Moy Castle facts for kids
Moy Castle is an old, ruined castle in Scotland. You can find it on the beautiful Isle of Mull, close to a place called Lochbuie. Today, this historic site is a special protected monument.
Contents
The Story of Moy Castle
Moy Castle has a long and interesting history! The land where it stands was given to a man named Hector Reaganach Maclean in 1360. He was the first leader, or "Laird," of the Macleans of Lochbuie.
Building the Castle
The building of the castle probably started with John Maclean, who was the third Laird. His son, Hector, the fourth Laird, likely finished it. We know the castle existed by 1494. A special royal document from that year mentions John Maclean, the fifth Laird, owning the land.
Clan Battles and New Homes
For a while, the castle was taken from the Macleans of Lochbuie by another powerful family, Clan Campbell. But don't worry, it was later given back to the Macleans. The castle was used for many years, but in 1752, the Maclean family moved out. They built a new, more modern house nearby, and Moy Castle was left empty.
What Moy Castle Looks Like
Moy Castle is a type of building called a tower house. It has three main floors and a small attic space at the very top. Most of the stone walls you see today were built in the early 1400s. Some parts were changed or added later, around the late 1500s.
Inside and Out
Even though the castle no longer has a roof, its strong stone walls are still mostly standing. They reach all the way up to where the roof used to be. You can still see the top edge of the walls, which has a special pattern called a crenellated parapet. This was like a protective walkway for guards. There are also parts of two small guardhouses at the very top.
On the ground floor inside the castle, there's a well. Outside, on the southeast side, there used to be a small enclosed area called a barmkin. This was like a small yard or courtyard.
Keeping the Castle Safe
From 2006 to 2015, special work was done to make sure the castle stayed strong and didn't fall apart. This work helped to preserve it. Even in 2020, more conservation work was happening to keep this amazing old building safe for the future.
Moy Castle in Movies
Did you know Moy Castle has been in a movie? It was used for some scenes in a 1945 film called I Know Where I'm Going!. Other parts of the Isle of Mull were also used in the movie.
