Kilchurn Castle

Quaint castle ruins on the northeastern shore of the beautiful Loch Awe, which can be visited for free. The upper observation deck was closed during our visit in May 2018.

Beautiful ruins that are picturesquely set on the shore of Loch Awe. Free Entry. The viewing platform in the tower was closed at May 2018.

Kilchurn Castle is a ruined castle on the northeastern shore of Loch Awe in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland. Originally built as a five-story tower house, the castle, which is still almost intact today, is home to a series of renovations spanning almost 250 years of history.In 1432, Colin, second son of Duncan Campbell (later 1st Lord Campbell), Glenorchy, was granted at the northern end of Loch Awe. This gesture was intended to ensure Colin's loyalty to the sudden death of his older brother Gillespic. Colin's descendants, the Campbells of Glenorchy (later Earl of Breadalbane), were the most powerful of the numerous cadets of Clan Campbell. Indeed, there were times when this branch almost rivaled the clan chiefs, the Earl of Argyll, for supremacy. Kilchurn remained their power base for 150 years. It was not abandoned until the year 1700. The Charter of 1449 Sir Colin Campbell built the castle on 'Elankylquhurne' (Kilchurn Island) before his death in 1475. A charter of 14 March 1449 "Apud Castrum de Glenurquhay" (at the castle of Glenurquhay) confirms its existence to this Time. The castle consisted of a five-story tower house at the corner of an irregularly shaped courtyard. The tower house is still essentially complete and overshadows the rest of the complex. On the ground floor of the tower was a cellar and a prison. There was a hall on the first floor and a private room above. Colin's son, Duncan, the 2nd Lord, added the spawning (lower) hall in the yard before his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The 3rd and 4th Lords both died in Kilchurn, 1523 and 1536 respectively. Colin, the 6th Lord, added the four fine angle turrets on the top of the tower house. However, he was also responsible for relocating the Campbells of Glenorchy to their new home - Balloch (now Taymouth), in Perthshire - before his death in 1583. Thereafter, Kilchurn played second fiddle to the Perthshire Family Residences. Garrison Fortress In the troubled times of the late 17th century, after the fall of the Stuart dynasty in 1689, Kilchurn found a new role. This year, Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, 1st Earl of Breadalbane, retired to his ancestral home. He set about turning it into a garrison stronghold, a project that lasted the better part of a decade. The old tower house was converted into accommodations for the officers who commanded a garrison of 200 men. For this garrison, a specially constructed barracks was built on the north side of the courtyard. The barracks block is still relatively complete and is the oldest surviving barracks in mainland Britain. Little use was made of the garrison stronghold except as an outpost for government soldiers during the Jacobite revolts of 1715 and 1745. Highlights The dramatic situation of the castle - at the top of Loch Awe, with the summit of Ben Cruachan visible; one of the most photographed castles in Scotland.Kilchurn Castle is a ruined castle on the northeastern shore of Loch Awe in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland. Originally built as a five-story tower house, the castle, which is still almost intact today, is home to a series of renovations spanning almost 250 years of history1432, Colin, second son of Duncan Campbell (later 1st Lord Campbell), which granted Glenorchy, at the north end of Loch Awe. Colin's loyalty following the sudden death of his elder brother, Gillespic.
Colin's descendants, the Campbells of Glenorchy (later earls of Breadalbane), were the most powerful of the numerous cadets of Clan Campbell. Indeed, there were times when this branch almost rivaled the clan chiefs, the ears of Argyll, for supremacy.
Kilchurn remain their power base for 150 years. It was not abandoned until the 1700s.
The charter of 1449
Sir Colin Campbell built the castle on 'Elankylquhurne' (Island of Kilchurn) before his death in 1475. A charter dated March 1449 'Apud Castrum de Glenurquhay' (at the Castle of Glenurquhay) confirms its existence by that date.
The castle has a five-storey tower-house at one corner of an irregular-shaped courtyard. The tower house stands still completely, overshadowing the rest of the complex. On the ground level of the tower were a cellar and prison. There is a hall on the first floor and private chambers above.
Colin's son, Duncan, the 2nd Lord, added the laich (lower) hall in the courtyard before his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The 3rd and 4th Lords both died at Kilchurn, in 1523 and 1536 respectively.
Colin, the 6th Lord, added the four fine-angle turrets on top of the tower house. However, he was responsible for relocating the Campbells of Glenorchy to their new home - Balloch (now Taymouth), in Perthshire - before his death in 1583. Thereafter Kilchurn played second fiddle to the family's Perthshire residences.
Garrison stronghold
During the troubled times of the late 1600s, following the overthrow of the Stuart dynasty in 1689, Kilchurn found a new role. Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, 1st Earl of Breadalbane, retired to his ancestral seat. He set about converting it into a garrison stronghold, a project which took the best part of a decade.The old tower house was converted into an officer's command and a garrison of 200 men. For that garrison, a purpose-built barracks was erected along the north side of the courtyard. The barrack block still stands relatively complete, and is the oldest surviving barracks on the British mainland.
Little use was made of the garrison stronghold, other than as an outpost for government soldiers during the Jacobite rebellions of 1715 and 1745.
Highlights
The castle's dramatic situation - at the head of Loch Awe, with the peak of Ben Cruachan visible; One of the most photographed castles in Scotland.

Plenty of parking to see the castle. Easy walk. At certain times of the year the castle is open and you can go inside and wonder its walls.