Calvay Castle

This article is about a castle on an islet in Loch Boisdale. For other uses, see Calvay (disambiguation).

Ruins of Calvay Castle

Calvay Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Calbhaigh) is a ruined castle on an islet close to the island of Calbhaigh, at the eastern approaches to Loch Boisdale, South Uist. The castle is linked by a causeway from Calbhaigh, which becomes inundated at high tide. The castle is a scheduled monument.[1]

The castle may have been built by the MacRuaries of Garmoran, or by the MacNeils of Barra who were granted the lands of Boisdate in the 15th century.[2] Bonnie Prince Charlie hid at the castle in June 1746, while fleeing from the Duke of Cumberland's troops after the Battle of Culloden.[2]

The island also has a lighthouse, built by David Alan Stevenson in 1891.[3]

  1. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Castle Calvay,castle,Calvay,Loch Boisdale (SM5853)". Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Calvay Castle (10130)". Canmore. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Lighthouses built by David A. Stevenson". Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 26 November 2012.