Duntulm Castle at Sunset

Duntulm Castle at Sunset

ID: SLD_182_029 DESCRIPTION: The ruins of Duntulm Castle are silhouetted against the sun setting behind Harris. Situated on a promontory overlooking Luib Score in the north of the Trotternish peninsula on Skye, Duntulm was originally the site of an Iron Age Fort. It changed hands several times between the MacLeods and MacDonalds, both clans attracted by its impressive and almost impregnable situation with sea cliffs on three sides. It eventually became a MacDonald stronghold around 1539. After a period of abandonment, the castle was repaired and refurbished in the early 17th century by Sir Donald MacDonald of Sleat and, for a time, Duntulm was known for its feasts, balls and music. Sadly this period of grandeur and enlightenment did not last and the MacDonalds established a home on their lands at Armadale in south Skye. Whilst retaining possession of Duntulm, no chief of the MacDonalds resided there after 1720. By the 1730s the deserted site was being quarried for stone to build a new, smaller residence at Monkstadt, some 8 km (5 miles) away. This partial dismantling, coupled with its exposed position, conspired to hasten the decay and collapse of the structure. The tower walls, once embellished with turrets and decorative stonework, have collapsed and debris fills the vaulted chambers and dungeons. Despite some stabilization work, the castle remains in a somewhat precarious state, although its dramatic setting continues to attract thousands of visitors. Olivia James The images in this collection are a selection from a set of high quality Agfachrome slides taken by Olivia James. Mrs James, a semi-professional photographer, took the photographs on visits to Skye between 1968 and 1989, using a Pentax S1A camera and CT 18 film. They record a variety of locations, people and activities which have now changed or indeed disappeared, and provide one person's view of the island through the camera lens. Born in Elderslie, Renfrewshire on 26th April 1932, Olive Grace James (née Purcell) moved to England in 1944, trained as a teacher and married Richard James in 1956. Her husband's forbears were from Skye and they began visiting on a regular basis in 1968. In addition to the slides, Mrs James has written an evocative account of her memories of places, events and people on Skye which she named 'Skye Magic', a copy of which is held at the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre. 'Skye Magic' has been incorporated into her privately printed autobiography 'Neivie, Neivie, Nick, Nack' which she has kindly donated to various institutions including the Clan Donald Library on Skye, the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and the Weaver's Cottage, Kilbarchan. This image may be available to purchase. For further information about purchasing and prices please email Skye and Lochalsh Archives PLACENAME: Duntulm DISTRICT: Skye OLD COUNTY/PARISH: INVERNESS: Kilmuir CREATOR (AV): Olivia James PERIOD: 1970s SOURCE: Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre COLLECTION: Olivia James Collection Asset ID: 39474 KEYWORDS: