Description:

This grim fortress castle is one of Scotland’s lesser known castles. Because of its strategic importance the castle was transformed into a true fortress by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart ´The Bastard of Arran.

It was used as State Prison from Covenanting times (Cardinal Beaton was a ´guest´ in 1543) and it was heavily damaged by Cromwell´s forces in the mid 17^th century.

The castle was garrisoned until 1870 and used as an ammunition depot until 1912 when it was finally restored.