Castle Tioram (13)
Though the lands of Moidart, including Castle Tioram, were among those claimed by the Crown following the forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles in 1493, the family remained in possession of their lordship and from at least 1519 styled themselves ‘Captains of Clanranald’ - the title still used by their descendants today.
John Moidartach, Captain of Clanranald from 1530 until 1540 and again from 1542 until his death in 1584 (and son of Alexander, the usurping 7th chief) , was perhaps the most renowned Captain of the clan and remained a thorn in his neighbouring chieftains’ sides throughout his long life. Nor did he escape notice on the national stage. In 1554 the Regent Mary of Guide (Mary Queen of Scots mother), commanded the Earls of Huntly and Argyll to assault Tioram by land and by sea, using artillery. When repairs to the walls were conducted in 1888, several cannon balls were found lodged in the masonry. It is highly probable that the 16th century modifications to the castle took place after this battering.
Castle Tioram (13)
Though the lands of Moidart, including Castle Tioram, were among those claimed by the Crown following the forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles in 1493, the family remained in possession of their lordship and from at least 1519 styled themselves ‘Captains of Clanranald’ - the title still used by their descendants today.
John Moidartach, Captain of Clanranald from 1530 until 1540 and again from 1542 until his death in 1584 (and son of Alexander, the usurping 7th chief) , was perhaps the most renowned Captain of the clan and remained a thorn in his neighbouring chieftains’ sides throughout his long life. Nor did he escape notice on the national stage. In 1554 the Regent Mary of Guide (Mary Queen of Scots mother), commanded the Earls of Huntly and Argyll to assault Tioram by land and by sea, using artillery. When repairs to the walls were conducted in 1888, several cannon balls were found lodged in the masonry. It is highly probable that the 16th century modifications to the castle took place after this battering.