Skibo Castle

Skibo Castle is located to the west of Dornoch in Sutherland, Scotland overlooking the Dornoch Firth.

Related Topics:
Dornoch - Sutherland - Scotland - Dornoch Firth

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Construction of Skibo Castle was started by Gilbert de Moravia, the Bishop of Caithness around 1186 at Schytherbolle in the southern area of his bishopric. Schytherbolle is the Gaelic name for Skibo and roughly translates as place of peace or fairlyland.

Related Topics:
Gilbert de Moravia - Bishop of Caithness - 1186 - Bishopric - Gaelic

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Skibo Castle remained the residence of subsequent bishops until 1545 when the estate was, as a tactical measure by the church, given to John Gray in order to reinforce its alliance with a powerful family as the threat of Protestant uprising spread towards the north.

Related Topics:
1545 - John Gray - Protestant

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In 1745, Robert Gray surrendered the estate. Its ownership changed frequently and its condition declined until 1897 when Andrew Carnegie took a one year lease with an option to buy. In 1898 he exercised that option for £85,000. However its condition had declined so much by this time that a further £2 million was needed for improvements.

Related Topics:
1745 - 1897 - Andrew Carnegie - 1898

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Skibo Castle also hosted Madonna's wedding to Guy Ritchie on December 22, 2000. In December 2001, Ashley Judd married Dario Franchitti here also.

Related Topics:
Madonna - Guy Ritchie - December 22 - 2000 - December - 2001 - Ashley Judd - Dario Franchitti

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