Castles Of Scotland Vol Two
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Episode Three
Castle Levan, overlooking the banks of the Clyde, was built around 1430. The Pearson family live here. At first sight it appears to be a romantic 16th century town house but the present structure started as a massive 14th century tower that was later extended in the 15th century. What was once a dismal ruin without a water supply has been turned into a beautiful family home of immense historical significance dominating an enviable setting with panoramic view over the Firth of Clyde, Dunoon, Holy Loch, Loch Long, Ben Lomond and the Trossach mountain range. Its master bedroom occupies almost all of the second floor and dominating the first floor is the Great Hall - the hub of family life as it was 500 years ago. Visually appealing and immediately striking, the comfortable living accommodation is complemented by the hallmarks of a 14th century castle, including turnpike staircases, parapet walkways, turret, crow step gable and gun loops.
Glamis Castle in Angus, made famous by Shakespeare's Macbeth, has been the family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372 when Sir John Lyon was granted the thaneage of Glamis by King Robert II. In 1376 Sir John married the King's daughter, Princess Joanna. Since then Glamis has been visited and lived in by many members of the Scottish and British royal families and it was the childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Daniel Dafoe, writing in the 18th century, likened the castle to a city with its numerous turrets and James VIII, who stayed here in 1816 declared that Glamis was the finest building he had ever seen. In the beautiful Dutch garden, laid out in the 1890s, a lead statue of James VI keeps a watchful eye along with his son Charles I. Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods is the centrepiece of the garden. An ornate overmantel is the focus of the dining room with the 12th Earl's arms, and the rose of England and thistle of Scotland adorn its ceiling. The crypt is one of the oldest parts of the castle and legend has it that there is a secret room in which Lord Glamis played cards with the devil himself.
Episode Four
Near Inverness, Fort George is the most considerable fortress in Britain. Built by George II after the Jacobite uprising in 1745, it is the ultimate defence and cost more than £200k - double the estimate - and over £1bn in today's prices. Its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with cannon and superb collection of arms - including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches - provide a fascinating insight into 18th century military life. To this day, it is still used by the army for drills.
All the building materials were brought in by sea and the bricks made on site to create a small town for 2000 inhabitants. 1757 marks the date of completion for the officer's quarters. Despite its orderly appearance, the officers lived in Spartan conditions; they slept two to a bed, eight in each room and only 1 in 100 allowed to marry with their wife living with only a blanket for privacy. Away from the barracks is the grand magazine where the gunpowder was kept. It could hold over 2,500 barrels of powder. The fort's firepower is so powerful it could fire a bomb almost two and a half kilometres. Yet no shot was ever fired in anger - the Jacobite threat was over before the fort was completed. Standing guard over the Solway Firth like a silent sentry, Caerlaverock Castle is an impressive landmark in the Nithsdale countryside.
With its moat, two-towered gatehouse, and imposing battlements, it is the epitome of the medieval stronghold and everyone's idea of what a real castle should look like. Built on a triangular site, it stands like a shield with a tower at each of its three sides. Good walls and good ditches filled up to the brim with water make it an almost impregnable fortress.
During the 16th century Caerlaverock featured in Anglo-Saxon conflict and the final siege at Caerlaverock came when the Royalists surrendered to the Covenanters. The castle fell into ruins but it still remains one of Scotland's finest.
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