Islands · Scottish Islands
Kisimul Castle
Also known as: Caisteal Chiosmuil
In or near Borve.
Kisimul Castle — castle on a small island near Castlebay, Scotland.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 4 h–12 h
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Kisimul Castle is a island in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to 1427. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Owned by Clan MacNeil. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Part of Outer Hebrides. Wikidata describes it as: "castle on a small island near Castlebay, Scotland". Coordinates: 56.9520°, -7.4870°.
Photo gallery
From Historic Environment Scotland
Get a taste of the history of Kisimul Castle and highlights of visiting the ‘Castle in the Sea’, the only significant medieval castle in the Western Isles. On the Isle of Barra.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Kisimul Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Chiosmuil) and also known as Kiessimul Castle, is a medieval castle located on a small island off Castlebay, Barra, in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It gets its name from the Norse ciosamul, meaning "castle island".
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The earliest documentary record of Kisimul Castle dates from the mid 16th century. Writing in 1549, Dean Monro stated of Barra that "Within the southwest end of this isle, ther enters a salt water loche, verey narrow in the entrey, and round and braide within. Into the middis of the saide loche there is ane ile, upon ane strenthey craige, callit Kiselnin, perteining to M’Kneil of Barray." However, Campbell (1936) points out that Monro has in part confused the nearby Bàgh Beag with Bàgh a' Chaisteil. The castle is built on a rocky islet in the bay, just off the coast of Barra. It can only be reached by boat. Kisimul has its own fresh water wells. Legend has it that was the stronghold of the…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 56.9520, -7.4870
- District
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- Postcode
- HS9 5UZ
- Parliamentary constituency
- Na h-Eileanan an Iar
- Established
- 1427
- Official site
- www.historicenvironment.scot
Sources
- wikidata: Q79160 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Kisimul Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Kisimul Castle 20090609.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Featured in this guide
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Flagship📷 5Frequently asked questions
- Where is Kisimul Castle?
- Kisimul Castle is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode HS9 5UZ).
- What is Kisimul Castle?
- Kisimul Castle — castle on a small island near Castlebay, Scotland.
- How do I get to Kisimul Castle?
- Drivers can use postcode HS9 5UZ.
- When was Kisimul Castle built?
- Built or established in 1427.
- Who owns Kisimul Castle?
- Kisimul Castle is owned by Clan MacNeil and operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
- Is Kisimul Castle a listed building?
- Kisimul Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Is Kisimul Castle free to visit?
- Yes, Kisimul Castle is free to enter.
- How do I get to Kisimul Castle?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode HS9 5UZ. It sits within the Na h-Eileanan an Iar parliamentary constituency.