The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry | Goblinshead | A comprehensive guide to 4,100 castles, towers, historic houses, stately homes and family lands
The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry | Goblinshead | A comprehensive guide to 4,100 castles, towers, historic houses, stately homes and family lands
The Castles of Scotland
The Castles of Scotland 

Castle Lachlan

Argyll & Dunbartonshire: About 7 miles south-west of Strachur, on minor road and foot north of B8000, on north side of Lachlan Bay in Loch Fyne, south-west of Castle Lachlan.

 

Ruin or site   NS 005953   OS: 55   PA27 8BU

 

OPEN: Castle Lachlan: access at all reasonable times: care should be taken as dangerously ruined.

Web: www.oldcastlelachlan.com

 

New Castle Lachlan: holiday accommodation available and venue for weddings. 
Tel: 01369 860669   Web: www.castlelachlan.com   

 

Church at Kilmorie may be visited.

 

Inver (restaurant)   Web: inverrestaurant.co.uk

Castle Lachlan is an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. Castle Lachlan (© Martin Coventry)
Castle Lachlan is an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. Castle Lachlan (© Martin Coventry)

On a promontory by Lachlan Bay in a very scenic spot, Castle Lachlan is a substantial ruined 15th-century castle, consisting of a thick curtain wall, within which are ranges of buildings, including a kitchen and hall, enclosing a small internal courtyard. The basements are vaulted, the buildings rose to four storeys, and a turnpike stair climbed to the upper floors. There is a small outwork defending the entrance and a large gunloop.

Plans of Castle Lachlan is an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland Castle Lachlan: plans (MacGibbon and Ross)
Courtyard of Castle Lachlan, an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coast of Scotla Castle Lachlan: interior courtyard (© Martin Coventry)

The MacLachlans came from Ireland, where they had been kings of Ulster, but had settled around Loch Fyne by the 13th century, and had an earlier castle here, referred to in a charter of 1314. It may have been on an island in Loch Fyne. Lachlan MacLachlan had a ratification of 1633 which mentions the lands of Kilbride, with the castle and fortalice of the same, and this is presumably Castle Lachlan.

Courtyard, Castle Lachlan is an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coast of Scotla Castle Lachlan: courtyard (MacGibbon and Ross)
Castle Lachlan is an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. Castle Lachlan (© Martin Coventry)
Window of Castle Lachlan, an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. Castle Lachlan: window (© Martin Coventry)

The family supported Bruce in the Wars of Independence, and sensibly were on good terms with the Campbells, helping them subdue the Lamonts in 1646 (see Dunoon Castle and Toward Castle). The clan, however, were Jacobites and fought at Killiecrankie with Bonnie Dundee in 1689. They also took part in the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite Risings. Lachlan MacLachlan, chief of the clan, was killed at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and the castle was attacked by a Hanoverian warship, although it did little damage. Part of the old castle was apparently habitable until 1790. The building is ruinous and overgrown, and work is being done to consolidate the castle.

New Castle Lachlan, near Castle Lachlan, an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coa Castle Lachlan: New Castle Lachlan (© Martin Coventry)

The MacLachlans managed to keep their lands, but the castle was not rebuilt and a new house, (now) a large castellated mansion also called Castle Lachlan [NS 013956] with a dominating battlemented tower and white-washed walls, was built nearby. It is still held by the clan, the MacLachlans of MacLachlan, and the building is currently being consolidated.
  The MacLachlans have a burial aisle at the Old Parish Church at Kilmorie [NS 011952], dating from the 15th century, although now without a roof. There are also interesting burial slabs in the cemetery and a damaged cross-shaft.

Kilmorie chapel and graveyard, near Castle Lachlan, an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on t Castle Lachlan: Kilmorie chapel and graveyard (© Martin Coventry)
Castle Lachlan is an unusual and impressive old ruinous stronghold of the MacLachlans in a beautiful spot on the banks of Loch Fyne, near the new Castle Lachlan and an old chapel, south of Strachur on Cowal in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. Castle Lachlan (MacGibbon and Ross)

The old castle was said to have a brownie or gruagach, which is reputed to have transferred to the newer building and to only be witnessed when housework has not been properly carried out.

New sixth edition in preparation: more than 1,500 additional sites, hundreds more illustrations, comprehensive online maps and indexes, and much much more.

Due for 2024, and still a huge amount of work to do … more info to follow soon.

Check any and all opening and access information with the sites themselves…

Contact

Goblinshead

Cockenzie House
22 Edinburgh Road
Cockenzie

EH32 0HY

 

Email: info@thecastlesofscotland.co.uk

 

Or use our contact form.

Spring is here, Red tulips from Cockenzie House Spring is here…
Print | Sitemap
© Martin Coventry