Armadal

Mìneachadh – Meaning: ormr + dalr = nathair + gleann – snake + dale

Bha taigh no tùr daingeann aig Clann Dòmhnaill ann an Armadal bho dheireadh an 16mh linn agus ‘s dòcha na bu thràithe. Chaidh taigh mòr a thogail leis na Dòmhnallaich ann an 1790 agus chaidh Caisteal Armadail a thogail ri a thaobh aig toiseach an 19mh linn. Bha an caisteal na chùis iongnaidh do mhòran a chunnaic e mus deach a thrèigsinn le Clann Dòmhnaill  ann an 1925. Tha an t-iongnadh sin ri fhaicinn san duan seo. Tha gàrraidhean a’ chaisteil is Ionad Chlann Dòmhnaill a’ tàladh muinntir na sgìre is luchd-turais do Shlèite a h-uile bliadhna.

Clan Donald had a fortified residence at Armadale from the end of the 15th century and possibly much earlier. The MacDonalds built a grander residence in 1790 to which Armadale Castle was added at the start of the 19th century. The castle was seen as a wonder to many who saw it until it was vacated by Clan Donald in 1925. That sense of wondered is captured in this poem commissioned by Lord MacDonald. The castle gardens and the Clan Donald Centre attract many visitors to Sleat every year.