Old photograph of Kisimul Castle, Island of Barra, Scotland. The earliest documentary record of Kisimul Castle dates from the mid 16th century. As Kisimul is completely surrounded by the sea, it can only be reached by boat making the fortification impregnable but it has its own fresh water wells. Kisimul was abandoned in 1838 when the island was sold, and the castle's condition deteriorated. Some of its stone was used as ballast for fishing vessels, and some even ended up as paving in Glasgow. The remains of the castle, along with most of the island of Barra, were purchased by the chief of Clan MacNeill in 1937, who made efforts at restoration. In 2001 the castle was leased by the chief of Clan MacNeil to Historic Scotland for 1000 years for the annual sum of £1 and a bottle of whisky.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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