Inverlochy Castle was built by John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, a rival to Robert the Bruce's quest for the Scottish crown and whom Bruce killed in Dumfries after squabbling. The castle, originally built in the 1200s, more or less square with towers at each corner, would have been surrounded by a broad moat on three sides connected to the River Lochy which would have provided protection on the forth side and more importantly give access to the castle from Loch Linnhe for the lord's birlinns, the traditional West Highland galleys of the day.
Its position had great strategic significance, a fact recognised by the Picts who build a fort here, later destroyed by the Vikings, in the 600s to control access to and from the Great Glen and the Western Highlands.
Don't become confused with local signage for the nearby Inverlochy Castle Hotel whose reputation for being "Scotland's finest luxury hotel" could not be more of a contrast to the ruin of the old castle.
Opening Hours: Inverlochy Castle is free to visit and open year-round
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