Lochaneilean Castle

Lochaneilean Castle is a small ruined complex on an island in Rothiemurcus just south of Aviemore. Originally the lands here were held by the Bishops of Moray, who rented them out to the Shaw family, and it is likely the Shaws were responsible for building the hall-house which occupies the southern side of the island and dates to perhaps the 13th century. Later a rectangular tower-keep was added to the north-west corner, and a courtyard wall was built connecting the two at a later date.

During the 16th century the castle became abandoned, largely as the result of a legal dispute which resulted in the dispossession of the Mackintosh tenants, who raided the estate repeatedly in revenge. By the 17th century the castle was in ruins, but a long garrison building was erected on the eastern side, farthest from the shore. This was briefly occupied during the Jacobite period, but the restrictions of the site made it uninhabitable really, and it was soon abandoned. The castle remains the property of the Rothiemurcus estate, and is not considered accessible to the public.

Official Rothiemurcus website

HES Canmore database entry