Ruined stonework near Ford looks over the south-west shore of Loch Awe at Fincharn Castle. Also called Fionchairn Castle or Glassery Castle, it is a medieval castle tied into the contested politics of Argyll around 1300.
The castle was probably built after Alexander II granted the lands of Fincharn in about 1240. Later letters connect it with MacDonald and MacDougall dealings with Edward I of England.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Fincharn Castle stands near Ford on the south-west shore of Loch Awe.
The castle was probably built around 1240, when Alexander II granted the lands of Fincharn to Giolla Easbaig Mac Giolla Chríost.
The castle seems to be the Glasrog mentioned in 1297 correspondence between Alasdair Óg Mac Domhnaill and Edward I.
In that correspondence, Alasdair Óg said he seized the barony and castle from the Steward of Scotland because of the steward's disloyalty to the English king.
Fincharn may be one of three castles mentioned in 1308 or 1309 correspondence between Eóin Mac Dubhghaill and Edward I.
The castle is a scheduled monument.
People
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Portrait: Unknown authorUnknown author / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain Alexander II
Granted the lands of Fincharn around 1240.
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Giolla Easbaig Mac Giolla Chríost
Received the lands of Fincharn from Alexander II.
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Alasdair Óg Mac Domhnaill
Mentioned a castle that may be Fincharn in 1297 correspondence with Edward I.
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Edward I
English king addressed in correspondence concerning the castle.
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Eóin Mac Dubhghaill
May have referred to Fincharn among castles garrisoned for Edward I.
Connections
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Loch Awe
The castle stands near its south-west shore.
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Ford
Nearby settlement named in the source.
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Photo: Patrick Mackie / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 Glassery Castle
Alternative name for Fincharn Castle.
What to look for
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Loch-side ruin
The ruin's setting near Loch Awe is central to its identity.
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Scheduled castle remains
The protected medieval remains preserve a link to 13th- and 14th-century Argyll politics.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 56.1862°N · 5.3881°W
- Terrain
- Rough ground — reasonable boots advised
Opening & admission
Check locally before travelling
- The castle is near Loch Awe, but the source gives no access details.
Nearby places
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Its carved capstone, marked with dozens of cup-marks and ten axe-head symbols, makes it one of the most vividly decorated Bronze Age burial monumen…
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Questions people ask
- What is Fincharn Castle?
- It is a ruined medieval castle near Ford on the south-west shore of Loch Awe.
- When was it probably built?
- It was probably built around 1240, when Alexander II granted the lands of Fincharn.
- What was Glasrog?
- The source says Fincharn seems to be identical with the castle called Glasrog in 1297 correspondence.
- Is Fincharn protected?
- Yes. It is a scheduled monument.
Sources
Explore more: Building or ruins · Medieval · Argyll and Bute
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