|
Kilchurn Castle is a Campbell Castle built
from the 1400s at Loch Awe, 75 miles northwest
of Glasgow, 2 miles west of the small
village of Dalmally, 22 miles east of Oban next to the
main A85 road to Oban.
The Castle is known for its scenic setting
by Loch Awe with mountains all around.
About 1 mile along the road towards Oban
there is also St Conans Kirk to visit, as well
as the Loch Awe Hotel
and Ben Cruachan
Inn. The Cruachan Power Station
with a visitor centre is 5 miles west along the
road towards Oban.
The Castle can be visited throughout the
summer free of charge. Postcode: PA33 1AF
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click On Map
for area Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The image top is from the half mile long
path from the car park out to the Castle. Very
occasionally high water levels can cover the
path so visits cannot be made. The narrow lane
into the car park can be easily missed as there
are no signs and there are trees either side of
the entrance.
Kilchurn Castle is at the northeastern end
of Loch Awe, third
largest freshwater loch in Scotland after Loch
Ness, and the largest Loch Lomond. It was built
in the mid 1400s for the Campbell's of
Glenorchy who were becoming the dominant Clan
in the area at that time.
1100s - the area around Loch Awe was home to
a number of Clans such as the Campbell's,
Macarthurs, MacGregors, and Stewarts.
1414 - Duncan Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell,
became head of the Campbell's of Loch Awe.
1450? - Kilchurn Castle was the first of
many Castles built for the Campbell's
throughout the Central Highlands of Scotland as
they became the prominent Clan in the area.
Campbell's would become the most notable Clan
that helped Government Forces defeat the
Jacobite's.
The original Castle was a five-storey tower
house, with a courtyard and outer wall.
Before the water levels on Loch Awe were
lowered by a drainage project in 1817, the
Castle was on a small Island accessed by a
causeway.
The original Castle was extended over the
following centuries.
1513 - Duncan Campbell, 2nd Lord of
Glenorchy, was one of the many Scottish nobles
killed at the Battle of
Flodden. This battle took place after James
IV of Scotland declared war on England to help
the French who were at war with England at the
time. The English won the battle with James IV
killed in combat.
1614 - Sir Duncan Campbell (Black Duncan)
had the south range of the Castle rebuilt and
enlarged, also adding a Chapel in the
courtyard.
1688 - King James II Stuart was deposed in
the Glorious
Revolution, becoming the last Roman
Catholic monarch of England, Scotland and
Ireland.
He was succeeded to the throne by the
protestant Mary II Stuart and her husband
William of Orange.
This led to a number of Clans in Scotland
wanting the restoration of Catholic Stuart's to
the throne. These Clans were known as Jacobite's.
These Clans included: Athol Highlanders,
Fraser, MacClachlan, MacClean, MacGillivray,
Mackintosh, Macdonald, and McGregor. Some Clans
had men fighting on both sides.
There were also a number of Clans that
remained loyal to the Protestant Monarchs.
These Clan members were formed into
Regiments such as the Argyll Militia, Black
Watch, and Loudon's Highlanders.
1689 - Sir John Campbell, 5th Baronet, was
involved in negotiating with Jacobite rebels to
try and prevent uprisings in the Highlands. As
tensions rose throughout the highlands, Sir
John converted Kilchurn Castle into barracks to
hold up to 200 government troops.
1715 - Sir John changed sides when he joined
the Earl of Mar's First Jacobite
Rising.
The failure of that Rising led the
pro-government Alexander Campbell of Fonab
taking control of Kilchurn Castle then holding
Sir John under house arrest until his death the
following year.
1745 - Kilchurn Castle was used to house
government troops during the Last Jacobite
Rising.
These Rebellions led to more Government
Barracks being built around the Highlands to
prevent any further wars.
1746 - the Battle of Culloden sees
Jacobite forces defeated by Government troops.
This was the last major battle to take place on
the British mainland.
Many Jacobite's were executed at this time,
with many more forced to emigrate to the
Americas.
1760 - Kilchurn Castle was damaged by
Lightning then abandoned. The turret of a tower
is still in the courtyard where it landed after
the storm.
1783 - America won independence from Great
Britain, leading to Jacobite's and other Scots
accused of crimes from that time being
transported to Australia and New Zealand.
1817 - the water level in Loch Awe was
lowered by a drainage project leading to the
Castle now being on a peninsula.
1882 - the head of the Campbell's took up
residence in their large new built Taymouth Castle
48 miles northeast.
Kilchurn Castle is now run by Historic
Environment Scotland as a tourist attraction
open to the public free of charge during the
summer.
High water levels at times may prevent
visits by walking out from the car park.
|
