Kilchurn Castle

At the head of Loch Awe, the substantial ruins of Kilchurn Castle boasts stunning surrounding scenery with spectacular views down Loch Awe. A four-storey tower built in the mid 15th century by Sir Colin Campbell, 1st of Glenorchy and vastly extended in 1693 it incorporates the first purpose built barracks in Scotland. The Castle was historically a Campbell stronghold was held by the Campbells for 400 years and became a government stronghold in Jacobean times.

In 1760 the castle was badly damaged by lightning and was completely abandoned. The remains of a turret of a tower, still resting upside-down in the centre of the courtyard, is evidence of the ferocity of the storm. In 1951 the Castle was put into the Guardianship of the State and is maintained and administered by Historic Scotland, the title to the Castle is presently owned by Highland Heritage Limited, a local Group Tour Company.

The fabric of the Castle is in unusually good order and access is by a ½ mile walk on a rough path. Historic Scotland has built access stairs and it is possible to climb to the highest towers from where the views are breathtaking. Not often appreciated today is that when built, Kilchurn was on a small island in Loch Awe scarcely larger than the castle itself.