Castle Stuart: A Tower House in Scotland
Site at a Glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Primary era
- Early Modern
- Eras represented
- Early Modern
- Civilizations
- Kingdom of Scotland
- Site type
- Domestic
- Remains
- Castle
History
Castle Stuart is a tower house in Petty, Highland, United Kingdom, built between 1619 and 1625. Its history began with a land grant in 1561, after Mary, Queen of Scots, a Stuart monarch who ruled Scotland from 1542 to 1567, returned to the country. She granted James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, the land on which the castle would later be built.
Construction took place after the murders of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, and his son-in-law James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray. The 1st Earl’s grandson, James Stewart, 3rd Earl of Moray, completed the castle. The numbered titles distinguish successive holders of the earldom.
The castle prospered at first, then fell out of use as the fortunes of the House of Stuart, the royal dynasty that included Mary and Charles I, declined during the English Civil War and after Charles I’s execution in 1649. The Civil War was a series of conflicts in England between supporters of Charles I and those opposed to his rule. Castle Stuart stood derelict for about 300 years before restoration. It is now used as a luxury hotel.
Since 1971, Castle Stuart has held Category A listed-building status, Scotland’s highest category for buildings of national or international importance.
Remains
Castle Stuart is a restored tower house, a fortified residence built in the form of a tower. It stands on the shore of the Moray Firth, about 10 km northeast of Inverness.
