Muness Castle

Muness Castle

Muness Castle is located on Unst, which is one of the Shetland Islands of Scotland. The castle is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) east of the village of Uyeasound. Unst is Scotland's most northerly inhabited island, and Muness is the most northerly fortalice in the British Isles.[1]

History

The castle was built in 1598 for Laurence Bruce of Cultmalindie, half-brother to Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney. Earl Robert was succeeded by his son Patrick in 1593. The building may have been constructed under the direction of Andrew Crawford, Earl Patrick's master of works, who also oversaw construction of Scalloway Castle and the Earl's Palace at Kirkwall, Orkney.[2]

In 1627 the castle was burnt down, and may never have been fully repaired.[3] The castle is now roofless and missing its upper storey. Aerial photographs reveal the possible presence of a formal garden to the south-west of the castle.[3] It is in the care of Historic Scotland as a Scheduled monument.[2]

References

  1. Tranter 1970, p. 167.
  2. 1 2 "Muness Castle SM90224". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Muness Castle". Canmore. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  • Tranter, Nigel (1970). The fortified house in Scotland. Vol.5 North and West Scotland and miscellaneous. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd/W. & R. Chambers. ISBN 978-0-550-21210-8.

Coordinates: 60°41′22.19″N 0°50′57.04″W / 60.6894972°N 0.8491778°W / 60.6894972; -0.8491778

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