Fincharn Castle, Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom

Fincharn Castle was built in 1240 by the Lord of Glassary, but the present ruin must represent a later castle. It is said to have belonged to the MacMartins or to the MacIains.

References:

Historic Environment Scotland

User Reviews

Will Grier (2 years ago)
Nice place. Would look great on the summer

Robert Clelland (2 years ago)
Took my Girlfriend and brother to Rothsay yesterday, Rothsay was quite, we drove everywhere on the island, we even met Willy Nelson lookalike, had a good laugh with him. Made our day out. We bought burgers and homemade soup from burger stand across from Lena Zavaroni's cafe. Very good and Tasty. Fair price for an island. We enjoyed ourselves. Lovely day out. We got the ferry at wymssbay over and on way home we took the short way ferry over, it only takes 5 minutes but the long way home. One thing for sure I/we enjoyed the drive home, heading towards Helensburgh then to Glasgow, we stopped off at Arrochar for something to eat out of the chip shop before moving off again. Dropping of my Girlfriend then my Brother. Then when I got home I had a wee drink before retiring to bed. All in all a fantastic day out.

Caroline Stott (2 years ago)
A great castle with plenty of history. Not very expensive to get into. Well worth a visit.

Jamie Thomson (2 years ago)
Great historical site, cheap to enter and there's a video explaining the history. Most of the castle is open ruins but some of it was restored in the 16th century and is a large dining hall. There's a pit prison you can climb down into and a small shop with a selection of books, clothing and toys. Well worth a visit

Dagmar Belešová (3 years ago)
We didn't get in as the castle is closed for renovations for a few weeks, but it's great from the outside! A proper castle with a moat and bang in he city centre. Make sure to stop by even if you don't have much time - well worth it!

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Construction on the present building was begun in the 17th century by the architect Domenico Fontana. Intended to house the King Philip III of Spain on a visit never fulfilled to this part of his kingdom, instead it initially housed the Viceroy Fernando Ruiz de Castro, count of Lemos. By 1616, the facade had been completed, and by 1620, the interior was frescoed by Battistello Caracciolo, Giovanni Balducci, and Belisario Corenzio. The decoration of the Royal Chapel of Assumption was not completed until 1644 by Antonio Picchiatti.

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In 1922, it was decided to transfer here the contents of the National Library. The transfer of library collections was made by 1925.

The library suffered from bombing during World War II and the subsequent military occupation of the building caused serious damage. Today, the palace and adjacent grounds house the famous Teatro San Carlo, the smaller Teatrino di Corte (recently restored), the Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III, a museum, and offices, including those of the regional tourist board.

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