Visiting Urquhart Castle

A rich and turbulent history

Urquhart Castle has a long and dramatic history, dating back to the 13th century. It played a role during the Wars of Scottish Independence, frequently changing hands between the Scots and the English. It later became a stronghold for Clan Grant, but there were more attacks and sieges to come. Urquhart Castle was eventually ruined in 1692, when it was deliberately destroyed to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Jacobites. It wasn’t until 1913 that it was placed in state care, and later opened to the public as a visitor attraction. A new visitor centre opened in 2002, with displays and exhibits that bring the castle’s remarkable history to life.