Ardencaple Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Helensburgh, Scotland
Ardencaple Castle is a castle ruin standing on a plateau overlooking the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. The remaining tower now serves as a navigation aid for maritime traffic on the waterway.
The castle dates to the 12th century and was originally held by the MacAulay clan. Financial difficulties in the 18th century forced them to sell the property to the Campbell clan.
The name comes from Gaelic "Ard na gCapull", meaning "height of the horses". This reflects the area's historical connection to farming and livestock.
The tower is visible from outside and sits on private land, so access is restricted. It is best to view the site from the nearby coastline or from the water.
After being demolished in the 1950s, only the tower was left standing and was repurposed as a navigation beacon. Today it displays green lights at night to guide ships on the Firth of Clyde.
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