Ormond Castle, Medieval fortress on Ormond Hill, Black Isle, Scotland
Ormond Castle is a medieval fortress in ruins on Ormond Hill, Black Isle, Scotland. The site consists of three courts running from northeast to southwest, with preserved foundations of towers and structures spread across the elevated terrain.
King William the Lion built this fortress between 1200 and 1214 as a rectangular structure with square corner towers to command sea passage toward Inverness. The castle later became a focal point during the conflicts between Scotland and England in the early medieval period.
The castle served as a gathering point for Andrew de Moravia and the men of Moray who joined King John Balliol against Edward I of England.
The site sits elevated on Ormond Hill overlooking Moray Firth, so sturdy footwear and attention to the terrain are worthwhile. Exploring the three courts and their foundations requires time to appreciate the layout, especially if overgrown vegetation makes paths less clear.
A stone-lined well sits within the western tower, showing the engineering skill of those who built it. Archaeological work also suggests that Iron Age fortifications once stood beneath these medieval remains.
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