Castle
Skipness Castle
SCT Scotland · 13th century
Skipness Castle stands on the east side of the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, near the village of Skipness. Together with the nearby Kilbrannan Chapel it is a scheduled monument.
The main structure of the castle was built in the early 13th century by the Clan MacSween, with later fortifications and other additions made to the castle through the 13th, 14th and 16th centuries.
The castle was garrisoned with royal troops in 1494, during King James IV of Scotland's suppression of the Isles. James IV appointed Duncan Forestar as keeper of the castle. Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll, granted Skipness to his younger son, Archibald Campbell, in 1511.
During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1646, the castle was besieged by forces under the command of Alasdair Mac Colla. During the siege, Alasdair's brother, Gilleasbuig Mac Colla, was killed in August 1646. The castle was abandoned in the 17th century.
Text adapted from “Skipness Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Skipness Castle ranks #3,480 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #119 of the 167 mapped in Scotland. Founded c. 1225, it is older than 75% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 825 atlas entries founded in the 13th century. 4 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Glasgow, 69 km away. See how Scotland compares in the castle statistics.
View on the interactive castle map →Frequently asked questions
Where is Skipness Castle?
Skipness Castle stands in Scotland, at 55.768°, -5.3364°.
When was Skipness Castle built?
The atlas dates its founding to c. 1225. Earlier structures may have stood on the site; this is the earliest documented founding year.
How famous is Skipness Castle?
In this atlas's fame ranking: #3,480 of 7,738 worldwide, and #119 in Scotland. Fame here combines how many Wikipedia language editions cover a landmark with how many people read them.
What is the nearest castle to Skipness Castle?
Lochranza Castle, about 8 km away.
More castles in Scotland
- New Slains Castle Scotland · 16th century
- Dunollie Castle Scotland · 13th century
- Castle Fraser Scotland · 15th century
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