Rait Castle

Rait Castle is a rare example of early fourteenth-century Scottish stone hall-house architecture, standing as a scheduled monument near Nairn south of Inverness. Originally constructed by the Cumming family, also known as de Rait, this approximately fifty-four by twenty-two foot structure stands thirty-six feet in height and features distinctive round towers and a garderobe projection. The castle later passed to Clan Mackintosh and then Clan Campbell of Cawdor, becoming a site of historical drama and betrayal. The castle's layout reveals medieval defensive features including a courtyard, round towers, and chapel remains. Its dramatic history, architectural significance as an early hall-house design, and current status as a protected monument make it an important representation of medieval Scottish castle building.