Eilean Dearg

 

Dheirrig or Eilean Dearg (Gaelic for 'red island'),is a rocky islet, the furthest of a small group in the mouth of Loch Riddon. The castle which was situated on the island of Eilean Dearg was destroyed by naval action during Argyll’s Rising of 1685.

 

There are no intelligible remains to be seen as the site is overgrown.Charter evidence indicates this castle was the property of the Stewarts at the end of the 13th.century.
Eilean Dearg is a small island on Loch Riddon. The island was once home to a castle which was the location for the Rebellion of the Earl of Argyll against James V11 in 1685,the castle which was situated on this island was destroyed by naval action at this time.
Excavations in 1964 and 1967 revealed evidence of the castle remains.

 

They found the foundations of the castles hall,chapel and tower and a wall along with a gate.They also found vitrified rock,indicating the island was once occupied by a vitrified fort.

 

Glasgow Museum has a collection of some 470 objects found at the excavations,including knife blades,window glass,coins,pottery and a bronze ring dating from the 14th. 17th.century.

 

Carved stone blocks thought to have come from the castle have been found by the dive club H20 at a visit to the site.

 

Rating: n/a

 

How to get there: 21 miles north-west of Colintraive

 

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