McCaig's Tower facts for kids
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McCaig's Tower, sometimes called McCaig's Folly, is a famous tower that stands tall on Battery Hill. It looks over the town of Oban in Argyll, Scotland. This unique building is made from granite stones. These stones came from quarries across Airds Bay, near Muckairn, on Loch Etive.
The tower is about 200 meters (656 feet) around. It has two levels with 94 pointed arches, like windows. There are 44 arches on the bottom level and 50 on the top. It is a special historic building, listed as a Grade B monument. This means it's important to protect it.
A rich banker named John Stuart McCaig paid for the tower to be built. He was a philanthropic person, which means he liked to help others. He wanted to spend about £5,000 (which would be around £500,000 today) on this project.
John Stuart McCaig designed the tower himself. Construction began in 1897. Sadly, he passed away on June 29, 1902, at the age of 78. He died from a cardiac arrest in Oban. His death meant the tower was never fully finished.
Why Was McCaig's Tower Built?
McCaig had two main reasons for building this tower. First, he wanted to create a lasting monument to his family. He hoped it would be a special tribute that would stand for a long time.
Second, he wanted to help the local stonemasons. He planned for the construction to give them work during the cold winter months. This way, they would have jobs when other work might be scarce.
McCaig's Grand Plans
John Stuart McCaig loved Roman and Greek buildings. He planned for the tower to be very grand, like the Colosseum in Rome. His original ideas were much bigger than what you see today.
He wanted to include a museum and an art gallery inside the tower. There was also going to be a central tower. Inside this central tower, he planned to have statues of himself, his brothers and sisters, and their parents. However, only the outer walls were completed before he died.
After his death, his will said that £1,000 should be used each year to maintain the tower. But his family members disagreed with this part of the will. They took the matter to court and won. This legal dispute meant the tower was left unfinished.
McCaig's Tower Today
Since 1971, McCaig's Tower has been recognized as a Grade B Listed historic monument. This means it's a protected building because of its historical importance.
Today, the tower's empty shell is a famous landmark in Oban. It has been turned into a public garden. From inside the tower, you can enjoy amazing views of the islands of Kerrera, Lismore, and Mull.
You can reach the tower by climbing 144 steps, known as Jacob's Ladder. Or, you can drive up, but the car park is quite small. It's a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
The first wedding ceremony held in McCaig's Tower took place on July 11, 2003. It was for two teachers from Oban High School, Jim Maxwell and Margaret Milligan. This special event was reported in the local newspaper, the Oban Times.
