Castle Tioram facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Eilean Tioram |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | dry island |
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| OS grid reference | NM662724 |
| Coordinates | 56°47′N 5°48′W / 56.78°N 5.8°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Area | <2 ha |
| Highest elevation | 10 metres (33 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Highland |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Castle Tioram (which means "dry castle" in Scottish Gaelic) is a cool old castle that's now in ruins. It sits on a special island called Eilean Tioram in Loch Moidart, Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. This island is a "tidal island," which means you can walk to it from the mainland when the tide is out! The castle is located west of Acharacle, about 80 kilometers from Fort William. Even though it's hidden from the sea, the castle was important for controlling access to Loch Shiel. Locals sometimes call it "Dorlin Castle." It's a very old and protected historical site.
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Castle Tioram's Story
Castle Tioram has a long history. Some people think it was built by a powerful leader named Somerled in the 1100s. Others believe it's from the 1200s or 1300s. It was first a main fort for a group called Clann Ruaidhrí. The island it sits on, Eilean Tioram, is first mentioned in old papers from Cairistíona Nic Ruaidhrí. Later stories say the castle was built by Áine Nic Ruaidhrí, who was Cairistíona's granddaughter. For many centuries, the castle was the main home for Áine's family, the Clann Raghnaill.
Clanranald's Home and the Jacobite Risings
Castle Tioram was the traditional home of the Clanranald family, a branch of the Clan Donald. Around 1692, the castle was taken over by government soldiers. This happened because the clan chief, Allan Macdonald of Clanranald, joined the Jacobite Court in France. The Jacobites were people who supported the old royal family of Scotland and England.
A small group of soldiers stayed in the castle. But during the Jacobite rising of 1715, Allan Macdonald recaptured his castle. He then set it on fire! He did this to stop it from falling into the hands of the Hanoverian forces, who were against the Jacobites. The castle has been empty ever since. However, some stories say it was partly used later, like for storing weapons during the 1745 Jacobite Uprising.
Why the Castle is Ruined Today
The castle is now in very poor condition. In 1998, it was closed to visitors because it was unsafe. Even though the walls seemed okay at first, a big part of the northwest wall collapsed in 2000.
Plans to Fix the Castle
In 1997, the new owners, Anta Estates, wanted to fix up the castle. They planned to create a clan center or museum, some apartments, and allow public visits. The local council agreed to these plans. However, Historic Scotland, a group that protects historical sites, said no. They decided that the castle should remain a ruin. This decision was supported after a public meeting.
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (now part of Historic Environment Scotland) has many old records, drawings, and photos of the castle. These were given to them by the current owners.
About Eilean Tioram
You can walk to Castle Tioram across a path that appears when the tide is low. But you cannot go inside the castle because it's dangerous. There's a risk that parts of the walls could fall down. Eilean Tioram is one of 43 "tidal islands" in Great Britain that you can walk to from the mainland. It's also one of 17 such islands off the coast of Scotland.
