55-573: Rothesay Castle is a ruined castle in Rothesay , the principal town on the Isle of Bute , in western Scotland . Located at NS086646 , the castle has been described as "one of the most remarkable in Scotland", for its long history dating back to the beginning of the 13th century, and its unusual circular plan. The castle comprises a huge curtain wall , strengthened by four round towers, together with
110-720: A maritime climate , with cool summers and mild winters . Because of its island location, the risk of severe frost is mitigated by the surrounding waters. Temperatures can range from as high as 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) (recorded in August 1975), to as low as −8.4 °C (16.9 °F) (recorded in January 1982). Lord of the Isles Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( Scottish Gaelic : Triath nan Eilean or Rìgh Innse Gall ; Latin : Dominus Insularum )
165-497: A seaside resort . Rothesay was the county town in the civil parish of Rothesay, which was located in the former county of Bute . The county historically included the islands of Great Cumbrae , Little Cumbrae and Arran . Rothesay Town Hall and County Buildings overlooks the castle. During the Victorian era , Rothesay became a popular tourist destination. In particular, it was hugely popular with Glaswegians going "doon
220-638: A 16th-century forework , the whole surrounded by a broad moat . Built by the Stewart family , it survived Norse attacks to become a royal residence. Though falling into ruin after the 17th century, the castle was repaired by the Marquess of Bute before passing into state care in the 20th century. A paddle steamer named after the castle was constructed in 1816. The castle was built either by Alan fitz Walter, Steward of Scotland (died 1204), or by his succeeding son Walter (died 1246). During Alan's tenure,
275-485: A demarcation of their respective areas of authority. Magnus was confirmed in control of the Isles and Edgar of the mainland. Lavery cites a tale from the Orkneyinga saga , according to which King Malcolm III of Scotland offered Earl Magnus of Orkney all the islands off the west coast navigable with the rudder set. Magnus then allegedly had a skiff hauled across the neck of land at Tarbert , Loch Fyne with himself at
330-399: A drawbridge. The lower floor comprised a vaulted entrance tunnel running into the older castle courtyard. Above, the four-storey tower contained royal lodgings, and still bears the royal coat of arms above the door. Also in the early 16th century, a chapel was constructed inside the old castle. Simple in form, the chapel measured around 7 m (23 ft) by 14 m (45 ft), and is now
385-503: A few miles to the south of Rothesay Castle. Rothesay was granted a multimillion-pound harbour development project just in time for the arrival of the next generation of lower-firth ferries MV Argyle and MV Bute . In August 2018, the Donald Campbell Bluebird hydroplane held trials on Loch Fad . It was the first time the vehicle had been in the water since it was recovered from Coniston Water in
440-586: Is Old Norse for “summer warrior” or “summer traveler” in the sense of a Viking). Somerled took the title Lord of Argyll, Kintyre and Lorne and eventually Rí Innse Gall (King of the Hebrides) as well as King of Mann . His origins went back to the Norse Kings of Dublin and the great Ard-Ríthe (singular: Ard-Rí), the High Kings of Ireland. They also speak of Colla Uais, a Celtic prince with influence in
495-733: Is a title of nobility in the Baronage of Scotland with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland . It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title was held by a series of his descendants, the Norse-Gaelic rulers of the Isle of Man and Argyll and the islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages . They wielded sea-power with fleets of galleys ( birlinns ). Although they were, at times, nominal vassals of
550-627: Is also a multiple-time winner of the Balliemore Cup . The town has an amateur football club, Rothesay Brandane A.F.C. (nicknamed " The Danes ". ) It was founded in 1946. They played in the Scottish Amateur Football League starting in 1947, reached the semi-final of the Scottish Amateur Cup in 1948–49, and won the league in both the 1963–64 and 2000–01 seasons. In 2004, they transferred into
605-444: The 2nd Marquess of Bute employed 70 men to excavate the ruins, clearing large amounts of rubbish from the castle in 1816–17. But it was not until the 1871 that work resumed and the ruins were stabilised. The 3rd Marquess , a keen restorer of historic buildings, embarked upon a series of repairs and restorations, following surveys and advice from his regular architect William Burges . His "restorations" continued until 1900, and include
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#1732786706708660-546: The British throne (currently William, Prince of Wales ) is known in Scotland as the Duke of Rothesay . This practice was begun in the late 14th century by Robert III of Scotland , who regularly resided at Rothesay Castle, and first granted the title to his son David in 1398. At that time, the name Rothesay referred to the whole island of Bute, rather than to the town (which was known as Bute-town). The island of Bute (along with
715-757: The Caledonian Amateur Football League Division 2, and, having won promotion after the 2007–08 season, they currently play in Division 1. They also had a youth team for ages 15 and under, called the Rothesay Brandane Rovers. (In the 19th century, the town had a different football club called the Bute Rangers F.C. , which competed for the Scottish Cup .) The Bute County Cricket Club plays in
770-612: The Hebrides as well as Man , and the Shetland and Orkney Islands . The following year, the people of the Isles, both Gael and Norse, rebelled. Harald sent his cousin Ketill Flatnose to regain control, and Ketil then became King of the Isles . Scotland and Norway would continue to dispute overlordship of the area, with the jarls of Orkney at times seeing themselves as independent rulers. In 973, Maccus mac Arailt , King of
825-548: The High School of Glasgow rugby camp every summer. For bowling enthusiasts, Bute boasts four greens: Ardbeg, Craigmore, Kingarth and Rothesay. The oldest of them, the Rothesay Bowling Club, was established in the 1860s. The Bute Bowling Association runs many local club competitions. It also runs an open tournament each August, in which both ladies and gentlemen may compete; as of 2014, that tournament
880-821: The Lake District after the 1967 accident in which Campbell was killed. Rothesay has hosted the National Mòd twice: in 1908 and 1952. The most successful sporting club on the island is the Bute Shinty Club , which has competed at the highest level of the sport (the Marine Harvest Premier League ). The Bute club was promoted to the Premier League in 2006 by winning the South Division One competition. It
935-672: The MacDonald Lords came in 1493 when John MacDonald II had his ancestral homeland, estates, and titles seized by King James IV of Scotland . After that time, the MacDonald Clan contested the right of James IV to the Lordship of the Isles and uprisings and rebellions against the Scottish monarch were common. More recently, the Lordship of the Isles has been held by the Duke of Rothesay , the eldest son and heir apparent of
990-520: The Western District Cricket Union Championship . The island has three golf courses : the 18-hole Rothesay Golf Club is on the outskirts of the town; the 9-hole Bute Golf Course is near the sands of Stravannan Bay on the west coast of the island; and the rather unusual 13-hole Port Bannatyne Golf Club sits on the hills behind the town. There are also two putting greens on the town's seafront. The town hosts
1045-499: The kings of Norway , Ireland , or Scotland , the island chiefs remained functionally independent for many centuries. Their territory included much of Argyll , the Isles of Arran, Bute, Islay, the Isle of Man , Hebrides ( Skye and Ross from 1438), Knoydart , Ardnamurchan , and the Kintyre peninsula. At their height they were the greatest landowners and most powerful lords after the kings of England and Scotland. The end of
1100-518: The 15th century. Then in 1462, John MacDonald II Lord of the Isles signed a treaty with Edward IV of England to conquer Scotland with him and the Earl of Douglas. The treaty between Edward IV and John II has been used to show how the MacDonald Lords were viewed as independent rulers of their kingdom, freely entering into national and military treaties with foreign governments. Unfortunately for
1155-634: The 4th century or earlier, whose language eventually predominated. In the 8th and 9th centuries this area, like others, suffered raids and invasions by Vikings from Norway , and the islands became known to the Gaels as Innse-Gall , the Islands of the Foreigners. Around 875, Norwegian jarls, or princes, came to these islands to avoid losing their independence in the course of King Harald Fairhair 's unification of Norway , but Harald pursued them and conquered
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#17327867067081210-552: The Isles", essentially merging the crowns of Dal Riada with the Pictish East of Scotland. The office itself has been extinct since the 15th century and the style since then has no other meaning but to recall the Scottish seizure of the ancient Norse-Gaelic lordship and crown. Currently William, Prince of Wales is titular Lord of the Isles, as well as Duke of Rothesay , Earl of Carrick , Baron of Renfrew and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland . His wife Catherine likewise has
1265-548: The Isles, Kenneth III , King of the Scots, and Máel Coluim I of Strathclyde formed a defensive alliance, but subsequently the Scandinavians defeated Gilla Adomnáin of the Isles and expelled him to Ireland. The Norse nobleman Godred Crovan became ruler of Man and the Isles, but he was deposed in 1095 by the new King of Norway, Magnus Bareleg . In 1098, Magnus entered into a treaty with King Edgar of Scotland , intended as
1320-633: The King of Scots, a title which, since the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain , is usually borne by the Prince of Wales . Thus Prince William is the current Lord of the Isles. Finlaggan on Islay was the seat of the Lords of the Isles under Somerled and Clan Donald . The arms adopted by the Lord of the Isles varied over time, but the blazon given and illustrated in "The Armorial of Sir David Lyndsay of
1375-618: The MacDonald sovereigns, the civil war in England, known as the Wars of the Roses , prevented the completion of the alliance between Edward IV and John II. Upon the discovery of his alliance with Edward IV in 1493, John II had his ancestral lands, estates, and titles taken from him by James IV of Scotland . In addition to James IV seeking revenge on John II, he possessed a larger military force and
1430-526: The Mount" (1542) is: Or, an eagle Gules displayed beaked and membered Sable, surmounted by a galley also Sable . The red eagle first appeared on the arms with Donald Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, sometimes called Donald of Harlaw, for the battle he won in 1411. The west coast and islands of present-day Scotland were inhabited by a people or peoples of uncertain cultural affiliation until the 5th century. They were invaded by Gaels from Ireland starting perhaps in
1485-521: The Scots. Following the accession of the Stewarts to the throne of Scotland in 1371, the castle became a favourite residence of kings Robert II and Robert III , who died here in 1406. Robert II granted the hereditary keepership of the castle to his son John, ancestor of the Earls and Marquesses of Bute . Robert III made his eldest son David Duke of Rothesay in 1401, beginning a tradition of honouring
1540-586: The Viking longships and knarrs , clinker-built, though each had a square sail and rows of oars. "...literary evidence suggest[s] that the navies of the Dalriadic Scots and Irish were not insignificant". In the mid 12th century, Somerled, the first Lord of the Isles, developed the stern rudder that gave the galleys and longships sailed by the Islesmen greater maneuverability over the steering oar used by
1595-469: The Vikings. These ships took part in sea battles and attacked castles or hill forts almost always located close to the sea. The Lordship specified the feudal dues of its subjects in terms of numbers and sizes of the galleys (birlinns) each area had to provide in service to their Lord. The Lord was advised (at least on an occasional basis) by a Council. Dean Monro of the Isles, who wrote a description of
1650-559: The Western Isles before the establishment of the kingdom of Dalriada. After Somerled's death in 1164, three of his sons, and his brother-in-law (the King of Man), divided his realm between them: Angus was killed with his three sons in 1210, possibly by Ranald's sons, Ruaidhrí and Domhnall, as a result of Angus having defeated Ranald in 1192. Although Ruaidhrí originally seems to have held power in Kintyre, his later descendants held
1705-467: The Western Isles in 1549, described the membership as consisting of four ranks: In practice, membership and attendance must have varied with the times and the occasion. A commission granted in July 1545 by Domhnall Dubh , claimant to the Lordship, identified the following members: Successive Lords of the Isles fiercely asserted their independence from Scotland, acting as kings of their territories well into
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1760-526: The addition of four round towers, of which only the north-west survives intact. These three-storey towers had strong splayed bases, with arrow slits below the crenellated parapet. A portcullis was added to the main gate. During the Wars of Scottish Independence , Rothesay was held by the English, but was taken by Robert the Bruce in 1311. It then returned to English hands in 1334, before being taken again by
1815-479: The centre of the town is the 13th-century ruin Rothesay Castle , unique in Scotland for its circular plan. In modern Scottish Gaelic , Rothesay is known as Baile Bhòid , meaning 'town of Bute'. The English-language name, which was written as Rothersay in 1321, Rosay around 1400, and Rothissaye around 1500, originally referred to the castle. Since the castle was surrounded by a moat connected to
1870-409: The clearing and shaping of the moat, as well as the red sandstone additions to the forework, which reinstated the hall roof while significantly altering the character of the building. In 1961 Rothesay Castle was given to the state, and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument , in the care of Historic Environment Scotland . The castle is open to visitors year round. Fine views can be seen from the top of
1925-691: The eastern wall by hewing the stone with their axes. This saga is the earliest recorded account of an assault on a Scottish castle. In 1263, Rothesay was taken again by the Norwegian forces under Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway (died 1263) before the Battle of Largs . Although the Battle of Largs is called indecisive, Hákon's campaign was a failure, the Norse retreated, and it effectively ended Norwegian authority in western Scotland. The early castle comprised only
1980-466: The family added the Isle of Bute to their lordship. A wooden castle was constructed first, but the stone circular curtain wall was in place by the 1230s, when the castle was attacked and taken by the Norwegian-backed fleet of Óspakr-Hákon, King of the Isles (died 1230). According to Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar , Óspakr's forces fought for three days to take the castle, breaking down part of
2035-434: The heir to the throne of Scotland with this title. In 1462 the castle survived a siege by the forces of John of Islay , Earl of Ross and the last Lord of the Isles . In the early 16th century Rothesay Castle was strengthened again. Construction of a gatehouse keep, extending from the north of the curtain wall, began around the turn of the century, to provide more modern accommodation for James IV . The curtain wall itself
2090-694: The helm, thus including the Kintyre peninsula in the Isles' sphere of influence. (The date given falls after the end of Malcolm's reign in 1093.) Somerled , Gilledomman's grandson, seized the Isles (i.e. everything except the Isle of Man and Skye) beginning in 1135 (he gained the Isle of Man in 1156) and founded a dynasty that in time became the Lords of the Isles . It is thought he had Celtic/Gaelic blood on his father's side and Norse on his mother's: his contemporaries knew him as Somerled MacGillebride , Somhairle or in Norse Sumarlidi Höld (Sumarliðr
2145-559: The island of Arran ) was under the control of Robert III because he had inherited it from his Stewart ancestors. They had owned it ever since King Alexander III of Scotland (having received it from Norway under the Treaty of Perth of 1266) assigned it to Robert III's great-grandfather, Alexander Stewart . The two islands were privately owned by the Stewart family until Robert II (Alexander Stewart's grandson and Robert III's father) inherited
2200-516: The island's largest beaches (the tramway closed in the mid-1930s). A war memorial designed by Pilkington Jackson was erected in 1922. The Winter Gardens building, erected in 1923, was a centre of many activities in Rothesay in the mid-20th century, hosting some of the best-known music hall entertainers of the day. Rothesay Pavilion, opened in 1938, was another popular attraction. It was an example of International Modernist style architecture, and
2255-485: The lordship in the Hebrides and the lands that came to be known as Garmoran. It is possible that these territories were gained after Angus’ death, and the annihilation of his line. In their maritime domain the Lords of the Isles used galleys ( birlinns ) for both warfare and transport. Though they undoubtedly acquired longships from the Norse they defeated, the ships of the Dalriadic Scots and Irish and Islesmen predate
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2310-527: The only surviving structure within the curtain wall. The north-west tower was converted into a doocot , and is known as the "Pigeon Tower", due to the nest boxes built into the outside wall. Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox , a favourite of James VI was compelled by the Ruthven Regime to leave Scotland. He went first to Dumbarton Castle , then stayed at Rothesay Castle in October 1582. Rothesay
2365-477: The roughly circular curtain wall, 2.7 m (9 ft) thick, 7.9 m (26 ft) high and around 42 m (138 ft) in diameter, built on a low mound, with a battlement on top accessed by open stairs. The moat was connected to the sea, the shoreline then being closer to the north-east of the Castle than it is today. The broad crenellations can be made out within the walls, which were later raised. Holes in
2420-520: The sea, the name may have originally meant 'Rother's Isle' (the Old Norse suffix -ey means "isle"), or it may be an alteration of the Gaelic word rath , meaning 'fort'. The old town centred on Rothesay Castle, which was built in the 13th century. The castle has long stood in ruins, but it is nevertheless picturesque, and was a focal point for tourists as soon the town began developing into
2475-611: The throne from his mother , after which the islands became the property of the Crown. Once Robert III had conferred this title on his son, the title continued to be given to every heir of the Scottish throne thereafter. Following the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the heir to the British throne was always also formally considered “heir to the Scottish throne” and so acquired the title. Unlike
2530-434: The title's English equivalent ( Duke of Cornwall ), the title Duke of Rothesay does not come with any land attached to it in the form of a Duchy . That is because control of the land was instead given to Robert III's half-brother and to the latter's descendants, who acquired the title Marquess of Bute in the 18th century. The current marquess remains the main landlord of the island; his principal seat, Mount Stuart , lies
2585-413: The upper wall would have supported a timber bretasche, a projecting structure serving as an extended battlement. This curtain wall was built of coursed ashlar, and had only two openings in its length. The main gate was an arched opening with a simple timber door. The second opening was a small postern gate in the west wall, later blocked. In the later part of the 13th century, the castle was strengthened by
2640-508: The walls over the town and back towards the mainland. Rothesay Rothesay ( / ˈ r ɒ θ s i / ROTH -see ; Scottish Gaelic : Baile Bhòid [ˈpalə ˈvɔːtʲ] ) is the principal town on the Isle of Bute , in the council area of Argyll and Bute , Scotland . It lies along the coast of the Firth of Clyde . It can be reached by ferry from Wemyss Bay , which offers an onward rail link to Glasgow . At
2695-535: The war. In 1941 and 1942, the Officer Concentration Station Rothesay was also located here. By the 1960s, Rothesay's heyday as a tourist mecca had largely ended. Inexpensive foreign package holidays had become more popular with UK residents. The Winter Gardens building was closed and lay in disuse for decades. However, it was redeveloped in the 1990s, and is now open as a tourist information and exhibition centre. The heir to
2750-403: The watter" (literally “down the water” – a reference to the waters of the Firth of Clyde ). Its wooden pier was busy with steamer traffic. It was home to one of Scotland's many hydropathic establishments , which were in vogue at the time. It also had an electric tramway , the Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway , which ran across the whole island of Bute and carried passengers to one of
2805-490: Was able to impose his will on the West Coast of Scotland, though uprisings and rebellions were common. Though the Lordship was taken away from the MacDonald family in the 15th century, waves of successive MacDonald leaders have contested this and fought for its revival ever since, notably during Dubh's Rebellion . Since then, the eldest male child of the reigning Scottish (and later, British) monarch has been styled "Lord of
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#17327867067082860-474: Was designed by the Ayr architect, James Andrew Carrick . Although it later fell into disrepair, it remains a major landmark on the seafront today, and is currently undergoing a complete restoration. During World War II, Rothesay Bay was the home port of HMS Cyclops , which was the depot ship for the 7th Submarine Flotilla and the training facility for virtually all the British submariners who served during
2915-415: Was garrisoned for the occupying forces of Oliver Cromwell , who invaded Scotland with his New Model Army in the early 1650s. On their departure in 1660, the troops partially dismantled the structure. What was left was burned by the supporters of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll during his rising of 1685, in support of the Monmouth Rebellion against James VII . Following a long period of neglect,
2970-432: Was in its 57th year. Rothesay currently has three primary schools : St Andrews Primary School, Rothesay Primary School, and North Bute Primary School. It has one secondary school , Rothesay Academy . In 2007, a Rothesay Primary and Rothesay Academy formed a joint campus school, and the building that previously housed Rothesay Academy was closed. Like the rest of Scotland — and the British Isles in general - Rothesay has
3025-406: Was raised up to ten metres in height, the works continuing into the reign of James V . In 1527 the castle withstood another siege by the Master of Ruthven , which destroyed much of the burgh of Rothesay. In 1544, the castle fell to the Earl of Lennox , acting for the English during the so-called " Rough Wooing ". The forework is an L-plan structure, which jutted into the moat and was accessed by
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