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All the United Kingdom Scotland Isle of Skye Caisteal Maol
AO Edited

Caisteal Maol

This ruined castle is said to be the legendary keep of a Viking princess.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

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Carl Johengen
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Caisteal Maol   Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net) / CC BY-SA 4.0
Caisteal Maol, as seen from the trailhead   carljohengen / Atlas Obscura User
A view along the part of the trail that is inaccessible at high tide   carljohengen / Atlas Obscura User
Caisteal Maol, with the abandoned fishing vessel, the Johan, in the foreground   carljohengen / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful handmade tiles that mark the trailhead   carljohengen / Atlas Obscura User
The view back toward the village of Kyleakin, and the Skye Bridge beyond   carljohengen / Atlas Obscura User
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Abandoned castles come in all shapes, sizes, and states of disrepair, but few could argue that poor Caisteal Maol (Scots Gaelic for the "bare castle") is one of Scotland's most decrepit examples. Protruding from atop a promontory like a pair of fangs, the castle ruins brood over Kyleakin Harbor on the Isle of Skye. The remaining fragments of the castle's walls continue to decay from harsh weather. 

The ruins of Caisteal Maol probably date to the late 15th century, though Vikings may have built an even older structure on the site in the 9th century. The 15th-century castle was essentially a squarish three-story keep built to control the strait of Kyleakin between the Scottish mainland and the Isle of Skye. Ship captains far preferred passing through the strait to avoid the treacherous waters of The Minch, the sea between the western coast of Skye and the Outer Hebrides.

According to one legend, a 10th-century Norse princess known as Saucy Mary and her family controlled the keep. When Mary married Findanus, the 4th chief of Clan Mackinnon, the property was part of her dowry and the castle subsequently came under the control of the clan. Legend says, the newlyweds stretched a chain across the strait and levied a toll on ships and cargo. 

Later history supports this Norse connection. Haakon IV Haakonsson, King of Norway, is believed to have gathered his fleet of longships in the strait before the Battle of Largs in 1263. The town of Kyleakin would eventually take its name from him: kyle, or "strait," of Haakon. Even today, Caisteal Maol is known by some as Dun Haakon or Dunakin Castle (literally "fort of Haakon").

Clan Mackinnon controlled the castle throughout the Middle Ages. Sometime during King James IV of Scotland's reign between 1488 and 1513, the clan rebuilt the keep. 

Caisteal Maol was likely abandoned in the early 17th century. The centuries-old building was likely too drafty and uncomfortable to serve as a residence. 

A short hike to the site at low tide affords an opportunity to see all that remains up close. Seriously compromised by storm-related deterioration in 1949, 1989, and most recently in a lightning storm in 2018, what little is left has been consolidated and stabilized for safety. On a clear day, visitors can see the harbor and the village of Kyleakin, the Skye Bridge, and the Scottish mainland from the castle ruins.

Related Tags

Legends Medieval Ships Vikings Ruins Castles

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Whether you are taking the Skye Bridge on or off the island, it is worth the very short detour into the charming village of Kyleakin. To reach the castle, take the South Obbe Road across a narrow land bridge, and follow it till it dead-ends at a tiny parking area with room for just a couple of cars. The trail to the ruin is marked by a new signpost that displays a map of the hike and how to reach the ruin at low tide.

Be sure to look down and notice the ceramic tile embedded at the start of the trail, bearing an image of what the castle may have looked like back in the day. The trail got a long-overdue facelift back in 2021; in addition to new interpretive signs, greenery was cut back and new gravel was brought in.

As you make your way around the inlet toward the castle, you'll pass by the Johan, a wreck of a fishing boat. Beware the tides and take care: The path will lead you onto stones that will be slippery.

Once you reach the base of the hill beneath the castle, footpaths lead up to the ruins. There's even a handy bench facing back toward town, a perfect place to catch your breath and take some more photos of the lovely scenery.

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Community Contributors

Added By

carljohengen

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

November 29, 2023

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Sources
  • https://www.britainexpress.com/scotland/Skye/castle-moil-kyleakin.htm
  • https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/187941/1/187941.pdf
  • https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Pf39BQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT10&dq=Caisteal+Maol&ots=xwrUF7FPf9&sig=DGgAcmCENAwQO-9yJqzY5IZZWVA#v=onepage&q=Caisteal%20Maol&f=false
  • "The Mediaeval Castles of Skye and Lochalsh", book by David L Roberts and Roger Miket
Caisteal Maol
Kyleakin
Isle of Skye, Scotland, IV41 8PN
United Kingdom
57.272677, -5.720316
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Nearby Places

MV Glenachulish, Glenelg Skye Ferry

Isle of Skye, Scotland

miles away

Glenelg Welcome Sign

Glenelg, Scotland

miles away

Eilean Donan

Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

Scotland

Places 14

Nearby Places

MV Glenachulish, Glenelg Skye Ferry

Isle of Skye, Scotland

miles away

Glenelg Welcome Sign

Glenelg, Scotland

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Eilean Donan

Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

Scotland

Places 14

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