Dumbarton Castle
Goblinshead |
130 Inveresk Rd Musselburgh EH21 7AY SCOTLAND |
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| Standing on a commanding rock on the north shore of the Clyde, little remains of the medieval Dumbarton Castle, which now consists of 18th and 19th century fortifications, except the 14th-century entrance. Meaning 'fortress of the Britons', Dumbarton is first mentioned around 450 as the stronghold of the kings of Strathclyde. In 756 it was captured by Picts and Northumbrians, and in 870 was besieged by Irish raiders, who captured the rock only after four months of fighting, starving the garrison into surrender. Owen the Bald, the last King of Strathclyde, died at the Battle of Carham in 1018, and Strathclyde was absorbed into the kingdom of Scots. Dumbarton became a royal castle, and was a formidable fortress. William Wallace was held here before being taken to London for execution in 1305. In 1333 the young David II sheltered in the castle during fighting with the English. James IV besieged Dumbarton twice in 1489 to remove the Earl of Lennox, the second time successfully, and then used it as a base to destroy the Lord of the Isles. After the disastrous Battle of Pinkie in 1547, the infant Mary, Queen of Scots, was kept at Dumbarton for some months before being taken to France. The Earl of Morton and Patrick Stewart, 3rd Earl of Orkney, were imprisoned here before execution in 1581 and 1614 respectively. In 1654 a Royalist force made a successful surprise attack on Cromwell's garrison. The castle was badly damaged during this period, and was then developed for artillery over the coming centuries. Exhibition in Governor's House. |
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653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk
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Goblinshead
Coding and layout copyright Scotland
2000
