Highlights of Scotland

Kilchurn Castle

Kilchurn castle is built at the tip of a small peninsula at the north side of Loch Awe. The castle is now a beautiful ruin, with great views across tha landscape. Here a bit of information about the castle's history; it's all I've got.

The book Touring guide to Scotland from the Scottish Tourist Board (with about 1300 interesting places to visit throughout Scotland) mentions about Kilchurn Castle:

The keep was built in 1440 by Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, founder of the Breadalbane family. The north and south sides of the building were erected in 1693 by Ian, Earl of Breadalbane, whose arms and those of his wife are over the gateway. Occupied by the Breadalbanes until 1740, in 1746 it was taken by Hanoverian troops. A gale in 1879 toppled one of its towers.
A tourist guide in Dutch I have mentiones these things too. And in the book Scottisch clan and tartan names by Roddy Martine (published in 1987 by Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh and London) I read on page 65--66:
....
The Campbells of Glenorchy (Breadalbane) are descendants of Black Colin of Glenorchy, 2nd son of Sir Duncan of Lowoch, 1st Lord Campbell, by his wife Lady Marjory Stewart. With the dispersal of the MacGregors from Glenorchy, Sir Duncan gifted the lands to his son, who built the castle of Kilchurn. Through marriage to a co-heiress of John, Lord of Lorn, he acquired one-third of the lands of Lorn.
In 1681, the 11th Campbell of Glenorchy was created Earl of Breadalbane. ....
On page 69--70 it says:
.... Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Argyll, has been re-opened. The keep was built in 1440 by Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, founder of the Breadalbane family. ....
About the MacGregors the book says on page 146:
.... At one time they helds lands in Perthshire and Argyllshire: Glenstrae, Glenlochy, Glenlyon and Glengyle. They were relieved of these by the powerful Clan Campbell and consequently resorted to violence, becoming raiders and killers.
....
There is no mention of Kilchurn Castle there, nor of Loch Awe. Kilchurn Castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland. The guide to their over 300 historic sites strangely enough mentions a later date for the building of the castle's keep:
A square tower, built by Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, c1550, it was much enlarged in 1693 incorporating the first purpose built barracks in Scotland. The substantial ruins are some of the most picturesque in the country with spectacular views down Loch Awe.
All in all, I know nothing of before 1440: there might have been a castle of the MacGregors, which was destroyed by Sir Colin and replaced in 1440 by the keep, who knows.

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last modified: 8 March 2000