Cawdor Castle, Scotland (Travel)

Castles in Highlands of Scotland: Cawdor Castle

Scotland is known for its castles. It has been said that there are few more romantic sights in the British Isles than a Scottish castle! I agree! I tried to select a variety for us to visit. After all – castles are not all alike! In fact, they are each very unique and different.

Scottish Highland Castles

Our 2nd port on our cruise around the British Isles, was the North Atlantic port of Invergordon and town of Inverness, Scotland.

We spent a full day in the Scottish Highlands. Our day trip included two vastly different Scottish castles: Cawdor Castle and Urquhart Castle on Loch (Lake) Ness, home of the infamous Loch Ness Monster, “Nessie.”

Welcome to Cawdor Castle

Cawdor Castle was the first castle on our Tour of the British Isles. First, it is unique in its own way because it is completely, elaborately furnished with original items. Second, while the castle is open to the public, the owner still lives here! I’m sure her apartment is quite grand in itself since this is a massive castle!

The current resident, Angelina Cawdor, “The Dowager Countess Cawdor,” can sometimes be seen strolling around the grounds, enjoying her vast estate! Our guide said she loves meeting the visitors while working in the gift shop on occasion!

This quaint cottage serves a a welcome center for visitors to the castle.

Cawdor Castle: History & Lore

The Thanes of Cawdor as Celts. . .

The Thanes of Cawdor were important Celtic lords during the 12th century. They had jurisdiction of the county that is now part of the shire of Inverness. Construction of Cawdor Castle began in 1375 and was completed around 1396.

The Thanes of Cawdor in Shakespeare. . .

Cawdor Castle, as do most castles, has many stories within its walls and gardens! Thane of Cawdor is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. In William’s Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the title was awarded to Macbeth after the previous Thane of Cawdor had been captured and executed for treason against King Duncan. Legend has it that the Cawdor Castle and the scene of his murder of King Duncan take place here. However, history does not prove that either man ever came here. But it is a great story none-the-less!

The Thanes of Cawdor & the Holly Tree. . .

Preserved in the castle’s vaults is an ancient holly tree which carries its own story. In 1372, according to legend, Thane Williams was on a search for a place to build a fortress. He decided to build his new tower on a to-be-determined location based on a dream. Acting on his dream, he loaded his donkey with gold and let it freely roam around the countryside. When it stopped to rest under a holly tree, the Thane took it as a sign. He then built his tower around the living tree. Visitors today can still see this holly tree in the dungeon.

Today, after 600 years of continuous occupation, it is still the home of the Thanes of Cawdor.

Cawdor Castle: the Exterior

Cawdor Castle, one of most romantic and stately ones in the Scottish Highlands, boasts a turreted central tower, a moat and a drawbridge!

Turrets, a Moat & A Drawbridge

Cawdor Castle: The Interior

With 600 years of continuous ownership by the same family, it is a treasure trove of family history and artifacts. This includes rare tapestries and portraits by Joshua Reynolds and George Romney (18th century painters).

Furniture in the Pink Bedroom and Woodcock Room include work by infamous furniture designers and manufacturers, Chippendale and Sheraton.

Cawdor Castle: Nooks & Crannies

The unexpected met us around every corner, up every staircase, and on every floor!

Tartan Plaid Carpet, Rifles as Art, Tapestries, Original Art

Mystery lurked around every corner… up every stairway…

View of the Gardens

The Dungeon…

Cawdor Castle: the Gardens

Uniquely for a Scottish Castle, Cawdor boasts three very different gardens which spread out for acres and acres. Flower gardens, wild gardens, walled gardens and a woodland play area also hold secrets. The clipped hedges, topiary, holly maze and parterres of the Walled Garden are amongst the most striking features of Cawdor. Well-manicured and maintained, they also carry a sense of humor! Surprise sculptures pop up all over! Our guide alerted us to watch for them or we might have missed them. I’ve shared some of them here.

The large sphere in the garden below holds significance beyond the aesthetic. It represents the sun in our solar system and signifies its importance as the foundation of all life. The Earth is symbolized with the lead dish.

Cawdor Castle Gardens: Surprise Art

Art is central to the gardens at Cawdor. A bronze Minotaur, an Orchid Tree bird feeder, a statue of Adam and Eve Leaving Paradise and a huge orb made of slate and lead are a few examples. Here are a couple of my favorites.

Golden Globe in a Tree

This sculpture, set at the side of the gardens, is easily missed if one is not intentionally looking for it. When the leaves blossom and fill in the branches, it evokes even more of a secret discovery!

Orchid Tree Bird Feeder as Art

It was fun to watch the birds enjoy this whimsical bird feeder!

Water Spouting Fish Sculpture

Tucked away in a corner of a side garden, this fish was a delightful surprise, even if our guide had instructed us to watch for it! Watching for its intermittent water spouts made it even more fun!

Cawdor Castle: Bag Pipe Music in the Air

We enjoyed the music of bag pipes everywhere we went in Scotland. I suppose we visitors expect to hear it, so they make it happen for us! But it was delightful to hear the music waft through the air as we ambled through the Cawdor Castle Gardens. As we exited the garden to enter the yard, we discovered our colorful piper amongst the trees, engaging our visual senses as well.

The splendid Cawdor Castle was a wonderful introduction to Scottish Castles. It felt like a living home, rather than a museum. I enjoyed exploring its sumptuous rooms filled with exquisite furnishings and family keepsakes. The audio guide was helpful for filling in details and stories.

Visit

• Address – B9090, Cawdor, Nairn IV12 5RD, United Kingdom
• cawdorcastle.com

Sources

• Cawdor Castle group tour guide and site audio guide
• DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Great Britain 2003 ed.

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