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Visiting Old Inverlochy Castle
Old Inverlochy Castle is a 700-year old medieval construction built on the ruins of a Pictish settlement on the south bank of the River Lochy. It was intentionally built near the entrance to the Great Glen, a critical strategic passage through the Scottish highlands.
Parking
You’ll find parking a short distance away from Old Inverlochy Castle, from where you’ll be required to walk to the ruins. Here’s a list of the parking spots available nearby.
|
Parking Spot |
Availability |
Price |
Distance from ruins |
|
Highland Council Village |
29 Spots |
Free (for 2 hrs) |
30 min. |
|
Banavie Station |
5 Spots |
Free |
45 min. |
|
CP0091 Nevis Centre |
60 Spots |
£2 (for 2 hrs) |
48 min. |
|
Viewforth |
120 Spots |
Free |
34 min. |
|
West End |
270 Spots |
£2 (for 2 hrs) |
38 min. |
|
Fort William Station |
50 Spots |
Free (for 2 hrs) |
55 min. |
Price
Entry to the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle is free.
Opening
The ruins can be explored only during daylight hours, but visitors are welcome anytime throughout the year.
Location & Access
Torlundy, Fort WIlliam PH33, 6TF, UK
Head north from Fort William and take a left at the small roundabout opposite the Nevis Bank Hotel. This route will take you past the Ben Nevis Hotel on your left. Keep going till you get to a left turn right before the Esso Petrol Station. Take a left, and in 100 metres (328.08 ft) you’ll arrive at a bridge. Cross the bridge, and you have reached Old Inverlochy Castle.
Know Before You Go
- You’ll have access to eateries, cafes, and restaurants at Fort William on the way to Inverlochy. However, there are no food stalls or eateries at the ruins.
- Pet owners can take their dogs along to explore the castle ruins as long as they’re restrained on a lead.
- Photos and videos are prohibited without prior permission.
- A walk around the ruins will take 10-15 minutes, so plan an outing with other activities after your visit.
Places To Stay Nearby
Inverlochy Castle hotel lies just a short distance from the ruins and overlooks the most breathtaking views of the Scottish mountains.
Of course, the luxury hotel comes at an exorbitant cost, and if you’re visiting the ruins, it’s best to choose a more affordable option. Here are a few lodgings to choose from:
History of Old Inverlochy Castle (Time Line)
Old Inverlochy Castle was constructed by John ‘The Black’ Comyn, chief of the clan Comyns. The medieval construction was built on an old Pictish settlement that the Vikings destroyed. The castle was the backdrop for two historical battles in Scotland - the First and Second battles of Inverlochy.
-1280 (Castle Built)
Inverlochy Castle is built by the Comyns, a clan that ruled Badenoch and Lochaber.
-1300
Sir John Comyn (clean leader) dies at Inverlochy. His son, also John, is murdered by Robert the Bruce, the future ruler of Scotland.
-1306
Robert the Bruce succeeds the Scottish throne and prioritizes defeating the Comyns.
-1308
Robert defeats the clan Comyns. All their castles and estates, including Inverlochy, fall into the hands of Robert the Bruce.
-1431 (Cameron Clan Obtains Castle)
King James sends the Earl of Mar to fight Alexander McDonald, Lord of the Isles. The Earl camps at Inverlochy Castle with the vast army of King James. The Macdonald clan surprises him with 800 men, defeating King James at the First Battle of Inverlochy.
Control of Inverlochy Castle shifted to the clan Cameron till 1501.
-1505
King James IV grants Inverlochy castle to Alexander Gordon, the third Earl of Huntly, to be turned into a Royal Garrison. Alexander’s brother, William Gordon, becomes master of Inverlochy and is slain in a battle while commandeering the Cameron clan.
After William Gordon’s death, the castle fell into disuse and was used sporadically until the 17th century.
-1645
King Charles sends James Graham (Marquis of Montrose and Captain-General of Scotland) to settle a rebellion raised by the Covenanters. Graham routs the rebels at Inverlochy and defeats them at the Second Battle of Inverlochy.
-1863 (“New” Inverlochy Built)
The site was bought by James Scarlett, the first Baron Abinger. He built a baronial mansion to the north of the castle ruins and named it Inverlochy Castle, while the ruins were renamed to ‘Old Inverlochy Castle’ to distinguish the two.
-1873
Baron Abinger performs minor adjustments to the loops and battlements of Old Inverlochy Castle. Queen Victoria pays a visit to the site and stays in the newly-constructed Inverlochy Castle.
-1969
The mansion built by Baron Abinger is transformed into the Inverlochy Castle Hotel, and Old Inverlochy Castle is opened for viewing throughout the year.
Old Inverlochy Castle Occupants
Inverlochy Castle was occupied by a few of the most powerful Scottish clans, with many decades in between where the castle remained unoccupied.
13th Century
- 1270 - 1300: Occupied by the clan Comyns led by Sir John ‘The Black’ Comyns.
14th Century
- 1308 - 1431: Inverlochy Castle is owned by Robert the Bruce and his successors.
15th Century
- 1431 - 1501: The castle comes under the control of the clan Cameron.
16th Century
- 1505: William Gordon becomes master of Inverlochy and claims ownership of the castle. After his fall, the castle drifts into ruin.
19th Century
- 1863: The castle land is bought by Lord Abinger, who builds a mansion nearby and renames the medieval fort to Old Inverlochy Castle.
- 1873: Queen Victoria pays a visit to Inverlochy and stays in the new Inverlochy Castle, overlooking the ruins.
20th Century
- 1969: The new mansion named Inverlochy Castle is converted into the luxurious Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Images of Old Inverlochy Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Old Inverlochy Castle Facts
- Inverlochy Castle was the site of two famous Scottish battles that would determine the transfer of power in Scotland.
- Inverlochy Castle was constructed to control access to the Great Glen, a strategic point of entry during warfare.
Old Inverlochy Castle Q&A
What Type of Castle Was the Old Inverlochy Castle?
Inverlochy Castle was a stone castle built as a high-status residence by the clan Comyns. It was also built as a fortification to control access to the southwest entrance of Scotland’s Great Glen. Old Inverlochy is classified as a castle of enceinte (fortification) thanks to its high walls and imposing guard towers.
When Was the Castle First Built?
The castle is believed to have been constructed between 1270 and 1280 by John “The Black” Comyn. Old Inverlochy may have been built atop the ruins of a Pictish settlement which was razed by Vikings centuries earlier.
How Big Was the Castle?
Inverlochy Castle comprised a courtyard shaped like a quadrangle, roughly 31 by 27 metres (101.71 by 88.58 ft) in size. The square was enclosed by a wall 7.6 metres (24.93 ft) high and 3 metres (9.84 ft) thick, with circular towers at each corner of the quadrangle.
Three of these towers were 14 feet (4.27 m) high, while the largest (known as the Comyn tower) was 20 feet (6.10 m) with a curved staircase on the inside.
What Was the Primary Use of Inverlochy Castle?
The prime reason for building Inverlochy castle was so the clan Comyns could control access to the Great Glen, a strategic point of entry during warfare. Unfortunately, the Comyn effort failed as they lost their struggle for power with Robert the Bruce.
Does Any of Inverlochy Castle Still Exist?
Inverlochy Castle has been in ruins for over a century now, but much of the basic structure still stands in its crumbling grandeur. You can stay at the 1863 remake of Old Inverlochy, the Inverlochy Castle Hotel, for tariffs ranging from £330 to £760 a night.
Old Inverlochy Castle Location
Old Inverlochy Castle remained unaltered since its construction, until 1863 when it was bought by Lord Abinger.
Today the ruins of the castle lie at Torlundy, Fort William, near the Inverlochy Castle Hotel and are open for viewing.
Location of Old Inverlochy Castle
Other Places To Visit Near Old Inverlochy Castle
It won’t take longer than 15 minutes to tour the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle. So when you’re done, you can visit one of these nearby attractions.
Highland Soap Company Visiting Centre and Larder Cafe
This cozy cafe serves up the best steak sandwiches and even offers a special kids menu for families. And if you’re in the mood to learn a new skill, you can sign up for their soap-making workshop, where you’ll learn to make original-scented soap from scratch!
Ben Nevis Distillery
After you tour the castle ruins, you can visit the famous Ben Nevis Distillery, which has been crafting Scottish whiskey for more than 200 years! And when you are done you can hike Ben Nevis, the mountain which gives the distillery its name.
Lochy Railway Bridge
At this iconic bridge, situated over the Lochy river, you can get a clear view of the Jacobite. Thanks to its picturesque location, the Lochy Railway Bridge has appeared in many feature films. After its appearance in four Harry Potter movies it is now better known as the ‘Harry Potter Express.’
Creag Meagaidh Natural Reserve
Creag Meagaidh Natural Reserve is the perfect spot for nature lovers looking for a complete mountain experience in the Scottish highlands.
Hillwalking, ice climbing, leisurely strolls, birdwatching, and botany are a few of the activities you can indulge in here. The natural reserve is also home to the most magnificent walking and climbing trails in Scotland, with breathtaking views of the highland mountains.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Inverlochy Castle
- Wikipedia: Enceinte
- CastlesFortsBattles.co.uk: Old Inverlochy Castle and the Battles of Inverlochy (1431 and 1645)
- Historic Environment Scotland: Inverlochy Castle: History
- Historic Environment Scotland: Inverlochy Castle
- Inspirock: Visit Old Inverlochy Castle on your trip to Fort William
- Canmore: Inverlochy Castle
- Parkopedia: Inverlochy Castle Parking
- Old Inverlochy Castle: Inverlochy Castle Fort William
- Inverlochy Castle Hotel: Tariff & Special Offers