An overgrown island in Loch Gorm hides the low remains of a Clan Donald stronghold. Loch Gorm Castle stands on Eilean Mòr, where the shoreline can make the ruined island look almost featureless.
Built in the early 15th century, the castle saw MacLean occupation, MacDonald recovery, royal demolition and later garrisoning. Its square plan with round corner bastions survives mostly as low ruin.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Loch Gorm Castle stands on Eilean Mòr in Loch Gorm on Islay. It was built in the early 15th century, generally dated around the 1430s.
The castle served as a stronghold for Clan Donald. Its plan was square, with a round bastion at each corner.
The ruins are heavily overgrown and reduced to a low level. Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean of Duart occupied the castle temporarily in 1578 during a campaign over the Rinns of Islay.
The MacDonalds of Dunnyveg ejected him with help from Colin Campbell, 6th Earl of Argyll. Royal forces led by Andrew Stuart, 3rd Lord Ochiltree, demolished the castle in 1608.
Ranald MacDonald of Smerby later commanded the castle garrison and surrendered it to Sir John Campbell of Cawdor on 28 January 1615. Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg, retook the island in April 1615.
A private garrison was maintained on Eilean Mòr between 1639 and 1640.
People
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Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean of Duart
Temporarily occupied Loch Gorm Castle in 1578.
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Colin Campbell, 6th Earl of Argyll
Helped the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg eject Maclean.
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Andrew Stuart, 3rd Lord Ochiltree
Led royal forces that demolished the castle in 1608.
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Ranald MacDonald of Smerby
Commanded the garrison before surrendering the castle in 1615.
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Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg
Retook Eilean Mòr in April 1615.
Connections
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Loch Gorm
Freshwater loch containing Eilean Mòr.
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Eilean Mòr
Island site of the castle.
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Clan Donald
Built and used the castle as a stronghold.
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MacDonalds of Dunnyveg
Recovered the castle from Maclean occupation.
What to look for
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Low overgrown ruin
The source says the remains are heavily overgrown and reduced to a low level.
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Square plan
The castle had a square plan with round corner bastions.
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Island setting
The castle occupies Eilean Mòr in Loch Gorm.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 55.8034°N · 6.4142°W
- Terrain
- Rough ground — reasonable boots advised
Opening & admission
Check local loch and island access before travelling
- The castle is on Eilean Mòr in Loch Gorm and is heavily overgrown.
- The source gives no public landing or access arrangements.
Nearby places
Building or ruin · Medieval
Finlaggan, Eilean Mor
Argyll and Bute
In the first half of the 7th century a monastic community was established on Eilean Mor, the largest of the three islands in Loch Finlaggan — eithe…
- Near Port Askaig
- 520 metres from car park
- Some walking
Questions people ask
- What is Loch Gorm Castle?
- It is a ruined early-15th-century Clan Donald stronghold on Eilean Mòr in Loch Gorm, Islay.
- What did it look like?
- The castle was square, with a round bastion at each corner, though the ruins are now low and overgrown.
- Who demolished it?
- Royal forces led by Andrew Stuart, 3rd Lord Ochiltree, demolished the castle in 1608.
- Who retook it in 1615?
- Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg, retook the island in April 1615.
Sources
Explore more: Building or ruins · Medieval · Argyll and Bute
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