Gylen Castle, Renaissance tower house in Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Gylen Castle is a stone tower house that sits on a rocky outcrop at the southern tip of Kerrera island, with high walls built in Renaissance style. The structure features multiple levels with robust masonry designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the Scottish coast.
The castle was built in 1582 by the MacDougall clan as a stronghold in the region. It was damaged during a 1647 siege by Covenanter forces led by General Leslie in the broader conflicts of that era.
The fortress served as a symbol of the MacDougall clan's control over this coastal region. Visitors can still see how such strongholds were designed to protect and command the surrounding waters.
To reach the ruins, take a ferry from Oban to Kerrera island and then follow a walking trail along the southern coast. The approach is on foot, but be prepared for uneven paths and potentially rough coastal weather.
The castle contains a vaulted cellar and an oriel window that were carefully restored in 2006 through international funding. This conservation effort preserved architectural details that might have been lost to time and weather.
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