Fraoch Eilean, Loch Awe facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Fraoch Eilean |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | Heather Island |
| OS grid reference | NN108251 |
| Coordinates | 56°22′49″N 5°03′57″W / 56.380209°N 5.065834°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Loch Awe |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
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Fraoch Eilean is a tiny island in Loch Awe, a beautiful freshwater lake in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It's famous for being the home of a royal castle from the Middle Ages. This castle is now in ruins. In 1267, King Alexander III gave the castle to the Clan Macnaghten to look after.
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What's in a Name? Fraoch Eilean's Meaning
The name Fraoch Eilean means "heather island" in Scottish Gaelic. Heather is a common plant with small purple flowers.
However, some people think the name might mean "Isle of Fraoch." Fraoch was a brave hero from old Celtic mythology. There's a legend about a special Rowan tree on an island in Loch Awe. This tree had fruit that could make you young again and cure hunger. A dragon or serpent guarded the tree.
Fraoch managed to steal some fruit. But when he went back for the tree itself, the dragon chased him. They fought, and both Fraoch and the dragon died. A pile of stones, called a cairn, was built where Fraoch fell. The island was then named in his honor. This old story is like the Greek myth of the Hesperides. It was written down in a Gaelic poem called Bás Fraoich.
Island Geography: Where is Fraoch Eilean?
Fraoch Eilean is one of several small islands at the northern end of Loch Awe. North of Fraoch Eilean is Innischonain. To the south, you'll find Inishail. There are also smaller islands nearby, like Eilean Beith.
The island of Fraoch Eilean itself has two rocky hills. These hills are connected by a sand and shingle beach. The ruined castle sits on the eastern hill. Scientists have even found special "vitrified stone" near the castle ruins. This stone looks like glass and is formed by intense heat.
The Castle on Fraoch Eilean
Castle History: A Royal Stronghold
The castle on Fraoch Eilean was built in a very important spot. It's right across from the Pass of Brander at the north end of Loch Awe. From here, you can see all the way to the Firth of Lorn and the Atlantic. This meant people at the castle could spot any invading ships coming towards Scotland from the sea.
The island and its castle once belonged to the Scottish king, Alexander III. This castle might have been one of the first stone forts in the area of Argyll. Before it became a royal castle, the MacDougalls may have lived there.
In 1267, King Alexander III wanted to make friends in western Scotland. He had just won the Battle of Largs. So, he gave the "Hereditary Keepership of the Royal Castle on the Island of Fraoch Eilean" to Sir Gilchrist MacNauchtan. This meant Sir Gilchrist and his family would always be in charge of the castle.
The Clan MacNauchtan had to keep the castle in good repair. They also had to make sure it was safe for the king to visit. Local stories say their rent for the castle was just "a ball of snow"! This might have been possible because the tall mountain Ben Cruachan is nearby. The document that gave the castle to the MacNauchtans is one of the oldest papers in the National Archives of Scotland. "Fraoch Eilean" was also the war-cry of Clan MacNauchtan.
Even though the document is old, some people wonder if it's truly real. Still, giving the castle to the MacNauchtans made sense. It helped the Scottish king gain more control in the western parts of his kingdom after the Treaty of Perth. The first parts of the castle were built in the 1200s. These early ruins look a lot like the oldest parts of Castle Sween.
Later, in the 14th century, the castle was taken over by the Campbell clan. The Campbells already owned other castles around Loch Awe, like Kilchurn Castle.
In 1745, a Macnachtan took the castle back from the Campbells. It was fixed up for Bonnie Prince Charlie. People thought he might pass through the area after he landed at Glenfinnan. The castle was likely left empty and abandoned sometime before 1769.
Castle Archaeology: What Remains Today
The castle ruins are on the highest point of the island, on the eastern rocky hill. Archaeologists have found parts of the castle from four different time periods.
The oldest part is from the 13th century. It was a stone hall-house on the east side. It was about 80 feet (24 m) long and 30 feet (9.1 m) wide. At that time, other buildings on the site would have been made of wood and turf. Later, a stone curtain wall was built around this area. It had a tower and a gate.
In the early 1600s, a much smaller building was added in the northeast corner of the old hall. The rest of the hall, which no longer had a roof, was used as an inner courtyard. Finally, later in the 1600s, the small hall-house was made bigger. The remaining walls are about 4.6 metres (15 ft) tall on average. The north wall is the most complete, reaching a height of 9.0 metres (29.5 ft).
