Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle

ID: QZP40_U_172_P022 DESCRIPTION: Dunrobin Castle is situated about a mile north of Golspie. It is the ancestral seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. The earliest part of the castle is said to date from around 1275. L-shaped extensions were built on either side between 1672-82. Further, extensive remodelling took place between 1845 and 1851 by Sir Charles Barry, who created the castle's French fairy-tale appearance. The castle was damaged by a fire in 1915 while being used as a military hospital and the interiors were redesigned by Sir Robert Lorimer. The Sutherland family gained notoriety during the time of the 1st Duke of Sutherland, George Granville Leveson-Gower (1758-1833). He believed that the Sutherland countryside could not support large-scale subsistence farming long term. He cleared tenants from the interior and re-settled them on the coasts. Many other families emigrated to North America. The Sutherland clearances were carried out in such a brutal and ruthless way that the Duke and his factors are remembered with hatred and disdain. This illustration was taken from 'Remarkable Ruins and Romantic Prospects', by Charles Cordiner (1788) PLACENAME: Dunrobin Castle DISTRICT: Golspie, Rogart and Lairg OLD COUNTY/PARISH: SUTHERLAND: Golspie CREATOR (AV): Peter Mazell DATE OF IMAGE: 1788 PERIOD: 1780s SOURCE: Highland Libraries COLLECTION: Remarkable Ruins and Romantic Prospects Asset ID: 38323 KEYWORDS: