Inveraray Castle

 

Inveraray Castle & Gardens is home to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their family and is the ancestral home of the Clan Campbell.

 

Still under private ownership it has been in the family since 1740. The fairytale castle stands on the edge of Loch Fyne – an imposing sight looking over the sea loch and the beautiful little town of Inveraray. It provides visitors with a fascinating historical insight into one of Scotland's most famous ancestral homes and the way their ancestors lived.

 

The original Inverary Castle was built as a stronghold for the Campbell clan in the 15th century by Colin Campbell who was the 1st Earl of Argyll but it was burnt down by the Marquis of Montrose in 1644.

 

New designs for Inveraray Castle were drawn up in 1720 by the architect Sir John Vanbrugh, who also designed Blenheim Palace. This design was later developed by the architects Roger Morris and William Adam, who oversaw the beginning of the castle's construction in 1746, commissioned by Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll. It was completed in 1789 for John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll and his wife, Elizabeth.

 

Built in an eclectic mixture of architectural revival styles, it stands on the original site of the village of Inveraray, when Archibald Campbell decided to build the castle he had the village demolished and rebuilt a mile away, so that it would not impinge on the castle's design.

 

The site of Old Inveraray Castle is just in front of the new Inveraray Castle, although nothing is now visible of the older building. Three small white posts mark out the position of the old castle.

 

Opening Times: 1st April - 30th October, 10am - 5pm

 

Rating: 3/5

 

How to get there: entrance at the road side in Inveraray town.

 

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