Scotland - Dunvegan Castle and Gardens

It was a rainy day when we arrived at Dunvegan Castle.

Our first glimpse of the castle.

Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and ancestral home of the Chief of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.

Upon entry to the castle, we stowed our umbrellas in the coat room on the left.  This staircase rose right in front of us.

Of course the hallways was lined with portraits of past chiefs...

and their wives

Click to enlarge for reading

Old stairs that lead further up into the tower.

Read about bed in previous post

Headboard of bed





Saw this in dining room but don't have a clue what it is.

 

 

The detail on this sideboard was amazing.  Absolutely beautifl

Another angle on sideboard shows the engravings of human pillars

 

Norman, 23rd Chief of Macleod, Born 1754 and died 1801

Sarah, daughter of N. Stackhouse, second wife of Norman, 23rd Chief.  Born 1769 and died 1829

Beautiful inlayed table under the Fairy Flag

Servant's quarters

Despite the drizzle and wind, we went out to explore the many gardens surrounding the castle.

In the Round Garden, we find a round flowerbed divided into pie shaped wedges with different flowers.  It also has a large monkey puzzle tree.

Close up of monkey puzzle tree.  Each "leaf" lasts up to 40 years.

Round Garden from a different prospective.

Off to the Walled Garden

Greenhouse in Walled Garden.

Sundial

Looking at the various sides, you can determine the date and time.... didn't say I could do it.

From a distance, my sister and I both thought these were dogs.   Yorkies, obviously



The Water Gardens
 

 

Some more Chilean Rhubarb

Korean Fir had purple cones.

And they project straight up

I wonder how many kids... of all ages, ride this tree every year.

Tad bit foggy on the way back to the B&B

Largest campground I saw in Scotland

If you look closely, the sign on the fence declares this area is "Peiness".  Don't know how they pronounce that.