Aros Castle, Medieval hall house near Salen, Scotland
Aros Castle is a medieval stone fortress built on a flat-topped promontory on the Isle of Mull with steep slopes descending to the shore. The structure contains two storeys with remaining walls of a turret projecting from the north side.
The castle was built in the 13th century by the MacDougalls of Lorn and later came under the control of the MacDonald Lords of the Isles. It served as an important administrative point for competing power groups in the region over several centuries.
The fortress served as an administrative hub for different Highland clans who managed their territories across the Sound of Mull. Visitors can trace how clans used this location to maintain control over the surrounding waters and lands.
The castle is located about 9 miles south of Tobermory along the A848 and is accessible during daylight hours. Parking is available nearby, and visits are best planned for clear weather as the slopes around the site can be slippery when wet.
A turret on the north side is buried up to first floor level by masonry, a rare feature that reveals the complex building history. This hidden structure suggests the fortress was modified and reinforced multiple times over its lifetime.
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