Ancient Monuments

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Caisteal Maol (Castle Moyle), Kyleakin, Skye

A Scheduled Monument in Eilean á Chèo, Highland

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Coordinates

Latitude: 57.2727 / 57°16'21"N

Longitude: -5.7205 / 5°43'13"W

OS Eastings: 175802

OS Northings: 826352

OS Grid: NG758263

Mapcode National: GBR D98H.LHD

Mapcode Global: WH0B6.3G7K

Entry Name: Caisteal Maol (Castle Moyle), Kyleakin, Skye

Scheduled Date: 10 November 1953

Last Amended: 10 June 1998

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM951

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Secular: tower

Location: Strath

County: Highland

Electoral Ward: Eilean á Chèo

Traditional County: Inverness-shire

Description

This monument consists of the remains of a medieval tower and an area around it.

The very fragmentary condition of the castle - only the N and S walls have masonry standing to any great height - makes interpretation of the building difficult. It is a simple rectangular tower which appears to have had its entrance on the first floor with access to the ground-floor cellar being from above. The tower rose to a second floor with the third floor being a garret at wall head level.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular, extending 20m out from the N and S walls of the tower and 23m out from the E and W walls, to include the tower and an area which may contain evidence relating to its construction and use. Excluded from the scheduling are the electrical fittings (but not the housings or cable runs) of the floodlights, and the bench and interpretation board to the W of the tower. The area measures approximately 60m WSW-ENE by 50m and is marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

This monument is of national importance as a prominent tower in a strategic position above Kyle Akin. Built by the MacKinnon family in the 15th century, it was the location of a meeting of chiefs after James V's death, where it was decided to raise Sir Donald MacDonald to the dignity of Lord of the Isles. Tradition associated the site with King Haakon of Norway and it may be that the visible remains replaced an earlier structure. The castle and the surrounding area have the potential to increase our knowledge of the use of such key sites on the Highland West Coast.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NG 72 NE 1.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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