3-039-096 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Land of Lorne: Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, 1871. 'Where Glenorchy and Glenstrae open together into the basin of Loch Awe, stands the ruined Castle of Kilchurn...It is an object of the greatest interest, especially at this moment, in reference to the noble family of Campbell, henceforth allied by a happy marriage with the Royal family of Great Britain. For this was the ancient seat of the "Knights of Lochow."...It was one of these knights of Lochow or Loch-awe, about 1413, who built the old tower still forming part of the remains of Kilchurn Castle...Hence there is no more significant monument than Kilchurn of the rise of the house of Argyll. "The ruin," observes Mr. Buchanan, "stands at the end of the lake, on a rock which was originally an island...and, though its stones have been outrageously plundered...though every scrap of wood it ever contained has been pilfered and burnt, enough of the old place still remains to spiritualise the whole landscape, a few crumbling walls being enough for the purpose in all such cases. Built originally at the time of the Crusades, and occupied by a British garrison so late as 1745, Kilchurn still abides, and will abide for many a year to come, if not altogether demolished by the hand of man'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.