Project Paranormal

As I was up at the Inveraray Highland Games yesterday, I decided to venture slightly further north to visit the stunning Kilchurn Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles.

The castle sits on the north east end of Loch Awe, the 3rd largest freshwater Loch in Scotland.

It was built in the mid 15th century as a base for the Campbells of Glenorchy. They were one of the strongest branches of the Campbells, and they dominated the Central Highlands for 2 centuries from around 1430. 
Kilchurn was the first of many castles that they built while expanding their territory.

In 1432, Sir Colin Campbell was granted the land and he built the castle around 1450. It was his son, Duncan, who added the main dining hall. During the latter half of the 16th century, another Sir Colin Campbell further added to the castle, building chambers. He also built Taymouth Castle in Perthshire due to gaining land. In 1614, a chapel was added by Sir Duncan Campbell, and he also built Finlaig Castle. Sir John Campbell joins the Jacobite Rising of the Earl of Mar in 1715, and after being unsuccessful returned to Kilchurn to find the castle had been granted to Alexander Campbell of Fonab. 

The Campbell’s moved to Taymouth Catle in 1740. The government refused to buy Kilchurn Castle and it was left to go to ruin in the storms.

The castle originally sat on an island within Loch Awe, only accessed by a bridge or a boat, but in 1817, the water level was lowered to allow it to be accessed easier.

Several spirits have been reported here. Voices have been heard inside and outside the castle. People report to feeling watched and uneasy, with one lady claiming a spirit pushed her so hard she fell and broke her ankle. It’s said the castle is haunted by sad, upset spirits, with one female spirit heard screaming for help. It is reported a young child was walled up in the tower. Is it possible this lady is screaming for help in finding her child?

While at the Inveraray Highland Games I had a wander round the Castle gardens.

I was asked yesterday on my FB live if Scotland still has castles that are lived in to this day. Inveraray Castle is just one of many that is still inhabited.

Inveraray is a lovely little village overlooking Loch Fyne. The castle, just north of the village, is also close to Loch Shira, an offshoot of Loch Fyne.

After the Highland games here, I headed to Loch Awe. The Clan Campbell originally built Innes Chonnel Castle on an Island on the Loch back in the 12th century. They went on to become the Earls of Argyll and Dukes of Argyll. 
I only visited Kilchurn Castle at Loch Awe, which was built by a different branch of the Clan Campbell’s.

Around the mid 1400s, Sir Duncan Campbell moved from Innes Chonnel, to Inveraray where he built a new castle, which became the family seat.

The 2nd Duke of Argyll decided that there needed to be a new, more prestigious castle fit for the family. The 2nd Duke died before the castle could be built, but the 3rd Duke implemented the design and build. 
Although the castle was not fully built until 1789, the family moved in during 1770. With the new castle being built, part of the town was moved to accommodate the castle land.

A fire in 1877 damaged the castle considerably. When rebuilding, the Duke requested that the castle’s original shape was retained, but to give the castle a makeover in the Scots Baronial Style. The resulting castle is what can be seen today. 
Another fire in 1975 caused damage inside the castle, and the Duke and his family stayed in the basement while renovations took place.

Since 2001, the 13th Duke of Argyll, the Chief of the Clan Campbell, and his family have lived at the Castle.

Although I didn’t go inside the castle this time due to the time, I have been in previously. There is a large armoury room with swords, muskets and other weapons.

The Castle was used in the 2012 Christmas episode of Downtown Abbey, portraying Duneagle Castle.

Like many Scottish Castle, Inveraray Castle is said to be haunted by many ghosts. There is the spirit of a young harpest who was killed by the duke of Montrose’s men in 1644 who reportedly haunts the MacArthur Room. The grey lady has only ever been seen by the daughters of the Duke of Argyll. It’s said that when a Duke dies, an apparition of the ‘Galley of Lorne’ is seen floating on the horizon. It’s also said that soldiers have been seen near the castle.