Urquhart Castle is believed to have been home to Bridei, King of the Pics in the 6th century and in AD 580 was visited by St. Columba. The first known castle was built by the Durward Family around the 1230s after they were granted permission to do so by King Alexander II. During the Wars of Independence, Urquhart Castle was seized by the English. However, following their defeat at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, the garrison at Urquhart either abandoned or surrendered the castle. In the 1