Cairnburgh Castle

Cairnburgh Castle is a medieval fortress spread across two small islands, Cairn na Burgh More and Cairn na Burgh Beg, near the mouth of Loch Tuath. The ruins reveal a barracks building, a chapel, a courtyard, guard-houses, and a water supply system arranged across both landmasses with separate defensive features.

The fortress traces its origins to a Viking-era settlement called Kiarnaborg, first recorded in 1249 when the MacDougalls of Lorne ruled the region. It remained a strategic checkpoint controlling maritime routes through this part of medieval Scotland.

The fortress served as a vital link between military and religious centers in medieval Scotland, with connections to nearby Iona. Visitors can see how these two aspects of life were deeply intertwined in the structures that remain standing today.

Reaching the fortress requires boat transport, and weather plays a big role in whether trips run smoothly or need to be postponed. Visitors should pack warm and sturdy clothing, as conditions on and around the water can be unpredictable.

The fortress once sheltered valuable manuscripts from the island of Iona before their destruction during Cromwell's occupation. This hidden chapter reveals how the military stronghold also served as a refuge for religious treasures.