Tor Castle facts for kids
Tor Castle is an old, ruined castle near Fort William in the Highland area of Scotland. It sits about 3 miles (5 km) northeast of the town. The castle is located west of the River Lochy and east of the Caledonian Canal, close to a place called Torlundy.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Ancient Beginnings
Long ago, even before the castle, an Iron Age fort stood on this very spot. People say that this ancient fort once belonged to a person named Banquo. Banquo is a character in William Shakespeare's famous play, MacBeth. There has been some kind of castle or building here since at least the 11th century.
Early Owners: Clan Mackintosh
In 1291, a special marriage was planned for Angus Mackintosh. He was the chief, or leader, of the Clan Mackintosh. Angus married Eva, who was the only daughter of Dougal Dal, the chief of the Clan Chattan. This marriage was very important because it gave Angus new lands. He gained control of areas called Glenloy and Loch Arkaig. Angus and Eva first lived at Tor Castle, which was part of the Clan Chattan lands. Later, they moved away to a place called Rothiemurchus.
The Camerons Take Over
After the Mackintosh family left, the Clan Cameron took control of Tor Castle. The Camerons were another powerful group of families. They built a very strong tower house and a walled courtyard at the castle. In 1530, Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, who was the 13th chief of Clan Cameron, rebuilt parts of the castle. The Camerons used Tor Castle as a safe place. It helped them protect themselves from attacks by the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, another clan in the area.
What the Castle Looks Like Now
Today, Tor Castle is mostly a ruin. It consists of what is left of a tower house. A tower house is a tall, strong building that was used for both living and defense in the past.
