Kilchurn Castle

📌 Dalmally, Argyll & Bute
★★★

🛠️ Site closed for conservation work – southern viewpoint still accessible (checked August 2023)

It’s ruined, romantic and surrounded by stunning Highland scenery: Kilchurn Castle is your quintessential Scottish stronghold. Set on a pocket of land jutting out into the country’s longest freshwater loch, Kilchurn’s dramatic waterside setting rivals that of much more popular (and expensive) Urquhart Castle, although with no facilities. The castle was built in the 15th century as a residence for the mighty Campbell family, converted into a garrison after the 1689 Jacobite uprising. Substantial parts of the walls and towers remain, and it’s well worth exploring all sides (and the steep steps to the top of the main tower) thoroughly to do this castle justice. There’s also an excellent viewpoint accessed from the A819 to the south – see below for access.

🌍 Location

📌 Off the A85 2 mi west of Dalmally

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 133276

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.403690,-5.027404

🚌 Bus stops on A85 near B8077 junction (1 mi)

🚗 For access to castle, use unsignposted car park off A85 at 🧭 NN 139280 / 🛰️ 56.407224,-5.017815. For southern viewpoint, use layby on A819 at 🧭 NN 134272 / 🛰️ 56.400038,-5.024423

📝 Key info

⌚ Daily, April to September. Southern viewpoint always accessible, year-round

🎫 Free

🔗 historicenvironment.scot

💬 From the A85 car park it’s a 15-min walk (each way) to the castle along a stony path & track, prone to flooding from the loch (⬤ Easy). Reaching the southern, lochside viewpoint from the A819 layby involves a 5-min walk on a very boggy path.