Kilchurn Castle

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Kilchurn Castle is a ruined castle on the northeastern shore of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute region of Scotland. Originally built as a five storey tower house, show up in the castle almost completely preserved today a series of renovations from almost 250 years of history.

History and Architecture

Colin Campbell of Glenorchy built the first residential tower at about 1420. Unlike many castles of the 15th century Kilchurn Castle had an entrance on the ground floor. Above the entrance was located on the 1st floor of the Great Hall, followed by two levels with different use residential, work areas and bedrooms. The top floor of the attic, on the was the access to the roof and the parapet was located there. The entire facility was surrounded by a wall whose remains are preserved in the southern part until today.

At the beginning of the 16th century was extended with a single storey dining room on the south wall Kilchurn Castle by Duncan Campbell. In the second half of the 16th century added Colin Campbell, 6th Earl of Argyll, in its own building on the north side of the living tower some bedroom added and redesigned the battlements new to the curtain wall.

Towards the end of the 16th century took over the MacGregors of Glenstrae the castle. Originally owned by the lands around Glen Orchy, they were appointed following a marriage with Clan Campbell guardians of Kilchurn Castle. This agreement lasted until the outbreak of a violent feud between the two families at the beginning of the 17th century.

In 1616 let Duncan, 6th Laird of Campbell, build a second floor to the dining hall, expand the entire building to the east and connect to the residential tower. This created additional storage room on the ground floor, upstairs, a chapel was also established.

1681 John Campbell of Glenorchy was appointed the first Earl of Breadalbane He left in 1693 to perform the last modifications: A set of military accommodation units along the north wall and the three corner towers (one of which still stand two ) were built.

Kilchurn Castle had an unusually quiet for Scottish castles history, apart from a brief siege in 1685. John, 1st Earl of Breadalbane, was against Archibald, 10th Earl of Argyll. However, it is believed that this confrontation was due to disagreements within the Clan Campbell.

During the Jakobitenaufstände from 1715 and 1745 government troops were stationed in Kilchurn Castle. The Campbells tried in vain at that time, the castle to sell to the crown after they had already changed their residence after 1740 Taymouth Castle in Perthshire.

1760 Kilchurn Castle was badly damaged by a lightning strike and subsequent fire and then finally abandoned.

On the night of December 28, 1879 fell during the storm, which had brought the railway bridge over the Firth of Tay to collapse, the remaining tower of the castle ruins together.

The castle today

Kilchurn Castle is now looked after and managed by Historic Scotland and is open during the summer months for tours. The castle can be reached by boat from the dock at Pier Lochawe to the A85. Alternatively, there is an approximately 700 -meter-long footpath which starts at a small, non -signposted car park on the northeastern shore of Loch Awe on the A85. However, this walk is not passable at extremely high water levels.

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