Kilmartin Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kilmartin Castle |
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Kilmartin Castle
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 Kilmartin Castle
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| Coordinates | 56°08′08″N 5°29′05″W / 56.135573°N 5.484678°W |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Restored and refurbished as a bed and breakfast |
| Site history | |
| Built | 16th century Rebuilt 1990s |
Kilmartin Castle is a special old castle in Kilmartin, Scotland. It was built a long time ago in the 1500s. This castle is known as a "Z-plan" castle and a "tower house." Today, after being carefully fixed up, it's a cozy place where people can stay overnight.
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Kilmartin Castle: A Scottish Stronghold
Kilmartin Castle is a great example of a Scottish castle from the 16th century. It stands in a beautiful area of Scotland. Castles like this were important for protection and as homes for powerful families.
What is a Z-Plan Castle?
A Z-plan castle is a type of castle design. It has a main rectangular tower. Then, it has two smaller towers attached to opposite corners. These smaller towers stick out, making the castle look a bit like the letter "Z" from above. This design helped defenders see and shoot at attackers from many directions.
What is a Tower House?
A tower house is a tall, strong building. It was built to be both a home and a fortress. Many important families in Scotland lived in tower houses. They were designed to be easy to defend against enemies. Kilmartin Castle is a perfect example of this kind of building.
Who Lived at Kilmartin Castle?
Kilmartin Castle was first built by a person known as the Rector of Kilmartin. A Rector was a high-ranking church official in charge of a parish. Later, the castle became the property of the powerful Clan Campbell. A "clan" is a group of families in Scotland who are related or have a common ancestor. The Campbells were one of the most important clans in Scottish history.
The Castle Today
For many years, Kilmartin Castle was not used much. But in the 1990s, it was carefully restored. This means it was fixed up and made new again. Now, it is a lovely bed and breakfast. People can stay there and experience what it might have been like to live in a historic Scottish castle.
