Castle Toward, Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom

Castle Toward was built in 1820 to replace a late medieval castle, which was home of the Clan Lamont. In the Second World War it served as HMS Brontosaurus, and after the war it was sold to Glasgow Corporation. It was used as an outdoor education facility until closure in 2009.

The original Toward Castle dates from the 15th century, and was owned by the Clan Lamont until 1809. The castle was extended in the 17th century, but was abandoned after an attack by the Clan Campbell in 1646. The ruins lie around 500 metres south-east of the later building.

The present Castle Toward was built in 1820 by Kirkman Finlay, former Lord Provost of Glasgow, as his family's country house. Finlay purchased the Achavoulin estate and renamed in Toward in 1818. It is built in the castellated Gothic Revival style, and designed by David Hamilton. Edward La Trobe Bateman was involved in garden design work here in the 1880s.

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Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Ryan Wilkinson (10 months ago)
Nice easy stroll to the ruins from the main road and if you're feeling more energetic you can head to the Chinese lakes at the top of the hill. Very peaceful and dog friendly.

TheManonthemoon444 (2 years ago)
Nice. Worth a visit.

Richard Bannister (2 years ago)
Not really worth the drive from Dunoon. Some nice views and some picnic benches but the tiny castle itself is closed.

Pedro Maurício (3 years ago)
Pretty underwhelming, considering you can't go inside

xGxqrge (3 years ago)
Good to see a nice piece of history

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Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.

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