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Description |
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The
castle stands on a rocky promontory on the N side of Loch Crinan with a
wide prospect on all sides except N and NW. The enclosure is probably
late medieval and the tower house inside c.1600. Restoration and
alterations were undertaken in 1796 when the castle came into the hands
of Neil Malcolm of Poltalloch and was further modernised and extended
between 1954-7 by Col. George Malcolm of Poltalloch. It is still in the
Malcolm family and is in use as a family home. |
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Details |
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Exterior
The castle consists of an enclosure with the
curtain wall standing about 5m above the courtyard. The battlemented top
probably dates from the late 18thc as do the gateway and forework. Near
the W angle is a door (now a French window) which originally served as a
postern or sea-gate.The Tower house is 3 storey L plan building with
projecting stair tower. The main block and wing have crow-stepped
gables. Nearly all the window openings have been modified. The building
is of random-rubble construction, heavily pointed and rendered and the
dressings are of green chloriate-schist and schistose sandstone. The
exterior is devoid of early architectural detail. |
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Interior |
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The
ground floor of the Tower house is vaulted throughout and originally
consisted of cellars and services for the upstairs accomodation. The
corridor is slab roofed. The first floor was divided into hall and
chamber, the latter is now a dining-room restored in the 18th c. with a
classical chimney-piece. The second floor has been modernised and
sub-divided. |
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Access / Ownership |
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The
castle is privately owned and is not open to the public. |
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Abbreviated
References |
