Clunie Castle

Clunie Castle is reduced to small fragments of masonry, although it was once a large and important royal property which was in use as early as the 9th century. It sits adjacent to the old church of Clunie, overlooks the loch of the same name, and is publicly accessible, although sometimes overgrown.

The low hill that the castle is sited on has multiple earthworks, and the castle itself appears to have been a stone walled courtyard with a gate complex at the southern end of the hill. In 1296 Edward I stayed at Clunie, indicating that it was an important royal centre, but it was probably never reoccupied after destruction during the Wars of Independence. By the late 15th century it was held by the Bishops of Dunkeld, and it is very likely that the masonry of the ruins was the primary source of material for the 16th century tower house in the island in the loch.

HES Canmore database entry