Lochranza Castle

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Lochranza Castle is an L-plan tower house situated on a promontory in the middle of Lochranza, on the North of the Isle of Arran in Scotland. Most of the present castle today was built in the sixteenth century.^[1]

The original building dates to the thirteenth century when it was owned by the MacSweens. In 1262, King Alexander III granted the castle and its lands to Walter Stewart, the Earl of Menteith.^[2] It is believed that Robert the Bruce landed at Lochranza in 1306 on his return form Ireland to claim the Scottish throne.^[2] By 1371, the castle has become the property of Robert II.^[2] 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.^[2] In 1614 it was occupied by James VI and in the 1650s it was used by Cromwell.^[2]

By 1705, Lochranza Castle had become the property of the Hamilton family, when it was purchased by the Duchess of Hamilton.^[3] The Hamilton family had owned other estates on the Isle of Arran.^[1] During the eighteenth century, the castle fell into disuse and disrepair and was abandoned. The castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland.^[3]

Lochranza Castle is claimed by some to be the inspiration for the castle in the Tintin adventure The Black Island^[2], though it is difficult to see this as other than fantasy, as it looks different and is on a promontory, not an offshore island.

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