Caisteal Maol, Medieval tower house in Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Caisteal Maol is a medieval tower house standing on a rocky promontory in Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye. The rectangular structure measures roughly 46 feet by 34 feet (14 by 10 meters), with surviving walls rising between 35 and 40 feet (11 to 12 meters) above the rocky base.
The tower was built around 1500 and served as a stronghold for the MacKinnon clan to control the strait and monitor shipping. The location allowed them to maintain power over this strategically important waterway between the island and the mainland.
The castle's thick stone walls and sturdy design reflect how 15th-century Scottish builders adapted to this rocky coastal location. It remains a landmark that shapes how visitors experience the narrow strait between Skye and the mainland.
The tower sits directly on a rocky outcrop above water level and requires careful footing when exploring the site. The ground around it is uneven and exposed to strong coastal winds and weather.
Preserved pieces of Scots Pine timber from the building period around 1500 remain stored in local museum collections. These fragments provide physical proof of how builders sourced materials from the surrounding landscape.
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