Strathclyde - Castles

Remains of a medieval residence, chapel, and later buildings stand on an island in Loch Finlaggan. The 'castle' was the administrative centre of the Lords of the Isles, the chiefs of Clan Donald, from the 13th century until 1493. A modern visitor centre traces the history of Finlaggan and displays artefacts found during excavations.
Finlaggan Road, Ballygrant, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Home of the Lords of the Isles and Clan Donald

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The scant remains of a medieval tower house stand in a spectacular location on an exposed terrace overlooking Kilchattan village and bay. Though it is called a castle, Kelspoke may have been no more than a watchtower.
Upper Reservoir, Kilchattan, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Kilchurn Castle is a picturesque 15th-century tower house on an isthmus jutting out into Loch Awe. Kilchurn was home to the powerful Clan Campbell and controlled access between Campbell lands in Perthshire and Lorn. There are spectacular views of Loch Awe.
Loch Awe, Dalmally, Argyll and Bute, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: 15th century tower house and 17th century military barracks

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Kildonan Castle is a fortified 13th-century tower house at the southern tip of Arran, built by the MacDonalds to guard the Firth of Clyde. Later a royal hunting lodge, the castle was sacked by the English in 1558 and allowed to decay into a roofless ruin.
Arran Coastal Way, Kildonan, Isle of Arran, Arran, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Loch Doon Castle may be the only transplanted historic site in Britain. This intriguing 13th-century fortification consists of an 11-sided curtain wall of great height. The entire castle used to stand on an island in the middle of Loch Doon, but it was disassembled and moved to its current location on the west shore of the loch when a hydro-electric project in the 1930s threatened to submerge its island home.
Loch Doon, Craigmalloch, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Lochranza Castle stands on a narrow neck of land connected to the south shore of Loch Ranza, at the northern tip of Arran. The first castle here was erected in the late 13th or early 14th century, as a rectangular hall house defended by a small tower at the south-west corner.
Lochranza, Isle of Arran, Arran, Strathclyde, Scotland, KA27 8HL

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An impressive tower built about 1478 by Sir George Maxwell, on lands acquired by the Maxwell family through an advantageous marriage in 1402. Sir George's contributions at Newark include a tall tower house in the north east corner of the site and the western gatehouse. James IV stayed at Newark in 1495 on his way to the Hebrides. The castle was later extended and strengthened by Sir Patrick Maxwell, who became laird in the 1580s.
Castle Road, Port Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, PA14 5NH

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Old Castle Lachlan is a ruined 15th-century castle on a promontory jutting out into Loch Fyne. The castle was the traditional seat of the chiefs of Clan Maclachlan and was destroyed by a government bombardment after the clan supported Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rebellion in 1746.
Garbhallt, Cowal, Strathclyde, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: 15th-century castle keep

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This 14th-century stronghold of the Boyd family stands on a rocky headland looking over the Firth of Clyde. Once a resting place for Scottish kings on their way to burial on Iona, the castle was used by Robert II and III, both of whom issued royal charters here.
Portencross, Strathclyde, Scotland, KA23 9QA

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Rothesay Castle is one of the best-preserved early fortresses in Scotland. The castle stands on a picturesque moated site, enclosed by iron railings, in the centre of Rothesay, not far from the ferry port that brings travellers to Bute.
Castlehill Street, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Bute, Strathclyde, Scotland, PA20 0DA

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Heritage Highlight: One of the best preserved early medieval castles in Scotland

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