Strathclyde - Castles

Aros Castle is a ruined 13th-century hall house on a rocky promontory north of Salen. It was built by the MacDougalls of Lorn but later passed to the MacDonald Lords of the Isles before being granted to the MacLeans of Duart and, eventually, the Campbells of Argyll.
Aros Mains, Salen, Isle of Mull, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Remains of the 13th-century hall house

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Bothwell is the largest and finest 13th-century stone castle in Scotland. Much of castle dates from 14th and 15th centuries, but part of the original circular keep survives.
Castle Avenue, Bothwell, Uddingston, Strathclyde, Scotland, G71 8BL

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Heritage Highlight: 13th century donjon tower

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Cadzow Castle stands above Avon Water, overlooking Chatelherault Country Park, a remnant of a medieval hunting park. The castle dates to the 12th century, though it stands on a site probably used as a hunting lodge by the kings of Strathclyde centuries earlier. Cadzow was an occasional royal residence for kings going as far back as David I (1124 - 1153).
Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Carnasserie Castle is a late 16th-century tower house guarding the northern approach to Kilmartin Glen. A combination fortress and residence, the castle boasts some excellent architectural details.
A816, Kilmartin, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Motorists passing along the A828 between Creagan and Ballachulish, on the rocky coast of Argyll, cannot fail to notice the romantic outline of Castle Stalker, situated on a small islet in Loch Laich. The castle dates to the early 14th century and was begun by the MacDougalls, Lords of Lorn.
A828, Portnacroish, Strathclyde, Scotland

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The ruins of a late 11th or early 12th-century castle built by Suibhne, lord of Argyll, stand on a rocky knoll in southern Knapdale. Castle Sween changed hands multiple times over the medieval period, passing in turn from the MacSweens to the MacDonalds, to the MacNeills, and the MacMillans. The MacDonalds recaptured Sween in 1647 and slighted the castle, making it uninhabitable.
Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Possibly the oldest stone castle in Scotland

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A 12th-century castle mound, or motte, close to the south bank of the River Clyde. The motte is about 75 feet in diameter at the base, rising to just under 11 feet high, with a wide, flat top measuring 45 x 38 feet. The motte was originally surrounded by a wide ditch, but this has been filled in by farming, and the road which runs close to the south-west corner of the site.
Cornhill Road, Wolfclyde, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: A good example of a small Norman motte

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Craignethan Castle is an early 16th-century castle associated with the novels of Sir Walter Scott. It is based around a tower house built by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart (see Cadzow Castle). Craignethan is notable as one of the finest examples of early artillery defences, including a caponier, or stone vaulted artillery chamber.

Crossford, Strathclyde, Scotland, ML11 9PL

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Crookston is an intriguing site; there may have been a circular Dark Ages enclosure here, possibly a fortified settlement, but this was superseded by a ringwork defence of earthen banks, built by Robert Croc around 1180. Croc, whose name is remembered in the current 'Crookston', built a private chapel within his earthworks, and foundations of the chapel have been unearthed.
170 Brockburn Road, Pollok, Strathclyde, Scotland

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A conical motte, or mote, surrounded by a wide bailey enclosure, built around 1200 by Thomas Colville Le Scott. No structures survive, but the mound is extremely well preserved.
High Street, Dalmellington, Strathclyde, Scotland, KA6 7QZ

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Heritage Highlight: Very well preserved early medieval motte

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