Strome Castle
By Paula Blamey
Strome Castle Journey StoneImage provided by Paula Blamey
Perched on a rocky outcrop on the north shore of Loch Carron, Strome Castle has perfect view towards the Isle of Skye.
Built in the 14th century, it was granted by James V to the Macdonalds of Glengarry in 1539. For the next 63 years the Macdonalds intermittently fought to keep possession of it with their neighbours, the Mackenzies of Kintail. In 1602 the castle was besieged by Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord of Kintail. Mackenzie was on the point of giving up the siege when, one night, a Macdonald women drawing water from the castle's well accidentally deposited it in the barrel containing the castle's stocks of gunpowder rather than in the barrel containing their immediate supply of water. A Mackenzie prisoner in the castle overheard the argument that followed and in the confusion escaped to inform Kenneth Mackenzie that the castle was now effectively defenceless. The Macdonald garrison negotiated their surrender and safe passage. After they had departed, the Mackenzies blew up the castle, leaving it very much as you see it today.
Many thanks to Paula Blamey for sharing with us the story behind her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.
WHAT IS A JOURNEY STONE?
Prior to the beginning of the stitching of each tapestry panel, each stitcher of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands was tasked with telling their interpretation of the 'Spirit of the Highlands and Islands' within a blank outline of a stone. The possibilities were truly endless - is it represented in the land? The people? A historical site? A favourite memory?
In any case, each journey stone represents the connection between of each individual stitcher, their story, and their own sense, or 'spirit', of place. Discover more of the stories behind the journey stones of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands here.