Rothesay Castle: The First Stewart Stronghold

The Stewarts are forever entwined with the forming of the Scottish nation. They lay the foundations for the Scotland we know today. And the best example of that lasting impression is Rothesay Castle, the first Stewart Stronghold in Scotland. Built in the 13th century by High Steward of Scotland Alan Fitz Walter and completed by his son Walter Stewart, it is one of the oldest surviving castles in Scotland. And with its unusual circular structure the castle proved a great strategic stronghold against their enemies over the centuries.

The Courtyard

Built on the border between Scottish and Norwegian control, the castle became a stronghold in the battles over control of the Western Isles. The Stewarts held Rothesay for their King in the battle of Largs which eventually led to the Treaty of Perth three years later, establishing the Western Isles under Scottish jurisdiction while Orkney and the Shetland Isles remained under Norway's, finally calling a truce between the two nations.

When the Stewarts eventually gained the crown in 1371, Rothesay remained a favourite residence for both Robert II and Robert III who died there in 1406. It was not until James IV though that the castle became popular again, used as a stronghold and royal residence that he enjoyed so much he began restoring the castle and adding new parts to it. Sadly he never lived to see its completion due to his untimely demise in 1513 at the battle of Flodden.

The Gatehouse

The castle's importance didn't end there though, occupied by the Earl of Lennox during the Rough Wooings for the English; garrisoned by Cromwell's men in the 17th century while occupying Scotland, dismantling parts of it upon their departure. It was also used as a prison for a time before it was plundered and burned in 1685, forcing the castle keeper to move elsewhere eventually settling at Mount Stuart.

The Main Hall

The castle itself is unique in many ways; it is one of only a handful of castles still with a moat surrounding it, which offered an extra layer of defense against enemies, as well as its unusual circular structure. When entering the castle you walk across the bridge over the moat, the first part you enter being the gatehouse built by James IV and V, enlarging the original to make accommodations above the entrance for royal guests. And above the entrance you can still see the heraldic arms featuring the lion rampant and unicorn of the royal badge.

Stewart Royal Coat of Arms

Inside the gatehouse a set of stairs lead you to its main hall, the only room still intact today. Used to house and entertain visitors, the hangings on the walls are similar to the tapestries that would have covered the stone walls, including the cloth of estate hanging over the fireplace which would be placed during the King's stay. It is a spacious room with table and benches as well as miniature productions of the castle for the visitors to see what the original buildings once looked like.

The Pigeon Tower

The medieval miniature features several smaller buildings within the courtyard, a stark contrast to the courtyard today with its large open space that once would have been a hive of activity. Today there are only the barest traces of the buildings that once stood there, the foundations of which were revealed in the 1800s through excavations. Of the four towers the most well preserved is today known as the Pigeon Tower. It was used as lodgings for the King before the later gatehouse was built and believed to have been converted in the 1600s to house pigeons during the winter months, the nesting holes still visible within the tower walls.

The Chapel

Of the courtyard buildings the best preserved is the Chapel. Based on analysis, the chapel is most likely to have been built in the 1500s by either James IV or James V. The impressive structure was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, who in fact was not a saint in the traditional sense. He is the leader of all angels and the army of God. Due to his place in heaven beside God he is considered above other angels in rank, and is the patron of soldiers, police and doctors, today invoked for protection. So perhaps St Michael was well chosen with the castle's history of defense.

House of Stewart Badge

In its time Rothesay Castle was a formidable structure. Today you can walk around the outside of the grounds to get a better appreciation of its scale, and its place among the town of Rothesay itself. The castle housed the earliest Stewarts long before the crown rested on their heads and became a favourite royal residence to later monarchs. But it has an important place in the formation of Scotland, from defending against Vikings to the English, from housing royalty to prisoners over the centuries, Rothesay Castle has left its mark on Scotland as we know it today, forever entwined with the story of Scotland's most important royal family: the Stewarts.