Scotland · Ruin
Strome Castle
Strome Castle is a ruined 15th‑century castle on a rocky headland between Loch Carron and Loch Kishorn on Scotland's west coast. Built by the MacDonalds and later contested by other Highland clans, it was besieged and demolished in 1602; today only a courtyard and the remains of a square tower survive as a ruin cared for by the National Trust for Scotland.
Its prime
1600
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1600
What Strome Castle looked like in its prime.
Perched on a rocky, grassy promontory above the sea, the castle in its prime comprised a central courtyard enclosed by low stone curtain walls and dominated by a substantial square stone tower rising above the headland. The masonry is coarse grey local stone; the tower features a large arched opening on its seaward face and small window apertures. The complex sat directly above a rocky foreshore with a narrow path climbing the grassy slope to the walls.
Its story
The story of Strome Castle.
Built by the Lord of the Isles, 15th Century to 1539
Strome Castle was built on the headland between Loch Carron and Loch Kishorn by Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles and Earl of Ross, in the 15th century. By 1472 it belonged to his eldest son, Celestine of Lochalsh of Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh, with Alan MacDonald Dubh, 12th Chief of Clan Cameron, holding it as constable on the Lochalsh MacDonalds' behalf.
In 1539 James V granted the castle to Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, and Hector Munro, I of Erribol, of Clan Munro became constable for the Glengarry MacDonells.
Siege and Demolition After the Battle of Morar, 1602
In the aftermath of the Battle of Morar in 1602, Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Lord Mackenzie of Kintail, chief of Clan Mackenzie, besieged Strome with the support of Clan Matheson and Andrew Munro of Novar. The MacDonells surrendered, and the castle was demolished and blown up. The Glengarry MacDonells built a replacement further inland, Invergarry Castle.
National Trust for Scotland Ownership
The ruined castle was presented to the National Trust for Scotland in 1939, which still owns and operates it. It was scheduled as a monument on 24 January 2000. What survives today is a courtyard and the remains of a square tower.
Step inside
7 places to explore in 1600.
The record describes 7 distinct spots at Strome Castle, including 2 interiors: central courtyard, square tower, upper chamber / roofline. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
Build Your Own Castle
Recreate Strome Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1600, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
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Clans who held Strome Castle.
The families that held Strome Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.
