Hotels near Rothesay Castle
Rothesay Castle sits squarely in the middle of the town of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. A rather unusual location for an ancient monument, but one that adds a certain charm to Rothesay town centre. Originally, the castle was virtually sitting on the shore, being only 75 yards from the sea. During 1839 and 1840, the shoreline was extended and Victoria Street, Albert Place, and the Esplanade were added to the town. The result was to place the castle behind a curtain of buildings so that it can scarcely be seen from the bay.
Rothesay Castle is a courtyard castle, and originally consisted of the great curtain wall, which may date from 1204. It is first mentioned in the Anecdotes of Olave the Black which describes its capture by the Vikings in 1228. Until 1263, the castle changed hands many times until the defeat of the Vikings at the Battle of Largs ended their influence in this part of Scotland.
The castle sits on a mound surrounded by a deep moat which is fed by a burn from Loch Fad. As well as the moat and curtain wall, there would have been a wooden pallisade on the inner shore of the moat.
The castle was held by the English during the Wars of Independence, but was taken by Robert The Bruce, only to be recaptured again by the English in 1334, once again to be recaptured by the Scots.
Rothesay Castle was a favourite residence of Robert II, 1371-1390, who built the small chapel of St Michael in the courtyard. (St Michael the Archangel was the patron saint of warriors.) Robert III, 1390-1406, was the first monarch to create his eldest son Duke of Rothesay. That title is still bestowed on the heir apparent to the throne and is currently held by Prince Charles. It was also Robert III who gave the town of Rothesay its royal charter in 1401. Rothesay's charter is the first occasion in which the term 'royal burgh' is used in a Scottish document.
14 hotels
HOTELS
Location: Colintraive
Distance: 6.44 miles
Rating: 3*
Prices From: £75.00
Location: Largs
Distance: 7.74 miles
Rating: 4*
Prices From: £69.00
Location: Largs
Distance: 8.15 miles
Rating: 3*
Prices From: £55.00
Location: Argyll
Distance: 8.22 miles
Rating: 3*
Prices From: £45.00
Location: Dunoon
Distance: 8.41 miles
Rating: 4*
Prices From: £69.00
Location: Tighnabruaich
Distance: 8.43 miles
Rating: 4*
Prices From: £70.00
Location: Tighnabruaich
Distance: 8.45 miles
Rating: 3*
Prices From: £95.00
Location: Tighnabruaich
Distance: 8.46 miles
Rating: 3*
Prices From: £50.00
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