Cawdor
Cawdor
village is situated 5 miles South West of Nairn. the famed
castle was the scene, according to the tradition which Shakespeare
has perpetuated, of the murder of King Duncan by Macbeth,
thane of Cawdor (or Calder), in 1040. Since the oldest part
of the structure dates from 1454, however, and seemingly had
no predecessor, the tradition has no foundation in fact.
The
building stands on the rocky bank of Cawdor Burn, a right-hand
tributary of the Nairn. The massive keep with small turrets
is the original portion of the castle, and to it were added,
in the 17th century, the modern buildings forming two sides
of a square.
Kilravock
(pronounced Kilrawk) Castle, west of Cawdor, occupies a commanding
site on the left bank of the Nairn. Its keep dates from 1460,
and the later buildings belong to the 17th century. It has
been. continuously tenanted by the Roses, one of the most
remarkable families in Scotland. They came over with William
the Conqueror and settled at Kilravock in 1293, since which
date son. has succeeded father without the interposition of
a collateral heir, an. instance of direct descent unique in
Scottish history. Moreover, nearly every Rose has borne the
Christian name of Hugh, and only one attained to a higher
social rank than that of laird. Queen Mary was received at
the castle in 1562, and Prince Charles Edward was entertained
four days before the battle of Culloden. The gardens are remarkable
for their beauty.
