Achanduin Castle
Encyclopedia
Achanduin Castle, is a castle
, now in ruins, located about 5 kilometres west of Achnacroish
on the north-western coastline of the Isle of Lismore, in Argyll and Bute
, Scotland
. The castle overlooks Loch Linnhe
and Bernera Island
. The ruins are thought to date back to the thirteenth century. Achanduin Castle had long been thought to have been built by the Bishop of Argyll
, though recent research has proved this to be unlikely. The castle was likely built by the MacDougalls
around 1290 who held it throughout the fourteenth century. The castle was also thought to have been held by the Bishops of Argyll until the mid sixteenth century.
vary in thickness from 1.4 to 2.4 metres and enclose an area of about 22 metres square. The enclosed area would have contained at least two ranges of buildings on either side of a small courtyard, the south-east range being the mose substantial. During excavations of the site in 1970 and 1971, two doorways were found leading from the courtyard into the north-west range.
and the see of Lismore were in virtual poverty. It had once been thought that the Bishop of Argyll
was the builder of Achanduin Castle, though recent research shows that neither the see or the Bishop at any tme were wealthy enough to construct a castle. Recent research has points to the MacDougalls.
Archaeological excavations show that Achanduin Castle was built about 1290, at a time when the Bishop of Argyll, Laurence de Ergadia
, was himself possibly a MacDougall. The first documentary evidence of the castle appears in a grant of lands dated 1304 at Achichendone, when Eugenil de Ergadia, Lord of Lorn, of Menderaloch and of Lesmor granted to Andrew, Bishop of Argyll lands next to the castle. This grant shows that Achanduin Castle was in the hands of a MacDougall at that time.
The MacDougalls were forfeit in 1308, and losing most of their lands following the Battle of the Pass of Brander and the loss of their stronghold of Dunstaffnage Castle
. Of records concerning their redistributed possessions, Lismore is never mentioned. Therefore it is possible that the MacDougalls were then allowed to retain the island.
Archaeological evidence suggests that there was little occupation at the castle from c.1400 to relatively modern times.
In 1451 John Maol (John Alani de Lorn nominato Mak Dowil) was granted Dunolly and other lands from John Stewart, Lord of Lorn
. Around this time it is believed the MacDougalls left Lismore for the mainland to build Dunollie Castle
. By 1452 The Bishop of Argyll seems to have had possession of Achanduin Castle and for a short time occupied it. It is suggested that the castle may have been given to the Bishopric at an earlier time, though there was not much use for it. The evidence shows at least that the Bishop of Argyll did not frequently visit Lismore.
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
, now in ruins, located about 5 kilometres west of Achnacroish
Achnacroish
Achnacroish is a village on the Scottish island of Lismore. The harbour serves the ferry between Lismore and Oban....
on the north-western coastline of the Isle of Lismore, in Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute is both one of 32 unitary council areas; and a Lieutenancy area in Scotland. The administrative centre for the council area is located in Lochgilphead.Argyll and Bute covers the second largest administrative area of any Scottish council...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The castle overlooks Loch Linnhe
Loch Linnhe
Loch Linnhe is a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland....
and Bernera Island
Berneray
There are two islands named Berneray in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland:*Barra Head, the southernmost isle of the Outer Hebrides *Berneray, North Uist, near North Uist-See also:*Great Bernera on the north-west coast of Lewis...
. The ruins are thought to date back to the thirteenth century. Achanduin Castle had long been thought to have been built by the Bishop of Argyll
Bishop of Argyll
The Bishop of Argyll or Bishop of Lismore was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Argyll, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. It was created in 1200, when the western half of the territory of the Bishopric of Dunkeld was formed into the new diocese. The bishops were based at Lismore...
, though recent research has proved this to be unlikely. The castle was likely built by the MacDougalls
Clan MacDougall
Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle, son of Somerled, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull in Argyll in the 13th century...
around 1290 who held it throughout the fourteenth century. The castle was also thought to have been held by the Bishops of Argyll until the mid sixteenth century.
Description of the ruins
The remains of the castle are seated on the summit of a limestone ridge on the north-western shore of Lismore. The south-west and south-east walls are collapsed though the north-east and a large part of the north-west wall still stand, to a maximum height of 6.7 metres. These curtain wallsCurtain wall (fortification)
A curtain wall is a defensive wall between two bastions of a castle or fortress.In earlier designs of castle the curtain walls were often built to a considerable height and were fronted by a ditch or moat to make assault difficult....
vary in thickness from 1.4 to 2.4 metres and enclose an area of about 22 metres square. The enclosed area would have contained at least two ranges of buildings on either side of a small courtyard, the south-east range being the mose substantial. During excavations of the site in 1970 and 1971, two doorways were found leading from the courtyard into the north-west range.
History
Throughout the thirteenth century the Diocese of ArgyllDiocese of Argyll
The Diocese of Argyll was an ecclesiastical territory or diocese in Scotland in the Middle Ages. The Diocese was led by the Bishop of Argyll, and was based at Lismore....
and the see of Lismore were in virtual poverty. It had once been thought that the Bishop of Argyll
Bishop of Argyll
The Bishop of Argyll or Bishop of Lismore was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Argyll, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. It was created in 1200, when the western half of the territory of the Bishopric of Dunkeld was formed into the new diocese. The bishops were based at Lismore...
was the builder of Achanduin Castle, though recent research shows that neither the see or the Bishop at any tme were wealthy enough to construct a castle. Recent research has points to the MacDougalls.
Archaeological excavations show that Achanduin Castle was built about 1290, at a time when the Bishop of Argyll, Laurence de Ergadia
Laurence de Ergadia
Laurence de Ergadia was a thirteenth century Scottish bishop. Probably from the MacDougall kindred of Argyll, Laurence had become a Dominican friar and presumably university graduate before being elected Bishop of Argyll, an election which took place sometime between 1262 and 1264...
, was himself possibly a MacDougall. The first documentary evidence of the castle appears in a grant of lands dated 1304 at Achichendone, when Eugenil de Ergadia, Lord of Lorn, of Menderaloch and of Lesmor granted to Andrew, Bishop of Argyll lands next to the castle. This grant shows that Achanduin Castle was in the hands of a MacDougall at that time.
The MacDougalls were forfeit in 1308, and losing most of their lands following the Battle of the Pass of Brander and the loss of their stronghold of Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle is a partially ruined castle in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It lies N.N.E. of Oban, situated on a platform of conglomerate rock on a promontory at the south-west of the entrance to Loch Etive, and is surrounded on three sides by the sea.The castle dates back to the 13th...
. Of records concerning their redistributed possessions, Lismore is never mentioned. Therefore it is possible that the MacDougalls were then allowed to retain the island.
Archaeological evidence suggests that there was little occupation at the castle from c.1400 to relatively modern times.
In 1451 John Maol (John Alani de Lorn nominato Mak Dowil) was granted Dunolly and other lands from John Stewart, Lord of Lorn
Lord Lorne
Lord Lorne is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created twice. First it was created for Robert Stewart, son of John Stewart, ambassador to the English king, by a daughter of Eoghan de Ergadia, Laird of Latharna. He was succeeded by his oldest son John, member of the Scottish Parliament. In...
. Around this time it is believed the MacDougalls left Lismore for the mainland to build Dunollie Castle
Dunollie Castle
Dunollie Castle is a small ruin located on a hill north of the town of Oban, on the west coast Scotland. It commands a view of the town, harbour and, outlying isles. The ruin is accessible by a short, steep path. There is no entrance fee, there is a small layby at the foot of the hill...
. By 1452 The Bishop of Argyll seems to have had possession of Achanduin Castle and for a short time occupied it. It is suggested that the castle may have been given to the Bishopric at an earlier time, though there was not much use for it. The evidence shows at least that the Bishop of Argyll did not frequently visit Lismore.
See also
- Clan MacDougallClan MacDougallClan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle, son of Somerled, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull in Argyll in the 13th century...
- Bishop of ArgyllBishop of ArgyllThe Bishop of Argyll or Bishop of Lismore was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Argyll, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. It was created in 1200, when the western half of the territory of the Bishopric of Dunkeld was formed into the new diocese. The bishops were based at Lismore...
- LismoreLismore, ScotlandLismore is a partially Gaelic speaking island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. This fertile, low-lying island was once a major centre of Celtic Christianity, with a monastery founded by Saint Moluag and the seat of the Bishop of Argyll.-Geography:...