Kilchurn Castle is located on shores of Loch Awe.

The castle was built around 1450 by Sir Colin Campbell, first Lord of Glenorchy. The land on which the castle stands had been granted to Colin in 1432 to ensure his loyalty following the sudden death of his elder brother, Gillespic. Colin’s descendants, the Campbells of Glenorchy (later earls of Breadalbane), were the most powerful of the numerous cadets of Clan Campbell. Indeed, there were times when this branch almost rivalled the clan chiefs, the earls of Argyll, for supremacy.

Kilchurn Castle originally consisted of the courtyard and five-storey tower house, containing a hall, private chambers, a cellar and prison. Colin’s son Duncan, the 2nd Lord, added the laich hall in the courtyard before his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Colin, the 6th Lord, added the four angle-turrets on the top of the tower house.

Similar to many other castles, Kilchurn was subject to the changing political climate of early modern British politics. In 1689 Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, 1st Earl of Breadalbane, retired to his ancestral seat and set about converting it into a garrison stronghold. The tower house was converted into accommodation for officers, while a barracks housing 200 men was built on the north side of the courtyard. The barracks block remains relatively complete, and is today the oldest surviving barracks on the British mainland

During the Jacobite rebellions of 1715 and 1745 the castle acted as a government garrison. The Glenorchy-Campbell family continued to own the castle until around 1760. It was abandoned after being permanently damaged by a devastating lightning strike. It then remained largely undisturbed, as it fell apart due to decades of neglect.

Today, Kilchurn is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland. Although it stands open to the elements, several wooden staircases and walkways built into its fabric allow visitors to climb the original five-story tower and other parapets.