Cairnburgh Castle (15)
The pile of stones at the east (left) end of the chapel, is the remains of the altar.
During the 15th century, Cairnburgh remained in the keeping of the MacLeans of Duart, but after the forfeiture of Lachlan MacLean in 1504, who had supported the Clan Donald rebellion against the crown, the castle was besieged by a royal expeditionary force sent from Dumbarton. This was the first occasion in Scotland that artillery was deployed on ships. The siege lasted several weeks (which suggests the guns had limited effect!).
In 1513, following the Battle of Flodden, the rebellion flared again. Lachlan MacLean siezed Cairnburgh back, but the government, desparate to counter Clan Donald, handed out pardons to anyone that would change sides and support the crown, and MacLean was one of those that came to terms with the government and was reinstated in his possessions. We are told that "On September 6th, 1515, John, Duke of Albany, Regent of the Kingdom, granted to Lachlan Maclean of Dowart and Alexander Macleod of Dunvegan, their servants, landed men, gentlemen, and yeomen, a remission for all past crimes, and in particular for besieging and taking the Castles of Cairnburgh and Dunskaich, and holding them against his authority, and for assisting Sir Donald of Lochalsh and his accomplices, the remission to last till January, 1516."
In 1579 a complaint was made to the Privy Council against Lachlan MacLean of Duart by Donald MacLean (of the Torloisk branch of the family) on account of his unlawful imprisonment in the castle of "Cairnbulge".
Cairnburgh Castle (15)
The pile of stones at the east (left) end of the chapel, is the remains of the altar.
During the 15th century, Cairnburgh remained in the keeping of the MacLeans of Duart, but after the forfeiture of Lachlan MacLean in 1504, who had supported the Clan Donald rebellion against the crown, the castle was besieged by a royal expeditionary force sent from Dumbarton. This was the first occasion in Scotland that artillery was deployed on ships. The siege lasted several weeks (which suggests the guns had limited effect!).
In 1513, following the Battle of Flodden, the rebellion flared again. Lachlan MacLean siezed Cairnburgh back, but the government, desparate to counter Clan Donald, handed out pardons to anyone that would change sides and support the crown, and MacLean was one of those that came to terms with the government and was reinstated in his possessions. We are told that "On September 6th, 1515, John, Duke of Albany, Regent of the Kingdom, granted to Lachlan Maclean of Dowart and Alexander Macleod of Dunvegan, their servants, landed men, gentlemen, and yeomen, a remission for all past crimes, and in particular for besieging and taking the Castles of Cairnburgh and Dunskaich, and holding them against his authority, and for assisting Sir Donald of Lochalsh and his accomplices, the remission to last till January, 1516."
In 1579 a complaint was made to the Privy Council against Lachlan MacLean of Duart by Donald MacLean (of the Torloisk branch of the family) on account of his unlawful imprisonment in the castle of "Cairnbulge".