Culcreuch Castle
P3
Culcreuch Castle
Culcreuch Castle is a late medieval Scottish castle near the village of Fintry at Loch Lomond. It was since 1699 the residence of the barons of Culcreuch and was converted in the 1980s into a hotel.
History
Culcreuch Castle was built in 1296 by Maurice Galbraith. The castle was 1320-1624 seat of the Clan Galbraith, then it was sold to the cousin of Alexander Seton Gargunnock to settle a financial liability. In 1632 it was purchased by Robert Napier, a younger son of John Napier, 8th Laird of Merchiston. The Clan Napier held the estate for five generations. The castle was used in 1654 Oliver Cromwell to house troops. In 1796 the castle was sold to Alexander Spiers of Glasgow, who built a cotton mill and a distillery in Fintry. In 1890 it was sold to JC Dunwaters, 1901, to Walter Menzies. It was passed in the 1970s in the hands of Hercules Robinson, the last of the line of Menzies. In 1984 it was sold to Arthur Haslam, who transformed the castle into a hotel. 2007, the ownership was transferred to a holding company in Los Angeles, the property is now managed by Robert Reynolds.
Shaping
Culcreuch is a rectangular tower house, with three storeys and attic, covered by a parapet and slate roof. The northern and eastern extensions of the actual tower was added in 1721 by the Napier and match the original tower.