Inverlochy Castle Ruins, Fort William, United Kingdom

Inverlochy Castle was built around 1280 by the powerful ‘Red’ Comyns, lords of Badenoch and Lochaber, to command the southern end of the Great Glen. The site of two battles, the castle remains largely unchanged since its construction.

The moat that surrounded the castle has long gone but the location at the western end of the Great Glen and natural defensive postion against the River Lochy gave Inverlochy castle a superior advantage. The old Military Road built by General Wade passed right by the castle and can still be followed back in to Fort William.

Inverlochy Castle last played a part in Scottish and English history during the Civil Wars of the 1640’s. In 1645 the royalist Earl of Montrose routed the roundhead forces of the Campbell Chief Duke of Argyll at the second Battle of Inverlochy.

In 1654 the Castle was abandoned in favour of a large timber fort built nearby by Oliver Cromwell which in 1690 was then replaced by a stone fort named “Fort William” after King William III. The town which grew around it was named Maryburgh after the Queen, Mary II, though eventually it took the same name as the fort.

In 1836 a new Victorian, chateau-style Inverlochy Castle was built in nearby Torlundy by the Hobbs familiy. This has since been converted into a luxury hotel.

References:

Inverlochy Castle

User Reviews

Matt Griffiths (12 months ago)
It's more of a negative space and than anything else. You'll have to imagine long fallen walls and where the floors were. For that alone I quite enjoyed it. It's a 30 minute walk along a nice path from Fort William center. There's a little car park nearby if you want to park up though.

Russell Marchant (12 months ago)
Interesting ruins from 1280! Nice walk from town centre and the Larder at the nearby Highland Soap Company is great for food!

Kirsty MacDonald (12 months ago)
Imposing castle ruins just outside Fort William. Plenty of parking nearby plus the Highland Soap Company which is definitely also worth visiting!

Chris Gledhill (13 months ago)
Nice castle ruins for kids to run about in. There are a few boards up giving the history. Some of the walls have scaffolding on them for restoration. There’s lots of grassy areas for picnics and a river directly behind it. There’s no restrictions to enter, just park up free on the lane outside and walk in. Worth a visit if you’re looking for things to do in Fort William.

Thomas Romain (2 years ago)
Really not worth a detour... it’s four walls and grass ?

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