- Lochranza Castle
Lochranza Castle is an L-plan
tower house situated on a promontory in the middle ofLochranza , on the North of theIsle of Arran inScotland . Most of the present castle today was built in thesixteenth century .http://www.castlekirk.co.uk/lochranza.html Retrieved onJune 26 ,2007 ]The original building dates to the
thirteenth century when it was owned by the MacSweens. In1262 , King Alexander III granted the castle and its lands to Walter Stewart, the Earl of Menteith.http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/arran/lochranza/index.html Retrieved onJune 26 ,2007 ] It is believed that Robert the Bruce landed at Lochranza in1306 on his return formIreland to claim the Scottish throne. By1371 , the castle has become the property of Robert II. It is thought that at this time it was used as a royal hunting lodge.The castle has seen many varied uses over time. During the 1490s, James IV used the castle in his campaign against the the
Lord of the Isles and his Clan MacDonald. In1614 it was occupied by James VI and in the 1650s it was used by Cromwell.By
Lochranza Castle is claimed by some to be the inspiration for the castle in the Tintin adventure "
The Black Island ", though it is difficult to see this as other than fantasy, as it looks different and is on a promontory, not an offshore island.Notes
External links
*historic-scotland-link|020
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