Tioram Castle Ruins, Highland, United Kingdom

Castle Tioram ruins sits on the tidal island Eilean Tioram in Loch Moidart, Lochaber. The castle is the traditional seat of Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald, a branch of Clan Donald. It was seized by Government forces around 1692 when Clan Chief Allan of Clanranald joined the Jacobite Court in France, despite having sworn allegiance to the British Crown. A small garrison was stationed in the castle until the Jacobite Uprising of 1715 when Allan recaptured and torched it, purportedly to keep it out of the hands of Hanoverian forces. It has been unoccupied since that time, although there are some accounts suggesting it was partially inhabited thereafter including storage of firearms from the De Tuillay in the 1745 Jacobite Uprising and Lady Grange's account of her kidnapping.

The curtain wall is believed to date from the 13th century whilst the tower and other interior buildings are of 15th to 17th century construction. Amie mac Ruari is said to have extended the castle in the 14th century.

The castle is now in extremely poor condition and in 1998 was closed to the public at the request of Highland Council; a major structural collapse occurred at the north west curtain wall in 2000.

The castle can be reached on foot across the tidal causeway, but there is no access to the interior because of the risk of falling masonry.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

sunil lazar (5 months ago)
It is a stunning place surrounded by lot of small islands and mountains. It was on a sunny day we went out here. Prestine place. Highly recommended if you like to spend time away from busy life

Sandra Goldthorp (6 months ago)
A lovely old ruin. Lots of designated parking. Access road to region is a narrow single lane road but it’s beautifully (newly) paved. A short walk along a sandy beach and trails to access the spit of land that it sits on. For mobility impaired, you can view from a paved pathway across from the parking lot. The castle ruin is not accessible inside.

Joshua Hunt (7 months ago)
First thing first: No Bathrooms! If you travel around the UK you get used to having toilets at most touristy spots, this one DOES NOT, but I highly recommend the location (just have a wee in one of the small towns before you get there and/or strengthen your prostate). We rented a car and drove from Inverness to the castle, beautiful views, roads are narrow so drive carefully, the road to the castle is wonderful and steeped in history, once to the castle you’ll park and then have to cross by foot a narrow strip of land that connects the castle to the mainland so check the tides before you go. I highly recommend, just bring a rain coat. Bumblebee hiding in Foxgloves photo added just because

Ron Bailey (8 months ago)
Great day out on the Scottish coast for all the family. Easy free parking (yes, free parking in Scotland) with an easy short walk to the impressive fortified House....Castle. Lovely sandy walks when the tides out.

Cody Boren (9 months ago)
My favorite castle in all of Scotland. When I think of ancient castle Tioram rises well above any other. While it is not open this structure evokes the imagination as to what it may have been like back in the day. The mountains, and the water with the castle built on a rock is simply idyllic.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Tioram Castle Ruins

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus