This wonderfully atmospheric medieval tower occupies a small island in the centre of Loch Tangasdale, just north-west of Castlebay. The tower dates to the middle of the 15th century, though it stands on a much earlier Iron Age dun.
The tower was built by the delightfully named John the Rough in 1430. It was originally 3 storeys high but the crumbling walls are now only half that height.
Don't imagine a massive medieval fortress; this is a small defensive structure, albeit one in a beautiful location! The structure only measures 2.9 x 2.6 metres interior dimension, and the walls are 1.4 metres thick.
Unless you bring a boat with you, you won't be able to access the tower itself, but the view from the lochside and the road are well worth stopping for.
NB. The castle is sometimes known as Castle Sinclair, An Caisteal, Iain Garbh's Castle, or Castle St Clair.
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About Macleod's Tower
Address: A888,
Castlebay,
Barra,
Western Isles,
Scotland
Attraction Type: Historic Building
Location: Located on a small island in the middle of Loch Tangasdale, north west of Castlebay, on the A888
Location map
OS: NL648996
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
Opening Details: Open access site, usually accessible at any reasonable time
HERITAGE
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
Historic Time Periods:
Find other attractions tagged with:
15th century (Time Period) - castle (Architecture) - Iron Age (Architecture) - Medieval (Time Period) -
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Borve Standing Stone - 1.2 miles (Prehistoric Site) 
Allt Chrysal Ancient Settlement - 1.3 miles (Prehistoric Site) 
Kisimul Castle - 1.5 miles (Castle) 
Dun Bharpa Chambered Cairn - 1.7 miles (Prehistoric Site)
Dun Cuier - 2.5 miles (Prehistoric Site)
Cille Bharra Church - 6 miles (Historic Church)
Pollachar Standing Stone - 11 miles (Prehistoric Site)
Hallan Roundhouses (Cladh Hallan) - 14.7 miles (Prehistoric Site)
Nearest Holiday Cottages to Macleod's Tower:
Nearby accommodation is calculated 'as the crow flies' from Macleod's Tower. 'Nearest' may involve a long drive up and down glens or, if you are near the coast, may include a ferry ride! Please check the property map to make sure the location is right for you.
Glendale, Highlands and Islands
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £988 - 2809
Dunvegan, Highlands and Islands
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £574 - 2551
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