Kilchurn Castle

Kilchurn Castle is a ruin on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe, featuring a five-story tower house with circular corner turrets. The site originally comprised multiple building complexes arranged around the main tower, which served as the residence and fortress center.

Sir Colin Campbell built this fortress in 1450 as the power base for the Campbells of Glenorchy, who controlled central Highland territories. The castle was expanded over the centuries and served as an important family seat until the 18th century.

The castle appears in several paintings by J.M.W. Turner, who captured its silhouette against the Scottish mountain landscape. Turner visited the area multiple times, making the structure an iconic subject of British Romanticism.

You can visit the ruins from April through September, reaching the site via a path that connects to the former island. The terrain is uneven and often wet, so sturdy footwear and weather protection are recommended.

A lightning strike in 1760 damaged the structure severely, leading to the removal of its roof and the gradual abandonment of the site. This dramatic event marked the transition from active fortress to romantic ruin.

Location: Argyll and Bute

Location: Glenorchy and Inishail

Inception: 1450

Website: https://historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/kilchurn-castle

GPS coordinates: 56.40370,-5.02740

Latest update: December 17, 2025 08:50