Armadale Castle Gardens and Museum of the Isles

The Macdonalds arrived in Skye, from the Southern Hebrides, in the 15th century. They occupied Dunscaith and Knock Castle, both within a few miles of Armadale. By 1650 there were two farmhouses at Armadale, but after 1690 the family moved back to Duntulm Castle at the north end of Skye. The farm and gardens at Armadale were looked after by various other Macdonalds. The famous Flora Macdonald was married at Armadale on the 6th November 1750.

In about 1790 the first Lord Macdonald returned to build a new mansion house, part of which remains as the white section of the building seen today. In 1815 this was extended to a Gillespie Graham design to form Armadale Castle. In 1855 fire destroyed much of the original house which was partly replaced by the present central block designed by David Bryce.

In 1925 the Macdonald family moved to a smaller house a few miles away, leaving the castle to the wind and rain.

Today the Graham section is a sculptured ruin with a fine selection of plants from around the world. Part of the staircase and facade remain and old interior photographs can be seen on display.