Macbeth's castle stood on the site now occupied
by the present Inverness Castle. Its ground floor was vaulted while the
upper floor was made of timbers. The roof was flat and leaded and was
surrounded by a low parapet. It was in this castle that Macbeth is said to
have murdered Duncan I, according to the Shakespeare play. Although the
play portrays Macbeth as an inadequate king, in reality he reigned well
for 17 years before being killed by Duncan's son Malcolm III.
During the reign of George II a square was formed with the castle. It
included a house for the Governor and barracks for officers and soldiers.
Macbeth's castle made up the south side of the square and was used as the
fort-major's residence. In 1746, the castle (then known as Fort George -
not to be confused with the present Fort George, near Ardersier) was taken
by Jacobites who blew it up.
|
|
