The Kintyre Forum

I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about the history of lochhead (lockhead) castle that used to be in Campbeltown?
All I know is that it was destroyed in the late 17th century. Can anyone tell me a bit about its history, and where in Campbeltown did it used to stand? Any info at all would be gratefully apreciated! All best regards, Joy xx.

You can still see a bit of the walls behind one of the bungalows opposite the cemetary gates

thanks gizmo, i appreciate the info. is it scottish heritage protected or have there been any archeological digs around it?

joyflower wrote:thanks gizmo, i appreciate the info. is it scottish heritage protected or have there been any archeological digs around it?

Its actually in the confines of a garden of a private residence, there are still some parts visible, if memory serves me correctly you can walk round the shore at low tide and see some of the remaining structure.


petewick

thanks for the info petewick, very kind of you.

I think there has been some confusion between Kilkerran Castle and that of Lochend/ Loch head Castle. The castle of Lochend or Loch head stood at the top of the approprietely named Castlehill in Campbeltown. It was razed to the ground after the rebellion of the Duke of Monmeth -- Charles 11 bastard son. He had designs on the crown, but, Charles in his wisdom? decided to award succession to his brother James - V11. The then Duke of Argyll decided to throw his lot in with Monmeth and the rebellion. The standard of rebellion was raised in Campbeltown, and, Dunaverty Castle became another casuality of a disasterious uprising. Both parties lost their heads for their part in the rebellion and the castles of Lochead and Dunaverty were razed to the ground.

Lochead Castle stood on the site of what is now Caslehill Mansions - previously Castlehill Church.

The ruins of Kilkerrran Castle, a much earlier building, stands in the grounds of a private house near Kilkerran Cemetary.

Mack.

Being working on the memory banks and looking at very very old maps which show the actual Castle about 100yds Northwest of the mouth of the burn which runs thru cemetary.I remember playing on a small quarry stone and mortar tower when a kid.This was the Campbeltown Volunteers battery.
It was a castellated tower and had a room on ground floor which was the powder store.There was an area of hardstanding fronted by a wall a few feet high running up towards what I think was Ollars house. This was the hardstanding for the cannons.The old tramp guy with the long hair (cant remember his name) ..Charlie Greenfellow?? used to sleep in there,before my time of course.There was also a flagpole on the site to the South West.
If you keep an eye on Russells Carrolls site at http://campbeltownloch.com/news.php you will find "coming soon for your viewing" a fantastic photo showing the area with a line up of cannons on the hardstanding.In the grounds of Ollars house there was also a lighthouse incidently.The map I refer to is 1700 to 1800 as it shows the other Castle up Askomil (which was a Mac Donald residence )and is associated with Castle Muller at Smerby. So there......

The old maps incidently show the location of the very old Church located in the old Cemetary eg Kilkerran Church which has succumed to time and virtually vanished. Those maps or a link to them will also be on Russells site in time. Many old ruins are also shown eg Ballintuiney township near to Achenhoan Farm the location of which was unknown to me.

Dunc

Checkout Russells site now for really amazing old photos one recently obtained pre-dating MacGrory images.

Trying to find gen on Puball Castle (and coins found there) .This is shown on old maps also on above site...any takers??

Dunc