House & Family History: The Thanes of Cawdor built the Castle in the 14th century as a private fortress. Cawdor is mentioned as the setting for Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth;" however, as Cawdor was not built until centuries after the play takes place, this can only be taken as romantic fiction. The famous Scottish architect Colen Campbell, arguably the first proponent of Neo-Palladianism and in Britain and the father of the Georgian style (he wrote "Vitruvius Britannicus" in 1715), was a descendent of the Campbells of Cawdor Castle. Cawdor and the Campbell family have received much attention since the publication in 2006 of Liza Campbell's book, "A Charmed Life: Growing Up in Macbeth's Castle" ("Title Deeds" in the UK), which describes an extremely dysfunctional family.

Collections: Nine portraits were purchased by the National Galleries of Scotland in 1988-89, in lieu of tax, to remain on site.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 33, 1855.

Country Life: II, 14, 1897. XX, 942, 1906. XCVII, 816 plan, 860, 1945.

House Listed: Category A

Park Listed: Listed

Current Seat / Home of: Dowager Countess Cawdor

Past Seat / Home of: Campbell family.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01667-404-401

Fax: 01667-404-674

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.cawdorcastle.com

Historic Houses Member: Yes