Stock Photography: Castles
*Page under construction*
Scotland D-F
I have amassed a large collection of Stock Photography images which previously could be accessed via a link to Photographers Direct.com. This was a well-established website with well over one million images on record, supplied by thousands of photographers worldwide. However, in early 2019 the site folded without warning or explanation, I suspect as the result of a downturn in the Stock Photography market.
As an alternative means of displaying my stock images, I am in the early stages of creating a series of thumbnail gallery pages featuring shots previously held by PD in addition to those included in the main posts. Due to the large number of JPEG files I have not attempted to re-keyword individual files as before but have grouped them under general headings so that they can be accessed via a general search. Larger categories will be sub-divided and some subjects may be duplicated on one or more pages.
As an alternative means of displaying my stock images, I am in the early stages of creating a series of thumbnail gallery pages featuring shots previously held by PD in addition to those included in the main posts. Due to the large number of JPEG files I have not attempted to re-keyword individual files as before but have grouped them under general headings so that they can be accessed via a general search. Larger categories will be sub-divided and some subjects may be duplicated on one or more pages.
As I`ve a large collection of Scottish castle images, I`ve listed them alphabetically over several pages. Strongholds such as Castle Campbell and Castle Semple can be found under their second name, rather than the letter C due to the volume of castles so named.
Please note that all my images are subject to copyright. They are not free to use and have been embedded with a digital watermark. Also bear in mind that
the thumbnails displayed are relatively low-quality and do not fully reflect the standard of images produced from the high-resolution files supplied to clients.
the thumbnails displayed are relatively low-quality and do not fully reflect the standard of images produced from the high-resolution files supplied to clients.
Dirleton Castle
Doune Castle
Doune Castle lies south-east of the Perthshire village of Doune in a picturesque setting between the River Teith and the Ardoch Burn. Although the present structure was built in the late 14th century for Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany and Regent of Scotland it is thought to stand on the site of an earlier, 13th century stronghold.
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This earlier castle was likely destroyed during the Wars of Independence. When Robert Stewart died in 1420 the castle was inherited by his son Murdoch, but he was executed by James I in 1425 and thereafter it became Crown property and was used as a royal hunting lodge. The stronghold also served, in the late 15th century, as a dower house for some of the widowed queens of Scotland, namely the wives of James III, James IV and James V. Mary Queen of Scots also stayed at Doune for a time then, in later years, the castle passed to the Earl of Moray.
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During the Jacobite risings of 1689 and 1715, Doune Castle was garrisoned by government troops, however, it was seized by the Jacobites during the `45 and they imprisoned enemy soldiers there, apparently not very securely as many escaped! By the end of the 19th century Doune Castle was a roofless ruin. The 14th Earl of Moray came to the rescue and carried out initial restoration work. Doune Castle is now under the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is well worth a visit.
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Duffus Castle
Dumbarton Castle
Dunbar Castle
The earliest of Dunbar Castle`s scant ruins date from the 12th century although there has been a stronghold here from at least the 7th century. The remains are now in a dangerous condition and consequently are not open for exploration. Dunbar was once one of the most important castles in Scotland and had to be captured by any invading force or its garrison otherwise neutralised. In 1296, Edward I `the Hammer of the Scots`, crossed the border into Scotland with a powerful army to punish King John Balliol for his refusal to support England in its war against the French. Edward`s first obstacle was the border town of Berwick-on-Tweed which he captured after a siege. To teach the inhabitants a brutal lesson and show the rest of Scotland that resistance was futile, Edward had his troops torch the town and put the population to the sword. Although estimates vary widely some accounts say that upwards of 15,000 men, women and children were slaughtered.
On 3 September 1650, Dunbar was the scene of one of the largest and bloodiest battles in Scottish history. The English Parliamentarian army under the command of Oliver Cromwell succeeded in decisively defeating the larger Scottish Royalist army led by General David Leslie. Most of the action took place outside the town, again in the vicinity of the Spott Burn and adjacent Doon Hill. Cromwell`s victory left southern Scotland open and by December 1650, he had marched unopposed to Edinburgh and captured the city. A large amount of stone from the castle ruins was plundered in the 19th century to build the current harbour.
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Dunderave Castle
Dunderave Castle sits near the head of Loch Fyne, on its northern shore, approximately 6 km east of Inveraray. It is almost totally screened by trees and easily missed by travellers on the A83 Arrochar to Lochgilphead road. The stronghold dates from the 16th century and was occupied by the MacNaughtons and later the Campbell Clan but by the early 19th century the castle lay abandoned and roofless. In 1911, however, the well-known Edinburgh born architect Sir Robert Lorimer, noted for his restoration work on historic buildings, was commissioned to renovate the castle and make it suitable for habitation. Dunderave Castle is still occupied but is not open to the public.
Dundonald Castle
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Dundonald Castle stands in Ayrshire between Kilmarnock and the coastal town of Troon. The surviving structure dates from the 13th century and was built by the Stewart Kings as their royal residence. The rise of the Stewart Dynasty began when Robert II came to the throne and the family went on to rule Scotland, and later Great Britain, for 350 years. He died here in 1390. Earlier strongholds stood on the hilltop prior to this one and it is thought that a fort may have guarded the site as far back as the Stone Age.
The first stone castle was an important stronghold and during the Wars of Independence was attacked by the English and largely destroyed. The surviving remains including the arched entrance and the base of one of the towers have been incorporated in the current structure. Much of the stone from Dundonald Castle was plundered in the 17th century by the Cochranes of Coldoun to extend nearby Auchans Castle which they acquired as a residence from the Wallaces. Dr Johnson and Boswell visited the Dundonald Castle in 1773 during their grand tour.
Dunollie Castle
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HD15062019
Dunscaith Castle
Also known as Dun Scaich, Dun Sgathaich Castle and Tokavaig. On the Isle of Skye.
Dunskey Castle
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Ruinous Dunskey Castle sits on an exposed headland just southeast of Portpatrick and is easily reached via a clifftop footpath from the village. The current structure, which dates from around 1510, stands on the site of an earlier castle which was torched during a local feud. Records show that Dunskey was a ruin by 1684 and like many of Scotland`s bleaker castles is reputedly haunted, in this case by the ghost of a nursemaid who murdered a baby by throwing it from a window onto the rocks below!
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Dunstaffnage Castle
Duntrune Castle
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Duntrune Castle in Argyll, Scotland`s oldest continuously inhabited stronghold. The castle, which dates from the 12th century, was originally built by the MacDougall Clan, along with several other castles in the area, including Dunollie near Oban. Like many Scottish castles, Duntrune changed hands several times over the centuries. In 1792, however, it was sold by the Campbells to the Malcolms of Poltalloch who have occupied it ever since. The castle is now owned by Robin Neill Malcolm, the current clan chief. In recent years, during renovation work, a human skeleton was unearthed whose hands had been removed by clean cuts to the wrist. Even though the skeleton was reburied nearby in a marked grave his ghost continues to haunt the castle to this day. Or so they say! James Bond etc*
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Dunure Castle
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Edinburgh Castle
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See dedicated page (Link to follow)
Eilean Donan Castle
Fairlie Castle
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Fort George
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