Lochranza Castle - Isle of Arran, Ayrshire UK
Posted by: 
martlakes
N 55° 42.318 W 005° 17.478
30U E 356025 N 6175659
A 13th century hallhouse converted into a towerhouse in the 15th century, abandoned by the 19th century. It sits on a shingle spit projecting into the bay, forming a focal point for the village.
Waymark Code: WM3KVA
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/17/2008
Views: 123
The original fortified residence was a hallhouse – a two-storeyed building with the lord’s lodging on the first floor above an undercroft used for storage. The most likely builder was Sween, Lord Knapdale, in the early 13th century.
When Norway sold the Isles to Scotland in 1266, King Alexander III of Scotland granted Arran to Walter Stewart, earl of Menteith. In the 15th century the hallhouse was in poor state and converted into a towerhouse by one of the Montgomery earls of Eglinton. Two new floors increased the accommodation and the spacious interiors of the old hallhouse were divided into smaller units.
Cromwell occupied it in the 1650s. The Montgomeries lost their estates to the Hamiltons in 1705 who lived in Brodick Castle. By 1897 the castle was empty, which was useful as a violent storm brought down the north-east corner.
Info from the Historic Scotland plaques on site.
The castle can be visited at any time but the inside only by a key which used to be available from the post office. This has now closed and it's not clear who now holds the key. When visited for this waymark the iron door was open.