Castle Stalker - Caisteal an Stalcaire

Castle Stalker (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal an Stalcaire) is a four-storey tower house and is located on a tidal islet on Loch Laich. This is an inlet off the sea loch, Loch Linnhe. The castle is about 2 miles north-east of Port Appin, Argyll, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: An Apainn, Earra-Ghàidheal, Alba). The present castle was thought to have been built in the mid-15th century by the then Lord of Lorn, Sir John Stewart. Prior to this a 12th century smaller fortified building was on the site, constructed by the MacDougalls when were Lords of Lorn at that time.

Lorne or Lorn (Scottish Gaelic: Latharna) is an ancient province in the west of Scotland. The name can be traced back to the 6th century and the time of the Gaelic Kingdom of Dál Riata. In around AD 500, Loarn mac Eirc became King of  Dál Riata. The name Lorn is in reference to King Loarn and his descendants the Cenél Loairn. At its height in the 6th and 7th centuries, the kingdom of Dál Riata covered what is now Argyll in Scotland and part of the county of Antrim (Irish: Aontroim) in the north of Ireland. Dál Riata eventually became connected with the Gaelic Kingdom of Alba (Scotland). 

There is an interesting history of the castle given on this link to the Castle Stalker website.  The castle is privately owned and arrange a limited number of tours each year by prior appointment. The castle is in a picturesque setting castle surrounded by water and can be viewed by users of the A828 road north from Connel on the west coast of Scotland. The island castle is noted as being one of the best preserved medieval tower houses to survive in western Scotland and is a Category A listed building.

Image: Castle Stalker. Picture courtesy wikimedia commons.

Link: Castle Stalker - Caisteal an Stalcaire website.