One thing people love to see in Scotland is castles, and I am no exception when it comes to this. Growing up, some of my favourite places to visit on holiday and at the weekend were castles. During my very first trip to the Scottish Highlands 8 years ago, I remember standing in awe at the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle, which isn't far from where I live now.
Last autumn, I had the pleasure of spending a beautiful October Saturday at one of our local castles, Armadale Castle, on the Sleat Peninsula. This castle has long been on my list of places to visit in the Scottish Highlands, especially since my husband's family is a member of of Clan Donald. Armadale Castle is the home for Clan Donald, one of the largest clans in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Armadale Castle is now a ruin but I loved being able to enjoy the views from this spot. The castle itself has beautiful views over the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart and the munros of the West Highlands. I love spending time at ruined castles and imagining what life might have been like for those who lived there.
One part of our day that I found truly fascinating was our first to the Museum of the Isles. I actually don't know a lot of the history of this part of the world, so I loved learning all about the clan system, the history of Skye and Lochalsh, and more about the Highland Clearances. We were given hand-held audio devices, so we could listen to audio guides as we looked at each display and learn more about the history of the Isle of Skye, and the surrounding areas. We ended up spending over an hour, listening and looking at the history right in front of us. The Museum has lots of amazing artifacts, pictures and photographs that really highlight the amazing history of the Highlands and Islands.
If you're looking for history on your next trip to the Isle of Skye, I'd highly recommend checking out Armadale Castle and the Museum of the Isles. This is also a perfect spot to visit on a rainy day of Skye, as you can enjoy spending time in the Museum of the Isles for a couple of hours. If you love learning about the history of a place when you visit, this is the place for you.
Comments