Castle Sween facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle Sween |
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| Achnamara, Loch Sween, Knapdale, Argyll, Scotland | |
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 Castle Sween
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| Coordinates | 55°56′52″N 5°39′55″W / 55.9479°N 5.6654°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Historic Scotland |
| Site history | |
| Built | 12th century |
| Built by | Suibhne |
Castle Sween, also called Caisteal Suibhne, is a very old castle in Scotland. It stands on the eastern shore of Loch Sween. This is in a place called Knapdale, near the village of Achnamara.
Experts believe Castle Sween is one of the first stone castles ever built in Scotland. It was likely built in the late 11th century. The tall towers you see today were added later. Before that, there might have been wooden buildings that are now gone.
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History of Castle Sween
Who Built Castle Sween?
Castle Sween is known as Scotland's oldest stone castle. It was built around the late 11th century. A man named Suibhne built it. He was the son of Hugh Anrahan. Hugh was the brother of the King of Ulster and High King of Ireland. The castle gets its name from Suibhne.
Early Owners: The MacSweens
For a long time, until the 1200s, the MacSweens owned the land around the castle. This area was known as Knapdale. But later in that century, the land and castle went to the Stewart/Menteith family.
A King's Grant and a Poem
In 1310, Edward II, who was the King of England, gave the MacSweens their old lands back. This was on one condition: they had to remove John Menteith from the area.
There's an old Gaelic poem called Dál chabhlaigh ar Chaistéal Suibhne. It might be about John MacSween trying to take back Castle Sween around 1310. This shows how important the castle was to his family.
Changes in Ownership
After John Menteith died in 1323, his son and grandson took over the lands. In 1376, half of Knapdale, including Castle Sween, went to John MacDonald I, Lord of the Isles. This happened because his father-in-law, Robert II, the King of Scotland, granted it to him.
For about 150 years, the MacDonalds owned the castle. During this time, the castle was looked after by members of the Clan MacNeil and later the Clan MacMillan.
The Castle in Later Years
In 1490, James IV, the King of Scotland, gave Castle Sween to Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll. This was another big change in who owned the castle.
In 1647, during a time of many conflicts called the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Castle Sween was attacked. A leader named Alasdair MacColla and his Irish followers burned the castle.
Castle Sween Today
In 1933, the castle was placed under the care of the Historic Building and Monuments Directorate. Today, Historic Scotland looks after Castle Sween. They work to protect and preserve this important piece of Scottish history.
