Tarbert Castle
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{infobox military installation
| name = Tarbert Castle
| native_name =
| partof =
| location = Tarbert, Kintyre, Scotland
| image = File:Argyll and Bute - Tarbert Castle - 20220920131143.jpg
| caption = Tarbert Castle
| map_type = Scotland Argyll and Bute
| map_size =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| type =
| coordinates = {{coord|55.863611|-5.408611|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| code =
| built =
| builder =
| materials =
| height =
| used =
| demolished =
| condition = Ruin
| ownership =
| open_to_public = Yes
| controlledby =
| garrison =
| current_commander =
| commanders =
| occupants =
| battles =
| events =
| image2 =
| caption2 =
}}
Tarbert Castle is located on the southern shore of East Loch Tarbert, at Tarbert, Argyll, Scotland, at the north end of Kintyre. Tarbert Castle was a strategic royal stronghold during the Middle Ages and one of three castles at Tarbert. The castle overlooks the harbour and although pre 14th century in construction, the tower dates back to 1494 and the visit of James IV to the Western Highlands.
History
In 712, Tarbert was burned by King Selbach mac Ferchair of Cenél Loairn and of Dál Riata and in 731 by his son, Dúngal mac Selbaig.{{cite book |title=Annals of Ulster AD 431-1201 (vols. 1 and 2) |year=2009}}
King Edward I of England handed control of the castle to the Scottish King John II de Balliol in 1292. A fortified structure was built in Tarbert during the 13th century. It was reinforced with the addition of an outer bailey and towers in the 1320s by Robert the Bruce. A tower house was added in the 16th century, which is the most noticeable part of the remains. The castle occupies high land above the village, providing views up Loch Fyne and beyond to the Firth of Clyde. This castle was captured from John MacDonald of Islay, Lord of the Isles by James IV of Scotland as part of his campaign to destroy the power of the Lords of the Isles in 1494. In 1687, the castle was involved in another skirmish when Walter Campbell of Skipness Castle seized it as a stronghold for Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll as part of actions in support of the Monmouth Rebellion in England.
There are only a couple of standing walls left. The castle has a commanding view of the water approaches.
Now owned by the community and part of a volunteer-maintained heritage park.{{cn|date=July 2024}}
Constables of Tarbert Castle
- John de Lany 1326{{cite web |url=http://www.clanmacmillan.org/History/History-Knapdale.htm |title=The MacMillans in Knapdale |accessdate=2009-07-15 |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120729154241/http://www.clanmacmillan.org/History/History-Knapdale.htm |archivedate=2012-07-29 }}
- Charles MacAlister 1481
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- David Hicks (1982), The Highland Clans, {{ISBN|978-0-09-144740-3}}
- Annals of Ulster, AD 431-1201 (vols. 1 and 2) [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100001A edition] and [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A translation]
External links
- [http://www.tarbertlochfyne.com/viewtarberthistory.php?name=royalcastle Tarbert Royal Castle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212111/http://www.tarbertlochfyne.com/viewtarberthistory.php?name=royalcastle |date=3 March 2016 }}
- [http://www.tarbertcastle.info Tarbert's Royal Castle (official website)]
{{coord|55|51|49|N|5|24|31|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Portal bar|Scotland}}