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History

The great curtain walls followed the rocky contours of the site and were protected by the waters of Loch Ness on one side and by earthworks on the other.  Within the walls were several buildings including domestic accommodation, kitchens and a chapel.  A 16th century tower remains well preserved to this day.  

The castle has had a turbulent and bloody history.  The earliest known laird of the castle was Alan Durward, Lord of Atholl.  He was the brother-in-law of the King of Scotland, Alexander II and had great influence over the young king. 

The castle changed hands often in the conflict between England and Scotland.  In 1296 the castle, along with other neighbouring strongholds, was taken by Edward I.  However, Edward lost control of the castle in 1303 and had to march north again to retake it.  This time Edward held the castle for five years before the English garrison was beaten by Robert the Bruce who then maintained the stronghold for himself. 

The castle stayed in the hands of the Scottish government in the 14th and 15th centuries but was always under threat from English and then, increasingly, the Lords of the Isles.  The  Lords of the Isles had been pushed into the Kingdom of Scotland in 1263 after the Battle of Largs.  They were so determined to win back their freedom that they even sided with the English. 

The castle passed backwards and forwards between the Scots and the Lords of the Isles until the title Lordship of the Isles ceased to exist.  In 1545 the Macdonald clan besieged and plundered the castle and looted neighbouring farms.   Finally, in 1692 the castle was blown up by government supporters to prevent it falling into Jacobite hands. 

Today the ruined castle is a romantic landmark on the shores of the loch.