Fincharn Castle, Medieval castle ruins on Loch Awe, Scotland
Fincharn Castle is a ruined fortress standing on a rocky promontory at the southwest shore of Loch Awe, with stone walls rising up to 7 meters high and a rectangular plan measuring roughly 12 meters by 5 meters. The protected monument area encompasses the castle structure itself along with surrounding occupation zones that extend some distance from the main walls.
The fortress was built around 1240 and features defensive elements including a door with draw-bar holes and square-headed slit windows positioned at different levels. These structural details were characteristic of medieval fortifications and reveal how the castle was designed for protection.
The name Fincharn comes from Fiannacharn, meaning Fingalians' Mound, referencing a large burial cairn at the nearby farm. This connection shows how the place was linked to local history and the people who lived in the region.
The site can be approached from the shoreline, but paths may be muddy or overgrown depending on the season. Wearing sturdy shoes and allowing enough time to explore the structure carefully is recommended for any visit.
The walls range from roughly 1.4 to 2.1 meters in thickness, suggesting different building phases or specialized construction techniques were used. This variation hints at how the structure may have been repaired or reinforced over time.
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