Kilchurn Castle

Top choice in Southern Highlands & Islands


At the northern end of Loch Awe are the scenic ruins of the strategically situated and much-photographed Kilchurn Castle. Built in 1440, it enjoys one of Scotland’s finest settings. Even when it's not open, it's worth visiting for the scenic stroll to it. It’s a half-mile walk from an unmarked car park on the A85, just west of the Inveraray turnoff between Dalmally and Lochawe.

The castle is situated on a tiny peninsula guarding the northern tip of the loch. Long held by the Campbell clan, it was enlarged in 1693 to garrison government troops during the Jacobite uprising; it was then abandoned in the 1750s after a fire ran through most of it. Nowadays it’s just a shell, although a very picturesque one. When it's open, you can climb to the top of the four-storey castle tower for impressive views of Loch Awe and the surrounding hills.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Southern Highlands & Islands attractions

1. Cruachan Power Station

3.46 MILES

In the Pass of Brander, by the A85, you can visit this power station. Electric buses take you more than half a mile inside Ben Cruachan, allowing you to…

2. Bonawe Iron Furnace

8.05 MILES

Bonawe Iron Furnace is one of the region’s most unusual historical sights. Near Taynuilt (not Bonawe), and dating from 1753, it was built by an iron…

3. Fyne Ales

9.93 MILES

The friendly folk here do a great range of craft beers in this attractive modern brewery off the A83 9 miles northeast of Inveraray. There's a lovely bar…

4. Inveraray Castle

11.65 MILES

This visually stunning castle on the north side of town has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll – chiefs of Clan Campbell – since the 15th century. The…

5. Inveraray Jail

12.15 MILES

At this entertaining interactive tourist attraction you can sit in on a trial, try out a cell and discover the harsh tortures that were meted out to…

6. Falls of Lora

14.4 MILES

At Connel Bridge, 5 miles north of Oban, the loch joins the sea via a narrow channel partly blocked by an underwater rock ledge. When the tide flows in…

7. Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary

14.53 MILES

Located 10 miles north of Oban on the shores of Loch Creran, Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary provides a haven for orphaned seal pups. As well as seal pools,…

8. Dunstaffnage Castle

16.11 MILES

Dunstaffnage, 2 miles west of Connel, looks like a child’s drawing of what a castle should be – square and massive, with towers at the corners, and…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "scotland/loch-awe/attractions/kilchurn-castle/a/poi-sig/1123775/1318968",
      "destination": "Southern-Highlands-&-Islands",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "region": "Southern-Highlands-&-Islands",
      "position": "superzone"
    }