A promontory north of Campbeltown holds the ruined fortified house of Smerby Castle. Also known as Island Muller Castle, it is protected as a scheduled monument on the Kintyre coast.
The source record centres on the MacDonalds of Smerby and a violent late-16th-century family episode. Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg, was kept in chains here in 1598 after capture by his son James.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Smerby Castle is a ruined fortified house on a promontory known as Isla Muller in Kintyre.
The site lies north of Campbeltown and is protected as a scheduled monument.
Ranald MacDonald received Smerby Castle from his father James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg.
Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg, was kept in chains at Smerby Castle in 1598.
Angus had suffered burns after his Kintyre house Askomull was burned by his son James and was subsequently captured.
The MacDonalds of Smerby were known as MacConnell, reflecting Gaelic pronunciation of MacDonald.
People
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Ranald MacDonald
Granted Smerby Castle by his father.
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James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg
Father who granted the castle to Ranald MacDonald.
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Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg
Held prisoner in chains at Smerby Castle in 1598.
Connections
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Isla Muller
Promontory site of the fortified house.
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Campbeltown
Town south of the castle.
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MacDonalds of Smerby
Family associated with the castle and the MacConnell name.
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Askomull
Angus MacDonald's Kintyre house, burned before his capture.
What to look for
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Promontory ruin
The fortified house stands on the promontory known as Isla Muller.
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Scheduled remains
The protected ruin preserves a MacDonald family site north of Campbeltown.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 55.4443°N · 5.5491°W
- Terrain
- Rough ground — reasonable boots advised
Opening & admission
Check locally before travelling
- The ruined fortified house stands on a promontory known as Isla Muller.
- The source gives no public access terms.
Nearby places
Questions people ask
- What is Smerby Castle?
- It is a ruined fortified house on a Kintyre promontory north of Campbeltown.
- Who owned Smerby Castle?
- Ranald MacDonald received it from his father James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg.
- Who was imprisoned there?
- Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg, was kept in chains there in 1598.
- Is Smerby Castle protected?
- Yes. The site is protected as a scheduled monument.
Sources
Explore more: Building or ruins · Medieval · Argyll and Bute
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