Kinlochaline Castle

Kinlochaline Castle is a four-story stone tower house sitting at the head of Loch Aline with thick sandstone walls built for defense. The structure displays the compact, solid form typical of fortress towers from the medieval period.

The castle was built in the 15th century and caught fire in 1644 during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms after being besieged by Alasdair Mac Colla. That fire marked a turning point, leaving lasting damage to the structure during a time of conflict.

The Gaelic name Caisteal an Ime comes from a MacInnes Clan woman who paid for the construction with butter measured by the building's volume. This unusual payment method reflects how debts were settled in the Highlands long ago.

The site is best visited during daylight hours and offers views over Loch Aline and the surrounding landscape. Since it functions as a private residence, viewing from the outside is possible but the interior is not open to the public.

During restoration work in the late 1990s, archaeologists found a hidden pit prison inside the tower that had been unknown until then. This discovery revealed details about how prisoners were once held and secured within the fortress walls.