Lochranza Castle, Medieval castle in Lochranza, Scotland
Lochranza Castle is an L-shaped tower house standing on a narrow peninsula projecting into Loch Ranza. The structure combines architectural details from the 13th and 16th centuries, reflecting different building periods.
King Alexander III granted this castle to Walter Stewart in 1262, and Robert the Bruce landed here in 1306 when returning from Ireland. The building transformed from a rare hall-house into an L-plan tower house over the following centuries.
This castle inspired illustrations in the third Tintin adventure album, The Black Island, when the Belgian artist visited the Scottish coast. The distinctive shape of the tower became part of the character and visual story of that comic series.
The site sits on a peninsula accessible by foot via a path that can flood at high tides. Check tide times before visiting and wear sturdy shoes, as the ground can be wet and muddy.
The castle evolved from a rare hall-house form into a compact tower house, showing how Scottish castle design changed over three centuries. This transformation is still visible in how the building is constructed and arranged.
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