Kinlochaline Castle facts for kids
Kinlochaline Castle is an old Scottish castle from the 1400s. It's a special type of building called a tower house, which means it's a tall, strong stone building designed for both living and defense. You can find it in a beautiful area of Scotland called Morvern, near a place called Loch Aline.
This castle has a fun nickname: Caisteal an Ime. That's Scottish Gaelic for Castle of Butter! The story goes that a lady from the Clan MacInnes, named Dubh Chal (which means Lady of the Black Veil), paid the castle's builder with a huge amount of butter. She gave him enough butter to fill the entire castle!
The Castle's Story
Kinlochaline Castle was built in a very smart spot. It sits right at the end of Loch Aline, which is a sea loch. This location was perfect for watching the coast and defending against any attacks from the sea.
What the Castle Looks Like
This strong castle stands four stories high. It measures about 43 feet (13 meters) by 34 feet (10 meters). Its walls are super thick, about 10 feet (3 meters) wide! They are made from large blocks of a special, rare sandstone, making the castle very tough.
Battles and Rebuilding
Kinlochaline Castle has seen some exciting times. In 1644, during a period of big conflicts in Scotland, the castle was attacked and burned. A leader named Alasdair Mac Colla led the attack.
Later, in 1679, the castle was attacked again. This time, it was during a family disagreement, or "feud," led by Archibald Campbell. After all these battles, the castle was left empty around 1690.
But the story doesn't end there! In the late 1990s, the castle was carefully rebuilt. Historic Scotland helped make sure the work was done right. Today, Kinlochaline Castle is no longer a ruin; it's a home once more.
