Castle Campbell

Castle Campbell Details

Castle Campbell, a ruined C15 tower and courtyard of the Campbells extended C16-17. Damaged C17 and abandoned C18.

  • Closest To: Dollar, Tillicoultry
  • Access: Chargeable Public Access
  • Grid Reference: NS961993

Castle Campbell is a picturesque and secluded castle consisting of a 15th century great tower, courtyard ranges and terraced gardens dating to the 16th and 17th centuries. It was built on a steep sided spur between two burns by John Stewart, Lord Lorn, and passed with the marriage of one of his three daughters to the earl of Argyll. It is owned by the National trust and administered by Historic Environment Scotland.

In 1488 Archibald Campbell asked for the castle to be renamed Castle Campbell from its original name, Castle Gloom, which was granted by King James IV. At this time the castle contained a vaulted basement, a tall vaulted first floor hall, and a double vault above with a mezzanine level for the lords accommodation. This was extended with the addition of the large L-shaped block extending to the south and west along two sides of the squarish courtyard. In the Covenanting period, the castle was burned down, and abandoned by the Campbells, who elected to build a new house in Stirling as more convenient to reach the royal court.

Official Historic Scotland page

HES Canmore database entry

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