Castle Cawdor, east of Inverness, is associated with Macbeth, thanks to Shakespeare. In Act I, Scene vi, he has Duncan say: "This castle hath a pleasant seat: the air/ Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself/ Unto our gentle senses." Shakespeare also calls Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor. But Cawdor Castle was constructed late in the 14th century, long after King Macbeth reigned (1040-1057). Macbeth was also a good guy: his muder of Duncan brought an end to Duncan's erratic rule and ushered in a period of law and order -- the exact opposite of what Shakespeare wrote. © 2004 Lawrence I. Charters |