around the United Kingdom, taking in England, Scotland and Wales.
Filmed and Edited by Chris, with help and support from Wife Leigh
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