Built on a rocky promontory, this huge 14th century keep, 15th century tower and a hall built in the 17th century, has been continuously occupied by the chiefs of the clan MacLeod since at least 1270 (longer than any other family castle in Scotland). It appears that the first Leod obtained the castle when he married the local Norse Seneschall (Sheriff) in the 13th century.
Overlooking the sea in the north-west corner of Skye, at one time the castle had a curtain wall surrounding it. The ornamental battlements which are seen today were added during a remodeling of the castle in the 19th century.
In the tower house is the Fairy Flag of Dunvegan, said to have been given to an early chief by his fairy wife. Whenever it is unfurled it is supposed to give victory to the Clan MacLeod. It certainly seemed to work at the battles of Glendale in 1490 and Trumpan in 1580 (after the MacDonalds had massacred many MacLeods in the church there). Other powers of the flag are said to be to make the marriages of the MacLeod chiefs fruitful - and to charm the herrings in the loch when it is unfurled. Historians have suggested that despite its legendary history, the "Fairy Flag" may have been captured from a Saracen on a crusade. Nowadays it is a frail relic.
Click on "Show on map" button to see location of the castle
Have any question?
