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This 16th-century tower house, known in its time as "the Black Castle of Barcaldine," is now one of the most deluxe bed and breakfast hotels Scotland has to offer. The "L" shaped structure is in excellent repair and offers sensational views over Loch Creran.
Visiting Barcaldine Castle
Parking
A free car park is available at the site.
Price
From £200 per night per room - pricing subject to change - see official Barcaldine Castle website for details.
Castle may also be rented as an "exclusive use" venue
Opening
To check availability or book a room, visit the Barcaldine Castle website
Barcaldine Castle can be reserved for small weddings with up to 36 guests - Accommodation packages available for up to 12 guests - Visit Barcaldine Castle website for details and pricing.
Location & Access
Benderloch, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1SA
The castle is on the south shore of Loch Creran, just off the A828 Oban to Fort William road, 2.5 miles (4.02 kilometres) from the village of Barcaldine, 1.5 miles (2.41 kilometres) from the village of Benderloch.
From Benderloch, turn off the A828 at the school and travel the signposted road to Barcaldine Castle. Go 1.5 miles (2.41 kilometres), turn right at the crossroads with a letterbox, and follow the brown sign for the site.
Know Before You Go
Barcaldine Castle is not open to the public - permission must be granted to access grounds.
History of Barcaldine Castle
Despite its picturesque location, Barcaldine Castle once took role in the infamous Massacre of Glencoe in the late-17th century. The Campbells abandoned the castle for quite some time, but the family re-purchased the estate around the turn of the 20th century and it has been in their hands ever since.
(Time Line)
-c.1590-1621(Castle Built)
Sir Duncan Campbell, the 7th Laird of Glenorchy, built an L-shaped tower house in a popular style meant to show wealth, as such designs provided little to no defence. Unfortunately, the exact date is unclear, as records are obscure, and much of the prominent information available is in disagreement.
Architectural records contain notes ranging from 1609-1777 related to work carried out at the castle, including multiple repairs to the roof, other general repairs, requests for wrights and masons, with the latest-dated notes about building the Barcaldine House. These details are evidence that Barcaldine was lived in and maintained at these times, though that is all we can conclude for certain.
Notably, there was an order stating, "Boats are to be built to carry limestone and timber and the saw mill is to be kept going for the house would need a great deal and the castle was not to be 'unfurnished' for it." This is a pretty clear indication that the Campbells did not desire to destroy or replace the castle, perhaps with intentions to keep it maintained even after the house was complete.
-1692 (Massacre of Glencoe)
The castle purportedly played a part in the notorious Massacre of Glencoe, used to detain Maclan of Glencoe (part of Clan Donald) and restrict him from pledging allegiance to King William III; his failure to take the oath then led to the well-known killings.
-c.1735 - 1780 (Castle Abandoned)
After construction on the Barcaldine house began, the Campbell's gradually moved out of the castle in favour of the new, more comfortable residence. The castle was eventually abandoned and started to fall into ruin.
Some sources say John Campbell sold the Barcaldine estate to his half-brother Duncan of Glenure for £24,000 in 1775. Supposedly, John sold the estate to help alleviate the financial troubles gained in collecting witnesses and evidence for James Stewart's trial in 1752.
-1836-1843 (Barcaldine Estates Lost)
Sir Duncan, the 1st Baronet, abandoned the Barcaldine house in 1836. He died penniless in Brussels in 1842, and the Estate of Barcaldine left the family with his passing. The castle is reported as ruinous at this time; Donald Charles Cameron soon purchased the estate.
-c.1896-1912 (Castle Reacquired and Restored)
Sir Duncan Campbell, 3rd Baronet of Barcaldine, and Captain Eric, his younger brother, purchased around 300 acres (121.41 hectares) of land from Cameron, which included the castle. They began to rebuild the property and prevent it from falling into disrepair. The gardens were also restored, and the ha-ha wall was constructed at this time.
The castle now operates as a bed & breakfast hotel and wedding venue.
Barcaldine Castle Occupants
Barcaldine Castle was occupied by the Campbell family for about 130 years or more. It passed from heir to heir, serving as the family residence until Barcaldine house was built in the mid-18th century.
The Campbells of Barcaldine was a powerful clan and often appeared in historical tales of murder and betrayal. One notable example is the 1752 murder of Sir Colin Campbell of Glenure, otherwise known as the Red Fox. James Stewart of Appin was framed for Red Fox's murder and hung after convicted at a trial where 12 of the 15 jury members were Campbells. It is said the actual killer's identity was known locally, and the secret was passed through one family.
The story of the Red Fox was adapted by Robert Louis Stevenson in his novel "Kidnapped."
Images of Barcaldine Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Barcaldine Castle Q&A
What Type of Castle Was Barcaldine Castle?
Barcaldine Castle is an L-plan tower house.
When Was Barcaldine Castle First Built?
Sir Douglas Campbell first built the castle either in the late-16th or early 17th centuries, possibly from 1601-1609.
What Was the Main Use of Barcaldine Castle?
The castle was built as a residence for the Campbell family.
How Big Is Barcaldine Castle?
The impressive tower house received minor alterations in the early 18th century, though it mostly stands as it did when first built circa 1600. The L-shaped plan includes a main block and a wing; the main block runs approximately east-west and is around 14 metres (46 ft) by 9 metres (29 ft). On average, the walls are 1.7 metres (5.5 ft) thick. The wing measures 7.3 metres (23.9 ft) by 7.5 metres (24.6 ft).
The entire building comprises a ground level that is vaulted, two upper storeys (unvaulted), and a reconstructed garret. The castle also has two hidden passageways and a bottle dungeon.
Why Was Barcaldine Called "The Black Castle?"
Some suggest Barcaldine got its nickname "The Black Castle of Barcaldine" because of the dark stone used to build the tower house. And this may be partially true, though, with the weatherproofed and plaster-covered walls, this characteristic is no longer featured.
However, the castle's nickname may be more directly tied to its creator, Sir Duncan Campbell, 7th Laird of Glenorchy, who was also known as Black Duncan, Black Duncan of the Cowl, and Black Duncan of the Castles. It seems more likely that the castle obtained the nickname as a reference to its owner; still, the castle's dark appearance may have encouraged this name to stick.
Is Barcaldine Castle Haunted?
With such a blood-stained history, it's not surprising that Barcaldine is believed to be haunted. Indeed, this castle has two resident spooks: Sir Donald Campbell and the "Blue Lady."
It is said that Sir Donald (brother to Sir Duncan, the castle's creator) roams around Barcaldine out of frustration in pursuit of his killer, Stewart of Appin. The "Blue Lady" is either Harriet Campbell or her sister, who can supposedly be heard playing the piano on windy nights.
Guests at the hotel--mainly from the "Caithness" room-- have reported strange occurrences, including waking up in the night feeling pressure on their back or legs like someone is sitting on them. Others have seen unexplained lights moving through the room, and some claim a presence can be felt in the Great Hall. Some even believe the large, black, corner chair has someone sitting on it, and unexplainable blueish outlines occasionally appear in photographs.
A public survey in 2013 sponsored by TripAdvisor voted Barcaldine Castle as the number one haunted B&B, sure to provide any ghost-hunter with an exciting experience.
Can You Visit Barcaldine Castle Without Staying for B&B Accommodations?
Unfortunately, the castle is not open for public viewing; however, the grounds may be accessed with permission. The castle's exterior can be viewed roadside or from the air, but only booked B&B guests are permitted inside. Occasionally, Barcaldine Castle has been known to host ghost-hunter investigations and other events.
Location of Barcaldine Castle
Surrounded by Scotland's impressive countryside, Barcaldine sits on the Loch Creran shores, about 4km from Tralee Beach. Glencoe's snow-capped mountains in the distance create exceptional views from the castle.