|
|
|
Rait Castle
near Inverness
Rait Castle is located 2.5 miles south of Nairn which is east of
Inverness on the east coast of Scotland.
Over the centuries, the building was owned by several different families. Around 1404 or 1405 Sir Alexander Gervaise de Rait is said to have killed the 4th Thane of
Cawdor whose son was subsequently given the castle. Less than 40 years later it appeared to have reverted to the Mackintoshes who were also previous owners.
|
It is well worth a visit since, although now in ruins, it is generally in good condition and an excellent example of a late 13th century hall-house. This rectangular building has a round tower in one corner. The pointed gothic-style windows are almost like those of a church.
The pointed entrance into the hall itself can still be seen and this was probably reached from a wooden staircase, long since gone.
|
The architecture is different to most types of Scottish castle and its construction may have been influenced English trends at the time as some of the Rait brothers were known to have visited England.
It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman, daughter of the then Cumming laird. She died in tragic circumstances when she fell from one of the window ledges having had her hands cut off on her father's orders. He had invited Macintosh guests to a feast but planned to murder them and fearing that his daughter had given the game away, he had her swiftly dealt with.
The Save Rait Castle web site includes history, photos and tales of the ghost.
See the latest news on the Save Rait Castle Facebook page
|
