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MHG5215 - Duntulm Castle

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NG47SW 1 4098 7434.

NG 4098 7434 Duntulm Castle (NR) (Ruins of) Fosse (NR)
OS 6"map, Isle of Skye, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed., (1904)

Duntulm Castle, the later seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat, stands on a quadrangular site 50' above the level of the sea, and has cliffs sinking steeply to the sea on three sides, while the fourth or landward approach slopes downward to a dry ditch cut through rock and earth. Midway a broad track crosses at nearly outside level, but this seems to have been formed in late times for convenience of approach. The depth of the ditch varies, but at some parts, where least worn down, is from 10'- 15'.

The principal structure of 15th century date, about 82' in length and 30' in breadth, lies athwart the site fronting the ditch, and from the buildings screen walls return, closely following the cliff edge, and enclosure an area, irregular in shape, of about 800 square yards; the interior level of the enclosure is very irregular and there are indications of vaulted substructures, in places built against the outer wall, over nearly the whole of it. A small 17th century tower has been added to the main block, with which it communicated, and projects within the courtyard. Beyond the tower in the NW corner of the enclosure is a later house 34' in length and 15' in breadth within walls 2' 2" thick. The walls of the enciente vary considerably in thickness. The NE angle of the enclosure is a projecting bastion circular on the lower part, the upper part being angular. The E angle of the main block is aldo an angular bastion. The building throughout is in the local basaltic rubble, some of which is much weather-worn. It is in a very bad condition and much of it has fallen within recent years (RCAHMS 1928).

Historical Note: The earliest reference to Duntulm is by Munro (M Martin 1934) in 1549 where it is noted as 'the castell of Donntwyline pertaining to Donald Gromsone'. Another reference to Duntulm, dated by Skene (1886-90) to the late 16th century, notes it as a ruin; in 1617 the Privy Council required Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat to make it his seat and if the present buildings were not suitable to build or rebuild. (The ancient seat of the Sleat Macdonalds or Clan Husdein had been Dun Scaich: NG51SE 1 - RCAHMS 1928, No 599).

In or about 1732 Duntulm was abandoned in favour of Monkstadt House (NG36NE 7) the castle providing material for the rebuilding of that place. The traditional predecessor of this castle was Dun David, or Dun Dhaibhidh. RCAHMS refer to it thus:- "Dun David, now the site of the ruins of Duntulm Castle. Martin (1934) names a Dun David but does not specify it further". On his map Duntulm Castle and Dunvegan Castle are given their own names.
W F Skene 1886-90; RCAHMS 1928; M Martin 1934; J Macintyre 1938; S Gordon 1950.

Duntulm Castle: as described above but in poor condition. No trace of the supposed Dun David was found.
Visited by OS (C F W) 25 April 1961.

An illustrated account of the castle is included in a book on the medieval castles of Skye and Lochalsh by R Miket and D L Roberts. <1>

A Conservation Study for the castle was commissioned ny Kilmuir Community Council and produced bu LDN Architects with nmajor contributions from Elliott & Company, Torrance Partnership, West Coast Archaeological Services and A Wright in 2012. <2>

A watching brief and remedial works were carried out at the castle by West Coast Archaeological Services in 2026, including the installation of a new access gate, and cleaning of overburden from the steps accessing the subterranean vault/kitchen within the basement of the main tower. The work was undertaken to assess the nature and extent of any archaeological features or deposits likely to be affected by the installation of the new gate, while metal detecting of any removed sediments was carried out. Cleaning of the steps into the subterranean vault did not encounter any in-situ archaeological deposits, while metal detecting recovered no finds. Sediments removed during the installation of the new access gate also produced no finds. However, excavation of one of the post-holes for the new access gate revealed in-situ archaeological deposits comprising orange and black ash, within the outer edge of the causeway between the terminals of the rock-cut ditch, providing access to the castle. It was recommended that the samples should be processed to see what information they might contain and especially, to see if they contain viable samples for radiocarbon dating. <3>

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 4098 7435 (73m by 69m)
Map sheet	NG47SW
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	KILMUIR

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