Old Castle Lachlan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Castle Lachlan |
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Old Castle Lachlan
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 Old Castle Lachlan
Location within Argyll and Bute
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| Coordinates | 56°06′31″N 5°12′34″W / 56.1085°N 5.2095°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
yes |
| Condition | ruin |
| Site history | |
| Built | 15th century |
Old Castle Lachlan, also known as Castle Lachlan, is a very old castle ruin in Scotland. It sits right on the shore of a beautiful lake called Loch Fyne. You can find it in a part of Scotland called Argyll and Bute, on the Cowal Peninsula. This castle was once the home of a powerful Scottish family, the Clan Maclachlan.
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A Glimpse into History
Old Castle Lachlan was probably built by the Clan Maclachlan. They built it sometime in the 15th century, which means the 1400s. The land where the castle stands was first mentioned way back in 1314. At that time, it was already known as "Castlelachlan."
The Clan's Home
The castle we see today isn't the very first one. The oldest parts of the current castle date back to the early 1400s. The buildings inside were likely added later in that century. For many years, Old Castle Lachlan was the main home for the chiefs of Clan Maclachlan. They lived there for centuries.
Why a New Castle Was Built
The Maclachlan chiefs continued to live in Old Castle Lachlan for a long time. But in 1790, they decided to build a new home. This new castle, called New Castle Lachlan, was built about 0.8 kilometers (half a mile) away. After that, Old Castle Lachlan was no longer used as a home.
What Remains Today
Today, Old Castle Lachlan is a ruin. This means it's mostly broken down, but you can still see its old walls. It is protected by law as a "scheduled monument." This means it's a very important historical site that must be preserved.
Nearby Kilmorie Chapel
Close to the castle, you can find Kilmorie Chapel. This chapel is a special place because it's where the chiefs of the Maclachlan clan were laid to rest. It's also one of the few medieval church buildings left in the west of Scotland.
