Loch Slin Castle facts for kids
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Loch Slin Castle (also spelled Lochslin) is a castle that is now in ruins. It is located near Fearn, Highland, in Scotland. For about 200 years, from the 1400s to the 1600s, it was the home of the Vass family. The castle gets its name from a nearby loch (a Scottish lake). It was built close to Loch Eye, between the areas of Tain and Tarbat.
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What Loch Slin Castle Looked Like
The last standing part of Loch Slin Castle fell down in 1953. But old photos and drawings help us know what it looked like. The castle had a special turret (a small tower) high up. This turret was supported by stone brackets called corbels. It also had fancy rope-like designs carved into the stone.
Castle Design and Size
Loch Slin Castle was built in an "L" shape. This means it had two main parts joined together, forming the letter L. The kitchen was on the first floor. This design was similar to other castles like Castle Leod.
The castle had two nearly square towers. Inside these towers were staircases in the corners. An old record from the late 1700s describes them. The smaller tower facing west was about 20 feet (6 meters) wide. The larger tower was about 38 feet (11.5 meters) wide. The castle stood about 60 feet (18 meters) tall. It had three large turrets for defense. Two turrets were on the larger tower, and one was on the smaller tower.
History of Loch Slin Castle
Loch Slin Castle was built about half a mile east of Loch Eye. Some records suggest the castle was built in the 1300s.
Castle Owners Over Time
The Vass family owned Loch Slin Castle from the 1400s. They lived there until the early 1600s. After the Vass family, the castle was taken over by the Munro family from Meikle Tarrel. Later, the castle passed from the Munros to the Mackenzie family. The Mackenzies took ownership of the castle in 1624.
