Entries about mckenzie clan

Ullapool is a picturesque small fishing village on Loch Broom that is a good base for day trips to places such as Ardvreck. There is a pretty port, some good restaurants and a handful of places to stay that book very quickly, so plan in advance if you go. There is also a campsite where you can pitch a tent or park your camper. There are quite a few restaurants, but they fill up quickly. A local specialty is mussels which is served in a creamy broth with fresh bread for dunking.

There are many castles in Scotland. Some are in ruins, some are still lived in. They are often featured in movies such as Highlander and TV shows such as Game of Thrones. All of them belonged to to one clan or another and have long, documented histories. The Ardvreck Castle, a ruin of a three-story tower overlooking Loch Assynt, belonged to the McCleod Clan. During the late 1600s the castle was taken by the Mackenzies, and was replaced by the newer Calda House, a short walk south of the castle. Calda House was attacked and burned by the MacRaes in 1760. The property passed back to the Mackenzies...you get the idea. Clans in Scotland were constantly battling each other for power and land. Happily, some castles survived. Even the ones that didn't are worth a visit because their settings are so inspiring. The Ardvreck Castle is said to be haunted by the weeping ghost of one of the daughters of a MacLeod chief who threw herself out of one of the windows. Although the Scots I met all have a great sense of humor, there are no happy endings in Scottish tales.