Why Kilchurn Castle Is One Of Scotland’s Greatest

There are few castles in Scotland as picturesque as Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe. It’s right at the top of Scotland’s most Instagrammable spots, but that’s not the only thing you should visit for. The reason why Kilchurn Castle is one of Scotland’s greatest, is the stories that go along with it.

It is undeniably beautiful though and every year I run a “World Cup of Scottish Castles” on Instagram and it’s always in the final! With the mountains of Argyll rising up behind it and the waters of Loch Awe lapping at its walls, it’s like a postcard. Here’s your guide to visiting Kilchurn Castle and uncovering the stories that make it special.

If a trip to Kilchurn Castle sounds like something you’d like to do with an experienced guide, then send me a message now about booking a Scotland’s Stories tour!

Where Is Kilchurn Castle?

You can find Kilchurn Castle on a tiny peninsula jutting out into Loch Awe, Scotland’s longest freshwater loch. It’s just off the man A85 road from Tyndrum to Oban, near Dalmally and thousands of people drive right past without realising it’s there!

While it isn’t signposted, there is a large car park for Kilchurn Castle before a short walk. Just head underneath the railway bridge and walk out towards the ruins, although it can be a little wet. Keep your dogs on leads since there are sometimes Highland Cows roaming freely here!

Walking up to the castle isn’t actually the best way to see it though. For the iconic view of Kilchurn Castle, across the loch and with mountains in the background you need to head to this point here. This viewpoint is far boggier though and not very accessible so only for those happy with a rough track. Also be aware that this field is almost always full of livestock so be incredibly careful!

How To Pronounce Kilchurn Castle

Just a short note because this is one of my biggest pet peeves. Lots of Scottish placenames are difficult or confusing and understandably, people are confused about how to pronounce Kilchurn Castle. The biggest problem is that some well known Scottish influencers or tour guides are correcting people incorrectly!

The biggest error for most is saying “Kill-Churn” as in churning butter. Next, people tell you not to pronounce the “ch” at all and just say “Kill-urn”, but that’s not right either. A recent mistake has been going around telling people to say “Kill-Hoorn” which is closer but the C is in there for a reason!

The correct way to pronounce Kilchurn Castle is to say “Kill-Choorn” but with the “ch” sound like in loch. It’s tough if you’re not a Scot so don’t stress too much about it, if you have to go with hoorn then that’s ok! The name Kilchurn comes from Caol a’ Chùirn meaning “Narrow of the Cairn.”

History of Kilchurn Castle

The history of Kilchurn Castle goes back the the 1400s, built as a Campbell stronghold. That means it isn’t the oldest castle on Loch Awe, but it’s by far the most visited. The Campbells of Glenorchy were a younger branch of the family but ambitious and clever. They had gained this land through strategic marriages and Kilchurn was designed to help hold onto it.

Originally Kilchurn Castle was a simple five-story towerhouse with a protective wall around a courtyard. While today the dropped water level of Loch Awe makes it a peninsula, back in the 1400s this was an island castle, possibly reached by a causeway. Bet you’re not complaining about a few puddles on the walk there now!

Colin Campbell – Black Knight of Rhodes

One of my favourite stories in Scotland surrounds the builder of Kilchurn Castle, Colin Campbell – The Black Knight of Rhodes. I actually used it to pitch the Scotland’s Stories book! Colin was a famous Crusader and it’s said that he had a terrible dream one night while away fighting. After consulting a priest, he rushed home to Kilchurn Castle to avert tragedy for his family.

Colin arrived to find that his neighbour, the Baron MacCorquodale, had convinced his wife that he had died. They were even due to be married that evening! However, he was dishevelled, dirty and wearing torn travelling clothes, nobody would believe it if he said who he was. The crusader disguised himself as a beggar and was invited into Kilchurn Castle for the wedding as an act of charity.

Now safely past the Baron’s guards, he asked if the lady of the house would serve a drink to this lowly beggar. Happy for any distraction on this miserable wedding day, Colin’s wife agreed. Once the goblet was drained, she heard a clink inside. It was a ring she had gifted her husband for luck when he left!

Declaring to the Campbell clansmen that their lord had returned, the hall of Kilchurn Castle erupted with cheers. Baron MacCorquodale and his men made a hasty exit, with the door slamming behind them. The wedding feast was put to much better use, as a welcome home party.

What Happened to Kilchurn Castle?

So what happened to Kilchurn Castle to leave it as a romantic ruin today? As the power of the Campbells of Glenorchy grew, so did Kilchurn Castle. Turrets were added, new halls built and it was looking grander than ever before!

But the family wanted to move somewhere more central than the wilds of Argyll. Towards the later 16th century, Colin the 6th Lord of Glenorchy moved his base away from Kilchurn to Taymouth in Perthshire. That didn’t mean his old home was demolished though, it was still an important base in an important region.

Then in 1689, with the start of the Jacobite risings, Kilchurn Castle would get a facelift along with a new purpose. Sir John Campbell, the 1st Earl of Breadalbane, realised that the government needed strongholds to help them control the Highlands. He transformed the tower into officer’s accommodation and built a new barracks for 200 soldiers.

While soldiers did use Kilchurn Castle during the 1715 and 1745 risings, it was only temporary. The Campbells tried to sell the castle to the government and were rejected. When a lightning strike damaged the top floor, the rest of Kilchurn Castle was abandoned to tumble into the ruins we have today.

Is Kilchurn Castle Haunted?

A ruin as dramatic as Kilchurn Castle has to have a ghost, I’m sure there’s a rule somewhere about that. The story is that after the fortress had been abandoned and left to the bracken and weeds, somebody else moved in. It was a homeless lady, some say widowed during the ’45, who had nowhere else to go.

She would occasionally make the journey around the shore of Loch Awe to buy tobacco from the stores, picking up the nickname Witch of Kilchurn. Whatever she did in the ruins of Kilchurn Castle, it seems as if she hasn’t left. People visiting, usually late at night, have heard disembodied cries and smelled tobacco smoke.

Kilchurn can be creepy, especially when the sun starts to go down, but it doesn’t quite make this list of the 10 Most Haunted Places In Scotland!

Watch Out For The Loch Awe Monster

While most people visit Inverness to find the Loch Ness Monster, not so many have heard of the Loch Awe Monster! The idea that something dangerous was lurking in Loch Awe is a story that goes back centuries. It was heard more than it was seen, especially on frosty days while breaking up ice as it moved beneath the surface.

There are plenty of similarities with Nessie in that descriptions vary of the beast. One eye witness claimed it had 12 legs and another that it was a huge serpent. Some claim it took the shape of a giant horse so maybe this is one of the legendary Kelpies!

I haven’t seen it myself, but the last sighting of the Loch Awe Monster I could find was in the year 2000. A long neck with a small head poking out the water and a couple of humps trailing behind. Best of all, it was seen from the road not far from Kilchurn Castle so keep your eyes open!

When Will Kilchurn Castle Reopen?

Sadly, like many Historic Scotland properties, the inside of Kilchurn Castle is currently closed off. Fortunately, the best view is from the other side of Loch Awe and you can still get up close and personal by walking on the peninsula. Most people would prefer to visit the inside though and are asking when will Kilchurn Castle reopen?

Unfortunately, I’ve trawled Historic Scotland’s press releases and website without finding any indication. Lots of castles were closed in 2020 until high level masonry surveys could be done to identify any risks. Even those with minor issues have to remain fenced off until they can be completely repaired. With a 600 year old building, that can take some time.

The good news is that lots of Historic Scotland properties reopened again last year. We’re just waiting to find out the priorities for 2024. We can only hope that with how popular visiting Kilchurn Castle has become in the last few years, it will get the attention it needs soon!

If Kilchurn Castle has caught your interest, how about visiting it on a Scotland’s Stories Tour?

Just click this link to make an enquiry and book your private driving tour today!

If you enjoyed learning why Kilchurn Castle is one of Scotland’s greatest, then I think you’ll want to discover the stories behind the iconic Eilean Donan Castle too!

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