This is quoted from the sign and display in Kilchurn Castle’s great hall.
“The tower-house is the earliest surviving part of the castle, and would have been the residence of its builder, Sir Colin Campbell, 1st laird of Glenorchy. When first built, sometime between 1440 and 1460, the principal means of access would have been through the door to your right, reached up a flight of steps from the courtyard. This led directly into the hall, or large dining room…
"Few of the original features of the 15th-century hall now survive, and the reconstruction of it can therefore be only speculative. All trace of the great fireplace has now gone. But in the far wall, the position of four doorways can still be seen. The outer two of these opened into small closets or chambers, each barrel-vaulted and provided with a latrine; the latrine for the one to the right was entered through the door next to it, and up a short flight of steps. The left hand centre door led down another flight of steps into the cellar below. It was probably up this stair that food and drink were brought in the hall.
"The upper floors of the tower were reached by a staircase inside the right-hand wall, which was entered through a now vanished door somewhere to the right of the principal entrance. At second-floor level there were two chambers, from which separate staircases led up to another two on the third floor, and (after 1550) another two in the garret below the pitched wooden roof.
"The tower-house would have been too small to have accommodated any more than the owner and his immediate family. Between 1475 and 1575, therefore, Sir Colin’s son, Sir Duncan Campbell, built a more spacious hall in the courtyard below, to which other buildings were later added."
The mountains surrounding the castle are gorgeous and green.
When Kilchurn was built, it was on an island barely larger than itself. This information was discovered on a map from the 1500s. Later, the level of the loch was lowered. I can see how this would be true because we had to walk through water a few inches deep to get there. Later, after a huge rain storm, we were certain it would've been difficult to visit the castle at all without tall wellies.
During the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite Rebellions the castle was a government garrison. The Campbell family left the castle in 1740 and moved to their estate in Perthshire. In 1760 lightning damaged the castle and it was abandoned. Above you can see the top of the tower where it fell off (or was knocked off by lightning) and landed upside down in the courtyard.
View from the top of the castle tower out over Loch Awe.
The great hall.
More views from the top. This one shows the barracks.
Nicole
www.nicolenorth.com
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Just beautiful, Nicole. Possibly my favorite romance ever, Child of Awe by Kathryn Lynn Davis, was written around the Campbells of Loch Awe. It was a 1980's book, but still my fav. It was nice seeing pictures of the loch.
GREAT BLOG!!!
Gorgeous pix! So enchanting. I can see why you love it so. :) Thanks for sharing these.
Nicole, thank you. These photos are absolutely gorgeous. You have a talent for taking beautiful photos. I could almost feel like I was there with you...I know, I was in your pocket so guess I was. Looking forward to seeing more photos soon.
Thanks for sharing your photos! I'd love to go visit someday.
Great pictures, Nicole! Thanks for sharing!
The Scot's ingenuity never ceases to amaze me. Such a creative and "survive no matter what" people! Thank you for another wonderful trip to Scotland. *sigh* I miss it SO!
Miriam, thanks! I'll have to look for that book.
Tess, thanks for checking it out!
Cameo, thanks! Yes it is truly enchanting. I can't get over how breathtaking the scenery is.
Thanks Paisley! I'm a nut about taking pics! Hope you enjoyed the view from the pocket. :)
Janie, thanks! I hope you do get to visit Scotland one day soon! It's well worth it.
Natasha, thanks for checking it out! I'm glad you liked them.
That's true, Maeve! Scots are survivors and obviously very tough. I hope you get to return soon! Thanks!
Great photos! I love Scottish castles. After seeing your pictures, Kilchurn is high on my to see list when I go back.
Thank you!
Hi Nicole, thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures. My daughter and I sighed and gushed over them. She wants to go to Scotland so bad she can taste it.
That first picture is simply breathtaking! Awesome pictures, Nicole!
holy wow, what great photos!
Thanks Helen! You won't regret it. Kilchurn is an incredibly beautiful and atmospheric place. Make sure to wear waterproof shoes just in case you have to walk through deep puddles.
Debby, I hope you both get to visit Scotland! You will fall in love with the place even more.
Thanks so much, Esme! I'm glad you liked them!
J.K. thanks tons!!
Love that mystical 1st picture! Talk about capture the imagination. The beautiful photos (especially that staircase) and the history send chills up my arms. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Built "on an island barely larger than itself" reminds me of today's house construction.
Julie, I'm glad you liked the pics! It's wonderful to learn the history of a place and think about who lived there.
One of my favorite castles! Thanks for the updated photos, Nicole. I love it!
Lovely pictures, Nicole! Thank you.
Alexis and Gerri, thanks so much for checking them out!!