Lennox Castle,
Inchmurrin Island
Loch Lomond
Scotland Scotland

Inside the castle, Ben Lomond in the distance.

There had been a castle on this site at least since 1393. It is built on the South West shore of Inchmurrin on a natural rocky outcrop with slopes to the North West and South East, with a defensive ditch to the East facing inland.

Today it is overgrown and ruinous and has that same romantic atmosphere which first inspired the imagination of poets, artists and writers of the 18th and 19th century.

The main block of the castle was composed of 3 rooms, and there are traces of other out buildings and possibly a small courtyard.

It was probably built for Duncan, 8th Earl of Lennox whose seat was Balloch Castle at the south end of Loch Lomond, and was probably a hunting lodge for the deer park established on the island by King Robert I in the early 1300's.

The arched window was built above an archery or window slit.

16th Century key found at the castle.

Lady Isabella, daughter of Duncan, the 8th Earl of lennox, married Duke Murdoch of Albany and in 1425 witnessed the execution of her father, husband and two of her sons at the hands of King James I. She was imprisoned in Tantallon castle in East Lothian, but later relesaed and spent the remainder of her days on Inchmurrin.

Others who have stayed at, or have been entertained at Inchmurrin Castle:
James IV, 1506.
Mary Queen of Scots, 1563.
James VI, 1617.

(Right) The Ben, one of the self catering rental accommodations available on the island, is just beneath the castle.