Kisimul Castle - Caisteal Chiosmuil

Kisimul Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Chiosmuil) is located on a small island off Castlebay, Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh a' Chaisteil, Eilean Bharraigh, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Alba). This is the former seat of the Clan MacNeil and probably dates back to the fifteenth century. Within the curtain wall of this well preserved castle are the remains of structures including a tower.

Although the present building is thought to date from the late 15th century, legend has it that was the stronghold of the MacNeils since the 11th century. Excavations suggest that an earlier building could have stood on the site. They also uncovered a quantity of broken pottery and pieces of flint used for tools from prehistoric times. These items show that people were using the island thousands of years before the present castle was built.

Link and Image: Visit Scotland - Kisimul Castle. Image of the Kisimul Castle courtesy of Visit Scotland webpage.