CASTLES ON LOCH AWE
Nearly everyone knows about Kilchurn Castle, but not many people know that there
are four castles on Loch Awe, as well as a suspicion that there might have been a Castle
near where Castle Farm now stands. There was also a castle at Achallader, at the head of
Glen Orchy. |
Innisconnel Castle |
Fincharn Castle |
The four castles on Loch Awe are, from north to south, Kilchurn, Fraoch
Eilean, Innisconnel, and Fincharn. They were once served by boats, probably galleys - the
island near Innisconnel is Innis-Sea-Rhamach, the island of the six-oared galleys. |
| Kilchurn was built, probably in 1437, by Sir Colin Campbell, the First
Laird of Glenurquhay. Fraoch Eilean is a 13th century Hall House with a defensive wall,
granted to Gillechrist MacNachdan by Alexander III in 1267. Innisconnel was built by the
Campbells of Argyll, then taken by the MacDougalls, and finally granted again to the
Campbells by Robert I, The Bruce, whom they had helped in his battles. Fincharn Castle is
probably 13th century. The legend is that it was burned down shortly after being built in
a quarrel between rival families, and was never really inhabited afterwards. Only Kilchurn
is easy of access. Fincharn requires permission from the farm, while Fraoch Eilean and
Innisconnel need boats. |
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