Lonely Ardvreck Castle by Loch Assent in Sutherland, in the North west corner of Scotland UK.
The castle acquired its place in history in 1650 when James Graham, Marquis of Montrose was briefly imprisoned there. He had been a key Royalist commander - most notably with his successful 1644/5 campaign where he had effectively mobilised Highland forces and won a number of impressive victories. Starting with few supplies, he nevertheless achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Tippermuir (1 September 1644) and went on to assault Aberdeen later the same month. In February 1645 he humiliated Archibald Campbell, Marquis of Argyll at the Second Battle of Inverlochy with an impressive advance over the foothills of Ben Nevis. He defeated further Covenanter forces at the battles of Auldearn (May 1645) and Alford (July 1645) but his crowning achievement was the Battle of Kilsyth, fought on 15 August 1645, where he briefly became master of Scotland and summoned a Parliament in Glasgow. His victories came to an end on 13 September 1645 when he was routed at Philiphaugh. He fled into exile in Norway but, following the execution of Charles I, was persuaded to return in June 1649 in support of Charles II. However, this time he was unsuccessful and was defeated at the Battle of Carbisdale on 25 April 1650. He fled the field and sought shelter at Ardvreck Castle. The then owner, Neil Macleod, was absent but his wife welcomed the Royalist commander into the fortification, tricked him into entering a dungeon and handed him over to the Covenanter forces. This highly respected Royalist was then taken to Edinburgh where, on 21 May 1650, he was hung and quartered to the delight of his rival Archibald Campbell. His remains were placed on public display until the Reformation when Charles II had his mutilated body interred in St Giles' Cathedral (whilst Campbell was executed).
Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: off the A837 road to Lochinver, Sutherland Scotland. UK.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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