Landscape paintings of Scotland by Scottish landscape artist Ardell Morton. Ardell Morton is a Scottish landscape artist born in the U.S. of Scottish heritage. A traditional oil painter, she specializes in the Highlands and the Hebrides Islands where she has traveled extensively, sketching and documenting the local landscape and wildlife. A large part of her time is also spent in historical research of Scottish clans in relation to their strongholds and medieval castle sites. Ardell`s paintings of Scottish castles include Duart Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Urquhart Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, Dunvegan Castle, Balmoral Castle, Morton Castle, Dun Sgathiach. Other subjects in Scotland for her landscape paintings are Oban Harbour, Neptune`s Staircase, Waternish, Buchaille Etive Mor, St Ronan`s Bay, St Mary`s Abbey, Isle of Iona and Balquidder, the home of Rob Roy MacGregor and also the artist Ardell Morton herself. Morton considers Balquhidder, on Loch Voil in Perthshire, her home base. From there she does most of her painting, takes walks by the loch and up into the mountains, and works in the garden. Some of her travels include climbing the cliffs of Mingulay and Staffa just to watch the puffins nest, traversing the Uists in search of legendary pictish stones, hiking the Isle of Barra for the best view of Kisimul Castle in Castle Bay, and enduring the worst of winds to reach the high promontory of Dunnottar Castle. One of her favorite places in the majestic site of Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull, especially as viewed from the old Kirk yard with the purple mountains of the mainland reigning over the Sound. But her heart always goes back to the late night sunsets from Dunvegan Castle, on the Isle of Skye, when the seals are going in for the night and the isles of the outer Hebrides sparkle like pastel gems in the fading light. For more information about original paintings, or about the artist, Ardell Morton, please contact us either by writing or sending an email message. Recent paintings include the following Duart Castle Isle of Mull Duart Castle is one of the classic residences of a highland chief and has been in the Maclean family since at least the 14th century. Duart Castle is sited on a high craig jutting out into the Sound of Mull. Dubh Ard in Gaelic means "Black Point" and this majestic castle was surely a strategic stronghold during the times of the Norse and Viking raiders. Kilchurn Castle Loch Awe Framed by Noble Ben Cruchan, on its rocky promontory midst Loch Awe, Kilchurn Castle reigns serenely on its wee island that once was the MacGregors'. Cherished throughout history by artists and poets for its picturesque location, Kilchurn was also an important strategic stronghold of the Campbells and is noted for its five-story tower house and dominant circular towers. Urquhart Castle Loch Ness Urquhart Castle is one of the most interesting castles in Scotland's history and still today the mystery of her past lingers amongst the ruins. Urquhart stands on a high sandstone promontory projecting into Lock Ness and was once 50 feet above the water level before the Caledonian canal was built in 1803. It is possible to find quantities of vitrified stone left from the Iron age, believed to be a dry stone fort interlaced with timbers. The first castle was built in the 13th century which consisted of an enclosure with a curtain wall and gatehouse, including a hall and chapel. Urquhart Castle has a long and exciting history of sieges and captures, from the English crown to the Lord of the Isles. Just some of the illustrious names in possession of the castle at some time include: Mar, Huntley, Gordon, Grant, Comyn, Lauder, Forbes, and Alan Durward, Lord Urquhart. Neptune's Staircase Lochaber Eight lochs of the Calendonian Canal at Banavie are named "Neptune's Staircase." The canal was the greatest = engineering endeavor of its itme. it was surveyed by Thomnas Telford in 1801. Construction began in 1803. The impetus for building the canal was the danger to west coast shipping by French pirates during the Napoleonic Wars. The lochs were built to accomodate frigates, as well as trading vessels. Eilean Donan Castle Wester Ross Eilean Donan overlooking Loch Duich, is one of Scotland's most romantically picturesque castles. This 12th century castle, believed to have been built by Alexander II to defend against Viking raids, belonged to the Mackenzies of Kintail until the early 16 th century when it became the seat of the Clan MacRae. The castle lay in ruins for 200 years after the English destroyed it with cannon fire during the Jacobite Rising of 1719. Fortunately, the 1930s restoration has returned this castle to its former beauty. Dunvegan Castle Dunvegan comes from Dun Began after Began the Viking, who by conquest acquired a fortified house on Skye, perched on the top of a rock.Dunvegan Castle consists of a 14th century keep, 15th century tower, and a joining hall block from the 17th century, and was completely remodeled in the 19th century.Dunvegan has been continuously occupied by the chiefs of McLeod since 1270, and is the home of the renowned Fairy Flag. The MacLeods were Jacobites, and retain many mementoes of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Balmoral Castle Balmoral Castle is a castellated mansion in the wooded countryside by the river Dee. Prince Albert had Balmoral Castle built as a country home for Queen Victoria in 1855. The property was once a hunting seat for Robert II, and in 1390 a stone castle was built here by Sir Malcolm Drummond. The property was acquired later by the Gordon Earls of Huntly, and then passed on to the Farquharsons of Inverey in 1662. The estate today is still maintained as a country residence by Her Majesty the Queen. Morton Castle Galloway Morton Castle consists of a ruined 15th century keep and triangular courtyard, built over a previous castle destroyed in 1357. Morton Castle's strategical location overlooks Loch Morton, south of Morton Mains in Dumfries and Galloway. The property originally belonged to the Adairs, but passed to Thomas Randolph early in the 14th century. The site then passed on to Cospatrick Earl of March who built the exisitng castle. In 1459 it was aquired by the Douglases, who were later made Earls of Morton. Duart Castle II Isle of Mull Duart Castle is one of the classic residences of a highland chief and has been in the Maclean family since at least the 14th century. Duart Castle is sited on a high craig jutting out into the Sound of Mull. Dubh Ard in Gaelic means "Black Point" and this majestic castle was surely a strategic stronghold during the times of the Norse and Viking raiders. Eilean Donan Castle II Wester Ross Eilean Donan overlooking Loch Duich, is one of Scotland's most romantically picturesque castles. This 12th century castle, believed to have been built by Alexander II to defend against Viking raids, belonged to the Mackenzies of Kintail until the early 16 th century when it became the seat of the Clan MacRae. The castle lay in ruins for 200 years after the English destroyed it with cannon fire during the Jacobite Rising of 1719. Fortunately, the 1930s restoration has returned this castle to its former beauty. Dun Sgathiach Dun Sgathiach is a ruined 14th century courtyard castle, incorporating an older castle or dun. The name meaning "Dun of the Shadow", is associated Diarmid, a companion of Finn MacCool, the legendary Irish hero. There is much history and many legends about this ancient castle, including that it was build in a single night by a witch. Although the castle was originally held by the MacAskills, in the 14th century the lands of Sleat belonged to the MacLeods. After managing to fight off attacks by the MacDonald Lord of the Isles in 1395, and again in 1401, finally in the early 15th century the property passed to the MacDonalds. Oban Harbour There will never come a time when I tire of Oban, with all her boats and ships all tied up about the harbor and the gulls out on parade.. At night the lights dance upon the water and you cannot help but think about dark Dunollie Castle looking out over the isle of Kerrera. View from Waternish As an artist I was quite charmed by this peaceful view from the little village of Geary, snuggled up the north end of the Waternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye,just over the hill from Dun Hallin. Dotted with sparse white washed cottages perched up on the cliffs, their stillness betraying the magnitude of the history past, in a place where the wind never ceases to gale. It is truly the end of the road. On a clear day you can look across the harbour at Uig, the purple mountains of Trotternish, and the shadows of the Western Isles. Buchaille Etive Mor Buchaille Etive Mor stands at the entrance to Glencoe on the fringes of the wilderness of Rannoch Moor. The cottage is aptly known as the Black Rock. This eerie and silent mountain complex is known for its spectacular beauty and foreboding history, the most renowned of which is the Massacre of the MacDonalds of Glencoe in 1692 by a Campbell regiment at the order of King William. St. Ronan's Bay Isle of Iona Iona was adopted as the center of religion by the sun worshipping Druids long before the birth of Christianity that brought Saint Columba in 563 AD. Steeped in Medieval history and folklore, Iona's celtic crosses watch over the burial grounds of Kings and Viking massacres. over the Centuries, Iona has passed from the McDonalds to the Macleans of Duart and finally, to the Dukes of Argyll, where it remains to this day. St. John's Cross Isle of Iona Iona was adopted as the center of religion by the sun worshipping Druids long before the birth of Christianity that brought Saint Columba in 563 AD. Steeped in Medieval history and folklore, Iona's celtic crosses watch over the burial grounds of Kings and Viking massacres. over the Centuries, Iona has passed from the McDonalds to the Macleans of Duart and finally, to the Dukes of Argyll, where it remains to this day. St. Mary's Abbey Isle of Iona Iona was adopted as the center of religion by the sun worshipping Druids long before the birth of Christianity that brought Saint Columba in 563 AD. Steeped in Medieval history and folklore, Iona's celtic crosses watch over the burial grounds of Kings and Viking massacres. over the Centuries, Iona has passed from the McDonalds to the Macleans of Duart and finally, to the Dukes of Argyll, where it remains to this day. Rob Roy's Balquidder The ruins of Balquidder's older Kirk overlooking the serene Loch Voil was partially built over the 13th Century pre-Reformation church known as "Eaglais Beag" - Little Church. The present Kirk on the right was built by David Carnegie in 1855. Balquidder is well known as the burial site of the legendary Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734). This area is also the traditional home of Clans Laurin (MacLaren), MacGregor, Fergus(s)on, and Stewart of Glenbuckie Highland Fields Stirling Highland Cottage Invernesshire Boats at Plockton If you go north from Eilean Donan Castle before Kyle of Lochalsh, following the one-track road along the coast, you will eventually come to the picturesque village of Plockton. Plockton is unique for a west coast fishing village in that it is set on the east side of a great headland protruding out of Loch Carron which protects it from sea gales. Otters and seals swim in the many creeks and inlets up and down this beautiful coastline, dotted with palm trees that flourish from the water of the Gulf Stream. Highland cattle roam the Main Street and sunbath on the beach. Longhouse at Keller Red Bridge at Callander Once one of a string of forts built all the way to Perth in the first century by the Romans, Callander today is a booming tourist town. The beautiful view of Ben Ledi towering over the southern end of Loch Lubnaig provides a magnificent landmark when viewed from the Stirling to Callander road. Main Street houses the Rob Roy Center, many woolen stores, tea shops and the best fish and chips anywhere. Village of Balquhidder Once the bustling hubbub of Kirkton Glen, this tiny village supported a pub, country store, mill, hall and reading room. Now its peaceful reverie is only broken by tourists come to visit Rob Roy's grave, hill walkers and those who just want to walk along Loch Voil. All that was once part of the Carnegie estate is now broken up into pivate homes although the clans such as the MacLarens, MacGregors, Stewarts and Fergusons still gather in the glen.
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Duart Castle, Isle of Mull
Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe
Neptune`s Staircase, Lochaber
Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye
Balmoral Castle, Grampian
St. John`s Cross, Isle of Iona
St. Mary`s Abbey, Isle of Iona
St. Ronan`s Bay, Isle of Iona
Eilean Donan Castle
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Duart Castle, Isle of Mull
Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe
Neptune`s Staircase, Lochaber
Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye
Balmoral Castle, Grampian
St. John`s Cross, Isle of Iona
St. Mary`s Abbey, Isle of Iona
St. Ronan`s Bay, Isle of Iona
Eilean Donan Castle
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Original Painting
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Limited Edition Print
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