If you’re hoping to visit a castle with a link to Clan MacKinnon, you're in luck, as there are a couple of beautiful and historical locations to choose from! Join us as we take you through the gorgeous locations associated with this illustrious Clan.
Dun Ringill (Castle Findanus)
Dun Ringill (in English, “fort at the point of the ravine”) was the first MacKinnon home on Skye and is considered the clan’s ancestral home. It is located east of Kirkibost on the west shore of Loch Slapin. The original structure on the site was an Iron Age broch constructed over 2000 years ago, however the site was occupied and modified up until the 19th century. The site was renovated during the medieval period and became the main residence of the MacKinnon chiefs by the late 14th century. Defences were updated with the addition of a parapet and the entrances were remodelled to make the site easier to defend. At the same time, the structure was made more comfortable with the addition of two hip-roofed buildings to the old fort. Outside the fort a small village was established. The name of the castle was changed at this time, and by 1360 it was officially known as Castle Findanus, a nod to the clan’s namesake. The stronghold remained home to the Clan’s chiefs until the middle of the 16th century. The castle disappears from the official record sometime before 1577, by which point the clan chiefs had moved their residence to Kilmorie. Today it survives in the form of a stacked stone ruin overlooking the loch.
Dunakin (Caisteal Maol)
Dunakin is a broch that commands the narrow sound between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland. It is a simple rectangular keep of three stories, in ruins today. The castle is known by various names including Castle Moil, Caisteal Maol, Dun Akyn, Dun Haakon and Castle Dunakin.
“Dun Haakon” hints at the links that the site has with Norway. King Haakon IV assembled his fleet of longships there before the 1263 Battle of Largs. His defeat effectively ended the Norse control of the Scottish Isles. Legend also says that Dunakin was occupied by a Norse princess known as Saucy Mary. Allegedly she regulated sea traffic at the Kyle of Lochalsh with the help of a huge iron chain which she stretched across the water. The chain meant she was able to levy a toll on all passing ships, except those coming from her home country. It is claimed that when she died, Saucy Mary was buried west of Broadford under a cairn on Beinn na Caillaich, with her face pointing towards her homeland. There is another story that claims that Saucy Mary married Findanus, who gave his name to Clan MacKinnon, and with it he gained ownership of the watchtower. However, the history does not quite match up – the tower dates to the 15th century, when it was built by the Lord of the Isles. It entered the MacKinnon family in the 16th century – in 1553, a meeting between chiefs took place at the castle, when it was decided to support Donald MacDonald as Lord of the Isles.
The final occupant of the castle was Neil MacKinnon, nephew of the Clan’s 26th chief, who lived there in the early 17th century. Later in the 17th century it was used as shelter by Jane, the sister of Chief Sir Lachlan MacKinnon, and her nephew Neil. Dunakin was destroyed by a fire, which may have been an accident or an act of war resulting from Cromwell’s cavalry’s visit to the Kyle in 1652. After this it became known commonly as Caisteal Maol (“the bald/roofless castle”). In 1949 and 1989 parts of the ruins were further destroyed in storms, which led to the remaining ruins being secured to prevent further deterioration, although in 2018 further damage was caused when the castle was struck by lightning.
Kilmarie House
The village of Kilmarie on Skye has traditionally been a Mackinnon stronghold. Originally built in the 16th century, Kilmarie House was the residence of clan Chief Sir Lachlan MacKinnon after he relocated from Castle Findanus. It is located on the Isle of Skye near a religious site associated with St Maelrubha, at the mouth of the Kilmarie River. The House is also adjacent to the Old Kilmarie Graveyard, which contains the bodies of many members of Clan MacKinnon. One clan member buried in the graveyard is the 18th century chief who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape in the aftermath of the uprising of 1745, and was imprisoned in England as a result. Upon his release in 1747, he returned to Kilmarie and fathered three children – an impressive fact, as he was already 71 years old when he was released from jail. One of his sons, Lachlan, died in Jamaica, and the older, Charles, became the new chief on his father’s death. Charles sold the Strathaird estate around Kilmarie in 1786, ending its close association with the MacKinnons. Scottish musician Ian Anderson, member of the band Jethro Tull, is a former owner of the house and estate. Anderson also has links to another site with a close association to MacKinnon – he wrote a song called “Dun Ringill,” with lyrics that call for a meeting down by the fort on a story night to “watch the old gods play.” Today the house and estate are managed by the John Muir Trust.
Which historic place is your favourite? Get in touch and let us know! In the meantime head to the Clan MacKinnon page for more fun facts about the clan.
