Inverlochy Castle is a ruined medieval fortress located near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, approximately 2 km north of the village of Inverlochy and close to the River Lochy. The castle is situated on a strategic hilltop overlooking the historic route between the Great Glen and the western coast.
Construction and Early History
The castle was founded in the 13th century, likely by the Earl of Moray, as part of a network of royal fortifications intended to control the surrounding region. Its initial structure was a stone keep surrounded by a defensive curtain wall.
Clan Cameron Occupation
By the early 14th century, Inverlochy Castle came under the control of Clan Cameron, who used it as a stronghold and administrative centre for their territories in Lochaber. The Camerons maintained the castle until it was seized by royal forces.
Battles of Inverlochy
Two notable battles occurred near the castle:
- Battle of Inverlochy (1431) – A conflict between forces loyal to King James I and a coalition of Highland clans led by Donald Bac of Clan Cameron. The Highlanders achieved a decisive victory.
- Battle of Inverlochy (1645) – Part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, this engagement saw the Royalist army under James Graham, Marquess of Montrose, defeat a Covenanter force, again near the castle’s vicinity.
Decline and Ruination
Following these conflicts, the castle fell into disuse. By the late 17th century it was largely abandoned, and subsequent stone robbing for local building projects accelerated its deterioration. By the 19th century it was recorded as a ruin, consisting mainly of the remains of the keep’s foundations and portions of the curtain wall.
Conservation
Inverlochy Castle is presently under the custodianship of Historic Environment Scotland. The site is designated as a scheduled monument and is accessible to the public, offering views of the surrounding landscape and interpretive information about its historical significance.
Architectural Features
- Remains of a rectangular stone keep of approximately 15 m by 12 m.
- Portions of a surrounding curtain wall, with evidence of a gatehouse entrance.
- Earthworks suggesting ancillary structures and a possible bawn (defensive enclosure).
References
- Historic Environment Scotland – Scheduled Monument Record for Inverlochy Castle.
- Oram, Richard (2000). The Lordship of the Isles: The Rise of a Scottish Kingdom. Edinburgh University Press.
- Grant, James (1995). The Clan Cameron: A History. Birlinn Ltd.
