Old Lachlan Castle: A Historic Scottish Clan Stronghold

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.oldcastlelachlan.com

Country: United Kingdom

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Old Lachlan Castle is situated in the municipality of Cowal, in present-day Scotland. It was constructed in the 15th century by Clan Maclachlan, a family that traces its origins to Lachlan Mor, a chief from the 13th century whose ancestry reaches back to the Irish prince Anrothan O’Neill of the 11th century. The lands on which the castle was built were first officially recorded in 1314 under the name “Castlelachlan.”

Throughout the late medieval and early modern periods, the castle served as the principal residence of the Maclachlan chiefs. The clan maintained ownership under royal charters, including a significant confirmation granted to Archibald MacLachlan in 1574, and in 1680 their estates were raised to a free Barony, reflecting their standing in Scottish society. The Maclachlans were fervent supporters of the Jacobite cause, taking part in several key battles such as Killiecrankie in 1689, Alford in 1645, and most notably Culloden in 1746. During that last confrontation, Lachlan MacLachlan, the 17th chief, died leading his regiment.

After the Jacobite defeat, Old Lachlan Castle was struck by government artillery in 1746, which forced its abandonment despite only minor structural damage. In 1749, the clan’s lands were restored thanks to the efforts of the Duke of Argyll. The castle was replaced by New Castle Lachlan in 1790, after which the old fortress fell into ruin. Conservation efforts began around the start of the 20th century and have continued into the 21st, aimed at stabilizing the ruins and preventing further decay. The site is recognized as a scheduled monument and holds Category A listed status to preserve its historical importance. Close by lies Kilmorie Chapel, a medieval church and traditional burial ground for the Maclachlan chiefs, underscoring the clan’s enduring local presence.

Remains

Old Lachlan Castle occupies a rocky outcrop along the northern edge of Lachlan Bay, overlooking Loch Fyne. The ruins reveal a roughly rectangular castle, approximately 21 by 16.5 meters in size and standing about 13 meters tall in its original form. Its orientation runs from northwest to southeast and is enclosed by a single surrounding wall featuring one entrance, designed for defense and control of access.

Inside, the castle was divided into two main wings separated by a narrow central courtyard measuring roughly 3.8 by 10.4 meters. Access between floors was provided by a spiral staircase located on the courtyard’s northern side. The southwest wing contained vaulted cellars below, including the southernmost cellar identified as a kitchen, topped by a large hall reached by an internal stair on the wing’s southern end. Opposite, the northeast wing was reserved for private chambers and living spaces, indicative of a separation between public and private functions within the castle.

Stone was the primary building material; walls and vaulted cellars display traditional masonry techniques characteristic of the period. Many original doorways, windows, fireplaces, and staircases were closed off during early 20th-century reinforcement works intended to slow deterioration. Although the castle was hit by government cannon fire in 1746, the damage was relatively limited. Since then, the structure has weathered gradual decay but remains fundamentally intact. Present-day conservation, carried out by the Lachlan Trust under Clan Maclachlan’s stewardship, focuses on halting further erosion and securing the ruins, maintaining the castle as a valuable link to its historical roots and its role in Scottish clan heritage.