Introduction

This evening, I am focusing on a ruined castle on Skye, Scotland, namely Castle Moil (or Caisteal Maol in Gaelic).

Viking connection

This castle is strategically located at Kyleakin to control the waterway between Isle of Skye and the mainland.

Around the 9th-13th centuries the site may have been important to the the Norwegian Vikings who controlled the region. It is believed that in the nearby waterway (or Kyle)  King Haakon IV of Norway assembled his fleet prior to the Battle of Largs in 1263. The castle was historically known as Dun Acainn which roughly translates as ‘Haakon’s Fort’. This naming confirms the viking connection.

Kyleakin is a small village at the eastern end of the Isle of Skye, opposite to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Kyle of Lochalsh is located at the entrance to Loch Alsh, a sea loch. This village benefits from a railway station and a choice of accommodations.

Clan Mackinnon connection

The current structure represent the ruins of a three storied, rectangular keep which was originally the fortress of Clan Mackinnon. This fortification was operational between the 15th and 17th centuries after which it deteriorated into its current ruined state.

Current state of the castle

The remaining castle walls have been secured to prevent further deterioration but the site is unsafe to visit. In February 2018 the poor condition was exacerbated by damage caused by a lightning strike.

More information

Information on castles, Isle of Skye and battles can be found in Visitors’ Guide to Scotland. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4 and the book is also available via Kindle.