Inverlochy Castle, Medieval castle in Highland, Scotland
Inverlochy Castle is a medieval fortress in the Scottish Highlands built with a quadrangular layout featuring four round towers linked by thick stone walls. It sits near the River Lochy at the entrance to the Great Glen valley.
The fortress was built around 1270 by John 'Black' Comyn to control the southwestern approach to the Great Glen passage. This location gave whoever held it power over a crucial route through the Highlands.
The structure reflects medieval Scottish military architecture and how people adapted defensive building methods from other regions. Today, visitors can see how the thick walls and towers once protected an important passage through the Highlands.
The ruins remain open to visitors year-round without needing advance booking or guided tours. Be prepared for muddy ground and water around the site, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
The site is surrounded by water on three sides fed directly from the River Lochy, leaving only one approach for entry. This watery defense was an ingenious way to add protection without building additional walls.
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