Kisimul Castle the home of the MacNeil Chieftans
By
Roderick Wilson MacNeil of Barra, 47th Chief, stands at Kisimul Castle. (August 2014 dnl)
Webmaster, Daniel Neil Leininger in kilt at Kisimul Castle in the summer of 2014.
Kisimul Castle was the 14th Century home of the MacNeil Chiefs.
In 2014, the current Chief, Roderick Wilson MacNeil, received the Clan members at a Reunion of the MacNeil Clan on Barra. Here he stands outside the boat landing to the Castle.
In the courtyard of Kisimul Castle two young Lasses were playing bagpipes to welcome the visitors. 
The castle home of the MacNeil Chieftains has been restored and contains many of the ancient objects of the clan.
“Vincere Vel Mori” Conquer or Die ~ The MacNeil motto over the crest and coat of arms.
The MacNeil Crest graces the wall of the Great Room above the fireplace.
Weapons hang from the far wall ascending the stairway.
The MacNeil Gathering inside Kisimul Castle August 2014. MacNeil’s from Scotland, Barra, Canada, and the USA stand together
According to the MacNeil Clan Association website: 
“In 1937 Kisimul castle and most of the Island of Barra were brought back into the family when Robert L(ister) MacNeill, a descendant of the 22nd chief, returned from the United States, purchased most of Barra and spent his life restoring Kisimul Castle. His son, the 46th chief, (was) a law Professor and divid(ed) his time between Scotland and the United States.” (Source: http://www.clanmacneilusa.us/?page_id=61 )
SOURCES:
Clan MacNeil — http://www.clanmacneilusa.us/?page_id=61
Historic Scotland — http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_189&PropName=Kisimul%20Castle
PHOTO CREDITS: Dan Leininger (Copyright 2014)
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The castle has since been placed under the protectorship of Historic Environment Scotland. This allows for the perpetual preservation of this site as a Scottish national treasure.
It opens it also to attract thousands of visitors annually to experience the serene beauty of the Isle of Barra ~ the westernmost habitation of the Outer Hebrides.
The beautiful Isle of Barra was (as the local Scots say ) truly a “Barradise” of MacNeil sights and Scottish Heritage. The natural undisturbed beauty makes it a restful where the wash of the waves wash sing you to sleep at night, and the sea gulls gently wake you in the morning.
SOURCES:
- Clan MacNeil — http://www.clanmacneilusa.us/?page_id=61
- Historic Scotland — http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_189&PropName=Kisimul%20Castle
- PHOTO CREDITS: Dan Leininger
