Brochel Castle

A prominent ruin in the northeast of the island of Raasay in the Inner Hebrides, Brochel Castle stands on a rocky knoll overlooking the bay below, 6½ miles (10.5 km) north northeast of Clachan. Dating from the early 16th century, although the details of its origin are unclear, this was once the stronghold of the MacLeods of Raasay. It comprised a small courtyard castle, with a curtain wall and four corner towers of differing heights, emerging impressively from the natural rock. The towers contained the accommodation, kitchens and perhaps a hall. The castle was abandoned in the 1670s and, although it seems to have still been substantially complete in the early 19th century, much of the masonry has now collapsed and remains in a dangerous condition.

It was visited by Martin Martin (1660 - 1718) in the late 17th century, by James Boswell (1740 - 1795) and Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-84) in 1773, and then sketched by the English artist William Daniell (1769 - 1837), the resulting aquatint titled 'Castle Broichin on the Isle of Rasay' is held by the Tate Gallery in London.


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