Kilchurn Castle, Scotland

Kilchurn Castle was built in about 1450 by Sir Colin Campbell, first Lord of Glenorchy, as a five storey tower house with a courtyard defended by an outer wall. Much enlarged in 1693, it incorporates the first purpose-built barracks in Scotland.

By about 1500 an additional range and a hall had been added to the south side of the castle. Further buildings went up during the 16th and 17th centuries. Kilchurn was on a small island in Loch Awe scarcely larger than the castle itself, although it is now connected to the mainland as the water level was altered in 1817. The castle would have been accessed via an underwater or low lying causeway.

Kilchurn was used as a Government garrison during the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite risings. The Campbells attempted, unsuccessfully, to sell Kilchurn to the government, after they moved in 1740 to Taymouth Castle in Perthshire.
In 1760 the castle was badly damaged by lightning and was completely abandoned; the remains of a turret of a tower, still resting upside-down in the centre of the courtyard, attest to the violence of the storm.

The substantial ruins are some of the most picturesque in the country with spectacular views down Loch Awe. The loch is important for waterfowl and a large pike.

Opening Times

The castle is open April to September only.

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Ticket Prices

Disabled Facilities

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More Information

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