🏰 Cawdor Castle
Where Myth Meets a Living Home
If you’re touring the Moray Firth or the Highlands near
Inverness, Cawdor Castle is an
absolute essential. It’s famous worldwide thanks to William Shakespeare, but
the real history involving a thorn tree and a kidnapped heiress is even
better than the play!
📍 Location
- Where is it? Located in the
parish of Cawdor, about 5
miles southwest of Nairn
and 12 miles east of Inverness.
- Setting: It’s surrounded by
stunning formal gardens and "The Big Wood," featuring some of
the most ancient trees in the Highlands.
- Coordinates: 57.524N, 3.926W ///uptown.beaks.nightcap
- Van Access: There is a good-sized
car park, and the drive in is manageable for most motorhomes, though the
village roads are charmingly narrow!
📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants
The castle is built around a literal piece of nature that
you can still see today.
1. The Legend of the
Thorn Tree (1370s)
- The Founder: The Thanes of Calder (later Cawdor)
wanted to build a new tower.
- The Decision: Legend says the
Thane loaded a donkey with gold and let it roam; wherever it stopped to
rest, he would build his castle. The donkey stopped under a holly tree.
- The Result: The castle was built around
that tree. If you visit the dungeon today, you can still see the remains
of the "Thorn Tree"
(which carbon dating has proven died around 1372).
2. The Calder to
Campbell Shift (1510)
- The Inhabitants: Originally the
home of the Calders. However, the 8th Thane died leaving only a baby girl,
Muriel, as his heir.
- The Kidnapping: The powerful Earl of Argyll (a Campbell)
kidnapped Muriel to marry her off to his son, Sir John Campbell. When her
nursemaid worried about Muriel being swapped for another child, it’s said
the Earl replied, "She can never be changed as long as she has the
mark of the red-hot key on her shoulder!"
- The Legacy: The Campbells of Cawdor have lived
there ever since.
3. 17th Century
Splendour
- The
castle was significantly expanded in the 1600s, adding the beautiful range
of residential buildings that surround the original medieval keep.
👑 Significance in History and Politics
Cawdor sits at the intersection of English literature and
Scottish reality.
- The Macbeth Connection: In
Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the protagonist is named "Thane of
Cawdor." While this made the castle world-famous, it is historically
impossible—the real King Macbeth lived in the 11th century, 300 years before
the castle was built! The castle owners have a great sense of humour about
this, often telling visitors: "The bird was here, but the nest was
not."
- Highland Power Dynamics: The
transition from the Calders to the Campbells represents a major political
shift in Scottish history. It shows how the Clan Campbell expanded their massive influence from the west
coast into the north through strategic marriages and
"aggressive" legal maneuvering.
- Preservation of the Peerage:
Cawdor remains the seat of the Earl
Cawdor. Its continued use as a private residence (inhabited by the
Dowager Countess Cawdor) highlights the survival of the Scottish
aristocracy and their role in maintaining Highland heritage through the
centuries.
Johnny’s Travel Tip:
Don’t just look at the castle! The gardens are world-class, including a
"Walled Garden" and a "Wild Garden." It’s a great place to
stretch your legs after a long stint behind the wheel.
Have you ever seen
the famous "Thorn Tree" in the dungeon? Or did you go
specifically for the Macbeth connection? Let us know in the comments! 👇
#MotorhomeTouringScotland #CawdorCastle #HighlandHistory
#Macbeth #ScottishCastles #MotorhomeLife #JohnnyBurr
🚐 Where to Park the Van: Cawdor & Nairn
Area
1. Barns Highland
(Best for Views & Space)
Just a stone’s throw from Nairn, this is a firm favourite
for the motorhome community. It’s a dedicated campsite on a working farm.
- Why it’s great: Huge, level
pitches and incredible views over the Moray Firth. It’s very
"big-rig" friendly.
- Distance to Cawdor: ~15 minutes.
2. The Cawdor Tavern (The "Pub Stay" Option)
Located right in the heart of Cawdor village.
- Why it’s great: If your followers
are looking for that authentic Highland evening, this is it. They are known
to be welcoming to motorhomes for a "stay-and-dine" arrangement
(always tell people to call ahead!).
- Distance to Cawdor: Literally
around the corner from the castle gates.
3. Culloden Moor Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
For those who prefer the reliability of the Club network.
- Why it’s great: It’s
exceptionally well-maintained and quiet. It’s also perfectly positioned if
people want to do a "Historic Triangle" trip: Cawdor Castle,
Culloden Battlefield, and Clava Cairns.
- Distance to Cawdor: ~15-20 minutes.
4. Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park (Best for Families/Beach Lovers)
- Why it’s great: It sits right on
the edge of the East Beach in Nairn. Great for a coastal walk after a day
of castle touring.
- Distance to Cawdor: ~15 minutes.
💡 Johnny’s "Pro-Tip" for the Post:
"If you're heading to Cawdor from the Inverness side,
keep an eye on your sat-nav. Some of the back roads toward the castle are
beautiful but can get a bit 'hairy' if you're in a larger tag-axle. Stick to
the B9090 or B9006 for the easiest approach!"
For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:
https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NTTk4vGyDXVvUWaZkYuTE6X1IA9p8A8&usp=sharing
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