The Baalands: Castles

Inveraray Castle and Gardens

On the first day, we stopped in Inveraray for lunch and a quick visit. Inveraray Castle was a moderate walk from town. I didn't have time to tour the castle, but I paid the admittance fee so I could walk around the gardens. It was money well spent. The gardens were incredible.

Inveraray Castle, c. 1741

Inveraray Castle was built in 1741 and is one of the earliest examples of Gothic Revival architecture. It replaced an earlier 15th century castle. The castle has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell, since the 18th century. The castle gained a modern audience when it appeared in a 2012 episode of Downton Abbey.

Welcome to Inveraray Castle and Gardens

Black-eyed Susans

A bouquet of color

Gothic

Geranium

Beautifully landscaped

Welcome to the castle

The crown

Stroll through the gardens

Castle gardens

Old Man's Beard

The path to the castle

White blooms

Site of the 15th century castle

Aray or Inveraray Bridge

Award winning gardens

2024 garden of the year

Another view of the bridge

Through the trees

Inveraray is a small coastal town located on the western shore of Loch Fyne. Our guide recommended we get lunch from the Seafood Shack. It was the first time I tasted langoustines. I was hooked.

Fresh caught seafood

Seafood Shack

The pier

Main Street Inveraray

Road signs

Kilchurn Castle Ruins

Kilchurn Castle is a ruined structure on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe. The original site of the castle was an island. The castle was first constructed in the mid-15th century and was a Clan Campbell stronghold. It contains the oldest surviving military barracks on the British mainland, added when the castle was converted into a garrison stronghold in 1689. British government troops used the castle as a base during both the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite rebellions.

This way to the castle (ruins)

Path to the castle

Kilburn Castle, c. 1440's

In 1760, the castle was badly damaged by lightning and completely abandoned by the Campbell family around 1770. When we visited, the castle interior was closed. It could only be viewed externally.

Closed for conservation

One of Scotland's most photographed castles

Loch Awe

Scotland's longest fresh water loch

Struck by lightening in 1760

There is a picturesque railway bridge along the path to Kilchurn Castle. We had to walk under the bridge to get to the castle ruins.

Duart Castle

Duart Castle was a photo stop. It is a castle on the Isle of Mull, beside the Sound of Mull off the west coast of Scotland. Its location on a rocky outcrop at the end of a peninsula was quite spectacular. The castle dates back to the 13th century and is the seat of Clan MacLean. Unlike most castles, it wasn't acquired via conquest, but rather by marriage (dowry). It was brought back from ruin in 1911. The castle has been featured in many films including Entrapment (1990) with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The late Sean Connery (RIP, 2020) had MacLean ancestry on his mother's side.

Duart Castle, c. 13th century

Castle map

Me in front of Duart Castle

Isle of Mull

Sheep grazing near castle

To the south east of the castle is the Duart Point lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1900, as a memorial to Scottish novelist William Black.

Sound of Mull

As seen from the Ferry

Island Fortress

Castle Stalker was a photo stop. There was only one viewpoint. That was about it. A picture of the castle and a picture with me in front of the castle. No opportunity for creativity. It would have been neat to get pictures from different vantage points and at different times of the day.

Castle Stalker, c. 1320

Surrounded by water

Castle Stalker is a 4-story tower house (keep) that is surrounded by water. It sets on an tidal inlet on Loch Laich. You can get there at low tide (across the mud flats), but mostly people take a boat. The castle gets its name from the Gaelic words for falconer or hunter. Stalker has been in a few movies, including be featured prominently in the 1975 classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

In front of the castle

Castle Stalker served as a strategic stronghold for the MacDougalls, Stewarts, and Campbells. In the 18th century, it fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned. The castle was revived in the 1960's and is privately owned.

Scotland's Most Photographed Castle

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most iconic images of Scotland, dating back to the middle of the 13th century. It is situated on an island at the point where three lochs meet: Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. It is one of the most visited sites in Scotland and was one of the highlights of my visit.

Map of island

£12 entrance fee

Footbridge, c. early 20th century

It was raining when we got there.

Blue skies

The tower

Misty

Bridge across the loch

Backside

The castle was first built in the mid-13th century. Since then, four different versions of the castle have been built and rebuilt as Scottish history unfolded. The castle was mostly the stronghold of the MacKenzie clan and their allies the MacRaes. After the castle was destroyed in the Jacobite rebellion (by the British Royal Navy) of 1719, the castle lay in ruin for almost 200 years. The castle was fully rebuilt between the years 1920 and 1932 and opened to the public in 1955. It is a famous filming location and has been features in movies such as Highland and the World is Not Enough (James Bond).