Gylen Castle: A Historic Scottish Tower House on Kerrera Island

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 4.8

Popularity: Low

Country: United Kingdom

Civilization: Early Modern

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Gylen Castle is situated on the island of Kerrera, close to the town of Oban in Scotland. It was constructed in the late 16th century by the Clan MacDougall, a Scottish family with longstanding regional roots.

The castle’s creation dates to either 1582 or 1587, when Duncan MacDougall established it as a fortified family residence, serving as their ancestral seat. This reflects the turbulent period in Scottish history when clans reinforced their power through strongholds on strategic coastal locations.

In 1647, during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, the castle became a focal point of conflict. Covenanter forces led by General David Leslie laid siege to the castle. The assault ended with the castle being set ablaze and its occupants perishing. Following this violent event, Gylen Castle was left unoccupied and gradually deteriorated over the centuries that followed.

By the early 20th century, the structure had become vulnerable to collapse, prompting minor stabilization efforts in 1913. Recognition of its historic value led to its designation as a scheduled monument in 1931. Later, in the 1990s, concerted restoration efforts were launched, supported by significant fundraising from the global Clan MacDougall community as well as grants from Historic Scotland. Archaeological investigations took place in 2002 as part of this restoration project, culminating in the castle’s reopening in 2006.

Remains

Gylen Castle is a tower house built in an L-shaped arrangement, combining a main tower with an attached stair tower. The main section rises to four floors, while the stair tower extends higher with five stories. This design allowed both defensive capability and domestic functionality typical of Scottish tower houses of the era.

The castle complex included a surrounding courtyard and additional utility buildings that supported daily operations. A vaulted passageway runs through the main tower providing access to the courtyard, and a vaulted cellar is reachable on one side, presumably serving storage purposes.

Entry from the courtyard leads directly to the base of a central spiral staircase. This staircase connects all levels within the castle, indicating efficient internal access among living quarters and storage spaces. On the first floor, there are designated areas for a hall and kitchen, spaces intended for both communal gatherings and food preparation. At the level corresponding to the third floor, a distinctive oriel window projects from the façade, adding architectural interest and allowing greater light inside.

Positioned on a rocky headland overlooking the Firth of Lorne on Kerrera’s southwest shore, the castle’s location was naturally defensible and commands views over the surrounding sea. Today, while much of the castle has undergone restoration, its ruins and architectural features remain clearly visible, reflecting the site’s layered history from its late 16th-century origins through to modern conservation efforts.