On the Isle of Bute, in the Firth of Clyde, Rothesay Castle presents a rarity: a circular plan, unique in Scotland. This castle is intimately linked to the Crown — the title of 'Duke of Rothesay' has been borne by the heir to the throne of Scotland since 1401 — and was modernised by the Stewart kings of the Renaissance.
A royal circular castle
Rothesay is a circular castle, an exceptional form in Scotland, with its round curtain wall and its north-west tower (become a dovecote). Its link with the Crown is old and strong: since 1401, the title of 'Duke of Rothesay' has been that of the heir to the throne of Scotland (like 'Prince of Wales' for the English heir) — a title still borne today by the heir to the British crown in Scotland. Rothesay was thus a royal castle of the first rank, a symbol of Stewart power in the insular west.
James IV's modernisation
The great Renaissance improvement of Rothesay is the 'forework' — an L-shaped forebuilding/gatehouse — begun by James IV around 1500 to arrange a modern royal lodging, with the curtain wall raised to 10 metres. The work was carried on under James V. The castle, which had resisted a siege in 1527, also served as a refuge: in October 1582, Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox — disgraced favourite of James VI, driven from the court — took brief refuge there. Rothesay thus illustrates the continuous presence of the Crown in the west of Scotland, from the dynastic symbol of the ducal title to the concrete works of the Renaissance kings. To see: the circular curtain wall (rare in Scotland) and the NW tower become a dovecote, the sixteenth-century forework with royal arms, the medieval chapel, the moat.
Did you know?
The title of 'Duke of Rothesay', linked to this castle on the Isle of Bute, is still alive: it is the title borne by the heir to the British throne when in Scotland (where he is called 'Prince of Wales' in England). Created in 1398-1401 for the heir of the Stewart kings, it has come through more than six centuries. Thus, a modest circular fortress of a Scottish island has given its name to one of the oldest princely titles still in use in the United Kingdom.
Notes
Rothesay Castle lies at Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute; a castle run by Historic Environment Scotland, open to visits. Seasonal hours to check.
Quiz
- What is unique about the plan of Rothesay Castle?
- It is circular (rare in Scotland)
- It is triangular
- It is underground
- To whom is the title 'Duke of Rothesay' linked?
- The heir to the throne of Scotland (then British)
- The pope
- The mayor of Rothesay
- Who modernised the castle around 1500?
- James IV (the 'forework')
- Cromwell
- Elizabeth I