Achallader Castle

The ruins of Achallader Castle lie next to and partly include agricultural buildings in a working farmyard. The ruins of the late 16th century tower house erected for Campbell of Glenorchy consist of a near complete gable end and one side wall, together with a pile of rubble probably representing the fallen parts of the building. It is accessible on foot, but the castle is very remote – permission ought to be sought from the farmer.

Glenorchy was held by the Campbells from at least the early 15th century, probably much earlier, and was granted to a younger son of the Campbell chief in 1432. It was the seventh laird of Glenorchy – Duncan of the Seven Castles, who is supposedly responsible for building Achallader c1600, although there was an existing building here well before his time. The area was frequently subjected to raids, and it was probably in response to this that the castle was erected. It was attacked in 1603 in yet another raid, damaged by fire in 1646 during a siege by Montrose, and in 1691 documents that indirectly led to the Massacre of Glencoe were signed here. The castle was in ruins by 1710, and never repaired, the Campbells preferring to ensure that Achallader remained a profitable farm.

HES Canmore database entry