Rathlin Castle
Rathlin Castle was a medieval stone castle on Rathlin Island off the coast of County Antrim, long associated with the Bissett family and later with Robert I of Scotland. It played a role in 14th- and 16th-century conflicts, including the 1306 refuge of Robert Bruce and the 1575 attack and massacre.
Its prime
1306
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1306
The shape it held in its prime.
A compact medieval stone fortress set on the rocky shore of Rathlin Island, built of local dark-grey masonry. At its prime it presented a low, solid silhouette of curtain walls surrounding a cluster of timber-roofed service buildings and a taller stone keep rising above the inner ward. Parapets and wooden hoardings lined the walls; narrow arrow slits and a single defended entrance faced the sea. The castle stood intact and fully manned, directly above rocky foreshore and small landing points.
Its story
The story of Rathlin Castle.
Rathlin Castle, also known as Bruce's Castle, stood on Rathlin Island off the coast of County Antrim. In 1213 it was granted to Donnchad mac Gilla Brigte, passed into the possession of the de Lacys two years later, and later in the century came to the Bissetts — the Scoto-Irish Lords of the Glens of Antrim, who were kin to the Macdonalds.
In 1306, after defeats by Sir Aymer de Valence at the Battle of Methven and by the Lord of Lorne at Strathfillan, King Robert I of Scotland retired to Rathlin Castle for the winter with a small following of his most faithful men — among them James Douglas, Lord of Douglas, his brothers Thomas, Alexander and Edward, Sir Neil Campbell and Malcolm II, Earl of Lennox — welcomed by the Bissetts, owners of the island and castle. The castle figured again in the conflicts of the 16th century, including the attack and massacre of 1575, and is now a ruin.
Step inside
6 places to explore in 1306.
The record describes 6 distinct spots at Rathlin Castle — including 2 interiors: keep great chamber (where bruce wintered), garrison quarters and guardroom. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Rathlin Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1306 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Rathlin Castle.
The families that held Rathlin Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
de Lacy
Held by the de Lacys from 1215 until later in the 13th century.
Bissett
Held by the Scoto-Irish Bissett family, Lords of the Glens of Antrim, from the later 13th century.
