Scottish Castles of Scotland in Trossachs and Perthshire (original) (raw)

A Castles Tour from Callander

Scotland's castles are rich in their variety, some dating from as early as the 4th century. If you include such as the ancient hill fortresses, then the dates become even more remote. The area around Callander and in Perthshire is particularly rich in castles and a full day's tour of nearby castles makes an interesting and entertaining day out.

Castles of Trossachs, Breadalbane and Strathearn

(Use the link to the castle map to find your way around!)

Callander gives you easy access to a huge variety of castles. There are large castles, small castles, ruined castles, restored castles, some still occupied, and some unoccupied for centuries. Most have fascinating and sometimes gruesome histories. I hope this little article will help you to enjoy a day visiting some of the castles within about an hours drive.

There are of course hundreds of castles worth visiting in Scotland but this page covers only the castles within about an hours drive of Callander. The castles are "castles" in the traditional sense and are described shortly but first I should mention Callander's own less well known military outposts.

The Trossachs and things to see and do

The Roman Camps

There are in fact two "Roman Camps" in Callander, one is a real Roman fort, the other is not (but looks like it might be).
The real Roman Camp is between the old railway track and the river Leny.
Walk up the old rail track from Callander, leaving the main road at the old railway signal on the left about 200 yards after you pass the last shop heading west. The fort is about 1000 yards on the right and is visible as a series of ridges - not hugely exciting, but a genuine Roman Fort. Notice how the Victorian railway engineers cut right through the fort - so much for conservation!

The "fake" Roman fort walk is at the east end of town on the right after passing Bracklinn Rd. It is sign posted on the right just past the second entrance to the Roman Camp Hotel heading south from the town centre. This "fort" takes the form of a long meandering ridge of rocks and soil and is in fact an "esker", which is basically a load of rocks left by a tunnel under a glacier which carried melt water
It may not he a real Roman fort, but it leads to a very pleasant walk by the river on a sunny day.

The Prehistoric fort

Dunmore Fort - is a series of earthen ridges on top of a hill (dun), and can be seen to the north of the A821 (to Brig-o'-Turk) about 1 mile from the junction with the main road at Kilmahog.

Near the top of a small hill on the right after the sharp bend you will see a large rounded rock - Samson's Putting Stone - it was left behind by the glacier which formed the fake Roman camp. The prehistoric fort is to the west of this rock across a burn in the gully.

Access is by a gate and a rough track at the layby at the road junction below Dunmor

A Circular Tour in a Day

Suggestion, Why not print this page as a guide for when you go for a drive!!
If you want to take a good look around, then you probably won't try to"conquer" all of the castles I mention in a single day.

I'll describe a round trip which you can modify to fit your "Castle hunt" in with your other plans. The castles are numbered on the Castle Map.

I'll also mention some other castles which would take up a little more time, either in getting there, or in seeing round some of the larger castles which are open to the public.

A Round Trip

Castles of Breadalbane and Strathearn

Leave Callander on the A 84 and head north-west to Locheamhead. You will travel through Strathyre and pass the old Balquhidder station on the right. After about 12 miles you will find yourself dropping down towards Lochearn.

Edinample Castle

To see Edinample castle, take the unclassified South Lochearn road at the old church just south of Lochearnhead. About 800 yards down this road you will see the rear of Edinample. (1)Edinample castle is privately owned and is not open to the public.
For a more picturesque view, return to the main road, turn right to Locheamhead, right again and drive 800 yds down the north side of Lochearn. You can now see Edinample across the loch

Facts:

• 16th century
• Built by the Campbells (Black Duncan of the cowl) who schemed to have the McGregors proscribed (outlawed) in order to obtain their lands and property
• Derelict by early 1970s but since restored privately
• The mason who erected the castle was pushed off the parapets by Black Duncan in order to avoid payment for his services!

Now go back to the main road, turn right, past Locheamhead and enjoy the drive up Glenogle (Queen Victoria's "Kyber Pass"). Notice the ruined 18th century long houses on the left, and General Wade's road further up near the waterfalls on the left.
The railway over the viaduct was closed by a rockfall in the 60s just before Dr Beeching could get his hands on it!

Go down the hill on the other side of Glenogle and on through the woods to Lix Toll Garage.

Loch Dochart Castle (2)

The castle is inaccessible on an island). If you want to see it, turn left at Lix Toll garage and continue for about 6 miles, just past Benmore farm. Loch Dochart Castle is on a wooded island on loch Dochart on the right.

Facts:

• 16th c tower house, two storeys and a round tower.
• Built by Black Duncan Campbell of the cowl about 1590.
• (He built castles almost as a hobby and owned about 7 or 8)

Now return to Lix toll and continue west to Killin.

If you don't want to see Loch Dochart Castle, turn right at Lix Toll and carry on to Killin.
Take a look at the Falls of Dochart, and if you have time, walk through the gate on the bridge and go down on the island for a few hundred yards to see the Clan McNab burial ground. This is the only land in Breadalbane still owned by the Clan McNab.

Finlarig Castle

Drive east through Killin, and 400 yds past the Killin hotel you will see a bridge on the right over the river. Cross the bridge and in 250 yds, on the left, you'll see a wooded knoll. The Castle is on the knoll.

The picture shows the castle as it is now, when neglect has allowed this great relic of Scotland's turbulent past to fall into ruin.

Finlarig was built in the early 1600s by Black Duncan of GlenOrchy, probably the most feared of the acquisitious Campbell clan. He also built a chapel where the ruins of the mausoleum stand to the east of the castle on the mound. The mausoleum was built by the Campbells ( of Breadalbane) in the early 1800s.

If you walk up to the castle, then face towards the mausoleum ruins, you'll see two gravestones side by side to the left. These stones mark the resting place of the Marquis and Marchioness of Breadalbane - the last of the Campbell line and descendants of Black Duncan - who built this castle and the first mausoleum (also in ruins) behind the graves. (Don't miss the beheading pit to the north side of the castle - grizzly!)

Facts:

• Take care these ruins are dangerous
• Built 1620's by Black Duncan of the cowl
• Two towers, passage past cellars to kitchen
• Beheading pit with beheading block lies behind castle (to north)
• Ruined Mausoleum built by Black Duncan of Clan Campbell circa 1620

Go back to the main road and turn right towards Kenmore. Now you have two choices: See map below.
1. Take the short scenic route by Loch Tay and miss two castles.
2. Take the longer - very scenic route - by Glen Lyon, and include Meggernie and Carnban.

If you want to take the shorter route 1, follow the main road for about 12 miles down the north side of Loch Tay to Fearnan then turn left towards Fortingall. Stop at Fortingall and have a look at the old church and see the ancient yew tree under which Pontias Pilot is reputed to have been born. Wait there and we'll meet you after we drive down Glen Lyon.

If you feel a bit more adventurous (route 2), drive down the main road by north Loch Tay side for about 3 or 4 miles and watch out for a little road on your left, near some bad bends, signed to Bridge of Balgie, or Glen Lyon, or even Ben Lawers. (I can't remember which).

Head up into the mountains, carefully as it's a very steep, narrow road. have a look at the Ben Lawers centre if you have time, then carry on over the pass, (Fionne Larig or White Pass after which Finlarig castle was named). When you get to the other side at Bridge of Balgie, turn left towards the top of Glen Lyon.

Don't go through the big arch on the left as Meggernie Castle is private.

Meggernie Castle (4)

This castle in Glenlyon is private.
At Bridge of Balgie in Glenlyon, pass the big arched gateway on your left, and keep to the main road for a mile or so and you will find a view of the castle on the left of the road.

Facts:-

• Still occupied, not open to the public
• Modern mansion added 20th cent.
• Built by John Campbell of Glenlyon about 1585
• Passed on to Menzies family in 17th century.
• 16th century tower house (west wing

Fictions:

Occupied by a ghost — two halves of a woman, the wife of one of the Menzies lords. He killed her in a fit of jealousy and cut her in half concealing the two halves in a wall. Some time later he recovered the bottom hail and took it out to the family burial ground. Having buried the bottom half, he died of a heart attack thus leaving the top half in the wall.

The top half ghost roams the upper floors, and the bottom half is often seen on the ground floor!

Head back towards the bottom of the glen past Bridge of Balgie.
The next castle, Carnban Castle(5) is a bit hard to find.
From Bridge of Balgie, drive about 4 or 5 miles. Now watch on the left for "Ruskick", then a mile later, again on the left, "Invervar".
About a mile after that the you will see a little pebble-dashed building on the right immediately followed by some bad bends. Carnban castle is above the bends on the left.

Carnban Castle

The castle is three miles west of Fortingall in Glenlyon. It's on the north side of the road above the bends and among the trees. Park your car at the small building past the bends - and walk!

Facts:

• A ruined tower house with gun loops.
• Vaulted basement with gun loops either side of gateway remains.
• Built 1564 by Duncan Campbell the hospitable. He was so generous that he gave all his clothes to a passing beggar. When his wife saw him outside, white and naked she called him a white goose - in Gaelic "Carn Ban"!
• Destroyed by a party of McDonalds from Glencoe about 40 years later using fire arrows.

Near the bottom of the Glen where the road runs close to the river, look to the north and you will see a large mansion called "Chesthill".

This was the home of Robert Campbell of Glenlyon who was the commander of the troops who carried out the infamous massacre at Glencoe in 1691.
Look carefully through the trees to the opposite bank of the river to see a picturesque bridge over a waterfall. It is known as "Roman Bridge".

Carry on down to the end of the glen and turn left to Fortingall with its old churchyard and yew tree.

This is where we take up with those who took the short trip.

After looking at the old churchyard, look across the road and you'll see a single upright stone in the centre of the field. This marks the spot where an old woman with a white horse and sledge took on the task of burying the victims of a plague in the 16th century.

Garth Castle ( 6)

North through Fortingall, past the monument and bridge at Coshieville and at the T junction, turn left.
About a mile up the hill towards Tummel bridge a view of the castle is obtained across the gorge on the left.

The little sketch shows Garth castle as I first saw it some 50 years ago before the trees grew.
Facts:-

• NOT OPEN to the public
• Built by Alexander Stewart - the Wolf of Badenoch, in the14th century
• His enemies were executed by being thrown from the ramparts into the gorge.
• Reputedly haunted by his wife Matiola who he murdered.
• Restored using the existing shell by a well known chocolate maker
  and was used as a lodge for sporting activities.
• Bought in 1996 by a family residing in the USA but who's roots are in Perthshire.
  The owners use Garth as a holiday residence for themselves and friends.

There is no access to the castle from the Tummel bridge road and the presence of a deep gorge
between the road and the castle makes any attempt to reach the castle dangerous .

Please respect the privacy of the owners.

Comrie Castle (7)

Driving east from Coshieville, after about a mile, take the next on the right over a little bridge and Comrie Castle is on your left over the bridge.

This castle is in a private garden.

Facts:

• Not open to the public
• Built 15th century by Menzies family.
• Thought to have been in intermittent use as a
  Menzies home until 1745.
• Menzies family moved to Castle Menzies (The next port of call) after Comrie Castle burnt out.

Go back over the bridge and turn right towards Aberfeldy.

Castle Menzies (8)

Three miles east of Coshieville, one mile west of Aberfeldy and on the north side of the road, you will see the castle across the field.

Facts:-

• The Menzies family (See note at end of page) left Comrie Castle
  after it's burning in 1487.
• They built their next castle at Weem which was totally
  destroyed by Neil Stewart of Garth in the 16th Century.
  Castle Menzies was their next home.
• Bonnie Prince Charlie' stayed here for two nights in 1746.
  Four days later "Butcher" Cumberland stayed I here on his way to Culloden.
• Hugely extended by a new wing, in the 19th century.
• It became derelict after its use by the armed forces during world war II, but has been restored by the CIan Menzies Society.

If you've recovered from that visit and all the stairs we can go on via Aberfeldy to Grandtully Castle.
Continue for ½ mile to Weem. Note the old church on the left which is the mausoleum of the Menzies Clan.

Follow the main road and cross General Wade's bridge to Aberfeldy Main Street.
When you reach Aberfeldy you have three choices, depending on the time:

1. Short way back to Callander. Turn right at Aberfeldy Main St, drive on until you drop down to loch Tay, and turn left at the foot of the hill, just before Kenmore. This lovely little unclassified road takes you back via the south shore of Loch lay to Killin, Locheamhead and then back to Callander.
2. Slightly longer route with 2 more castles. Cross Aberfeldy main street and head for Crieff via the "Sma' Glen". Turn right to Monzie just before the main road at Gilmerton. We'll see you at Monzie.
3. Long way round and 5 more castles. Turn left at Aberfeldy Main Street and follow this road (A822) for about 21/2 miles then watch for Grandtully Castle (9.) on your right.

Grandtully Castle

Facts:

• Privately owned and no public access.
• A 16th century tower house. Built by the Stewarts.
• Used by Earl of Mar in 1715 and by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the '45.
• Abandoned late 19th century and then restored in the 1920s.

Carry on past Grandtully Castle and stay this side of the river until you meet the A9 just north of Dunkeld. Turn right to Perth. Continue for about 12 miles until you come to a roundabout just short of Perth.
Turn right onto the dual carriageway Perth by-pass.
After ½ mile or so take the next exit from the by pass and turn right towards Crieff. After a few hundred yards on the right you'll see

Huntingtower Castle (10) .

Facts:

• Built by the Ruthven family and named "Ruthven Castle".
• Originally 15th C keep Then 16th C tower-house built nearby but not touching. Connected by a new range of 3 storeys late 16th Century
• Renamed Huntingtower after forfeiture due to the "Gowrie conspiracy", a plot to murder King James VI.
• A daughter of the 1st Earl of Gowrie is reputed to have escaped a compromising situation with a gentleman friend by leaping the gap between the towers.
• Haunted by "My Lady Greensleeves"
• Open all year (not Thursday PM or Friday in winter)

On the main road west from Perth (A85) continue towards Crieff passing the road to Almondbank on the right. About 2 miles after this, watch out for

Methven Castle (11)

is on raised ground to the right of the A85 east of Methven. This is about the only view of this castle.

Facts:

• 17th century tower house of 5 .storeys.
• Property owned by Stewarts of Atholl in 15th century, but forfeit to the Scottish crown for treason in 1427.
• Used as a dower house by Margaret Tudor, wife of James IV of Scotland, who died here in 1540.
• Restored 1950s & 1980s and is still privately owned and occupied.
• No public access.

Continue on this road for about 9 miles to Gilmerton.
If you want to skip Monzie Castle (12 ) Drumond Castle (13) and return to Callander, continue on the A822 to the main road (A85) through Crieff and go to [St Fillans](scottishcastles.htm#St fillans) .
At Gilmerton, turn right on the A822 and then watch out for an unclassified road on the left after about 200 yards.

As you drive round this minor road, watch your left through the trees for the Castle of Monzie (pr: Mow-nee)

Monzie Castle

Facts:

Monzie Castle is a large castellated mansion which incorporates a small early 17th-century L-plan tower house, much extended and remodelled in 1791. It was a property of the Campbells from early times until 1869, when it was sold to the Johnstones of Lathrisk.

• Privately owned. Still occupied and occasionally open to visitors. (Watch for signs)
• Small 17th century tower house, Id) which the 19th century owners added a vast mansion.
• Burnt out then restored around 1908 by Sir Robert Lorimer, after being burned out, and is now held by the Crichtons

Open 15 May-13 Jun, daily 14.00-17.00

Continue on this road, watch on the left for the distillery (which is open to visitors) and stop when you get to the main road.

(If you want to return to Callander now, turn right here and go to [St. Fillans](scottishcastles.htm#St fillans) .
One more castle remains on this trip - Drummond Castle (13).
To get to Drummond Castle, turn left towards Crieff.
As you come into Crieff you will pass a landscaped park on the right and then the main road forks. Take the right fork (A822 towards Muthill) and follow this for ½ a mile until you cross a ridge and pass a visitor centre on the right.

Drummond Castle

The access to Drummond Castle is on the right, two miles from Crieff, travelling towards Auchterarder.

Facts:

• Gardens only are open in the summer.
• 15th C. five storey keep with 17th C. lower extension.
• Ancestor Malcolm Drummed given these lands for service at the battle of Bannockburn.
• Earliest castle built 15th C.
• Cromwell "ruined" the Castle in the l650s.
• Lands forfeited after the '45" as punishment for supporting the Jacobites in 1745 rising.
• The castle passed ultimately to Earl of Ancaster. (Still owned by the same family).
• Restored in 1822.
• Drumrnond Castle was a star of the film "Rob Roy".

There are two ways back to Callander from here:-

1. Continue on this main road (A822) until you reach the A9, (Perth to Stirling road). Follow signs towards Stirling and watch for slip road to Doune and Callander. Bye!!!
2. Return to Crieff and follow signs for Comrie (ASS) then St Fillans.

Peculiar to Relate

As you enter St Fillans from the east, look for a little road on your left. This is an interesting alternative to the main road to Locheamhead, even though it takes a little longer. If you take the road on the left, after about three miles, watch out on the right for an inscribed stone near to a little bridge.
James Stewart of Ardvorlich had been at odds with some several of the neighbouring clans but had always managed to avoid them. He died peacefully in bed but some of his enemies, possibly Grahams or MacGregors swore to desecrate his body on its way to burial at the family burial place at Dundurn, near St Fillans.
The funeral procession, having left the Stewart home at Ardvorlich house, were forewarned and buried their chief in a shallow grave where he was left for several years until better times. He was then safely buried in the proper place.
This stone marks the spot where his body was hidden.

Further up the road on the left is a similar stone near to Ardvorlich house. Seven MacDonalds raided Ardvorlich when the Stewart men were away, but were killed when the Stewarts returned unexpectedly.
The MacDonalds were buried without ceremony. The stone marks the spot where their bones were found when this road was being built.
And so onward to pass Eninample Castle after which turn left for Callander and something to eat.

Other castles worth visiting.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is well known and worth visiting, but there are lots of other castles you could visit during a day out. See more on the Stirling page

Here are some which are reasonably placed and which are worth a visit.

Kilchurn Castle

Facts:

• Very picturesque on a promontory on Loch Awe.
• 15th C. largely ruined but plenty remains intact and worth exploring.
• Keep and garret with corner towers
• Lands originally owned by MacGregors who were ousted by the Campbells who built this and many other castles.

How to get there: North from Callander via Glenogle then to Tyndrum. Left after Tyndrum to Dalmally. Kilchurn is just past Dalmally on the left.

Doune Castle

Facts:-

• Two towers linked by a range of lesser buildings in a courtyard
• Many interesting features remain.
• Built by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany in 14th C.
• Boasts 'Mary Queen of Scots room '
• Used as a prison by the Jacobites in 1746
• Restored late 19th C.
• Open all year except Thursday PM & Fridays in winter.

How to get there:
Drive south from Callander for about 8 miles. Take first left after 30 limit sign at Doune. Drive slowly through the town and at the far end (Not in Castle View), see signpost on your right

Castle Campbell

Facts:

• 15th C. 4 storey keep at one corner of a courtyard.
• Vaulted basement. stairs within the walls.
• Owned by Colin Campbell. 1st Earl of Argyle in the15th C.
• Occupied by Cromwell 1653 and burned in 1654.
• Also known as Castle Gloom
• Pleasant walks in grounds and up the burn.
• Open all year but in winter, shut Thurs PM & Friday.

How to get there: Drive to Stirling, then follow signs for Alva & Tillycoultry. At Tillycoultry, continue East following signs for Dollar. At Dollar, turn left for Castle Campbell.

Loch Leven Castle

Facts:

• Situated on an island. Access by small boat.
• 5th C. keep of five storeys in a 14th C. Courtyard.
• Since 13th C. has been used to imprison the nobility, including Archibald. Earl of Douglas in 1430s, Patrick Graham, Archbishop of St Andrews in 1477.
• Most famous as the prison of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1567, and for her escape in 1568.
• Open summer months only.

How to get there:

See previous directions for Castle Campbell in Dollar. Go to Dollar, then follow signs for St. Andrews. Head for Kinross. When you reach Kinross, the Castle is sign posted on the left about hallway down the main street.

Comment regarding the name 'Menzies' Back to Castle Menzies

The following comment was received from a visitor to this website and has been placed here with her consent.

The name Menzies would appear to be of Norman French descent (although there is another school of thought that suggests Scots Gaelic). Nevertheless, the 'z' in the name was introduced by German printing presses after the late middle ages. The sound represented was originally written with a 'yogh' (rather like a long z) and gave the 'ng' sound. Where yogh would have been used can also be seen in the name 'Dalzell (pronounced 'dee-ell').However, the Z import into the name has been interpreted as a 'z' sound and given the very prescriptive nature of written and spoken language in the British Isles (and due to the frequent advertising of 'John Menzies') the name has been Anglicised with pronunciation of the name as it is spelled. Thus, the name should be pronounced 'ming-ess' or 'ming-ees'....with the 'ng' sound still in tact.Hope this is of use,
Best Wishes,
Janet Menzies

Text and drawings © Alistair Reid

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