Rossdhu Castle, Argyle and Bute
Location | Loch Lomond Golf Course, Luss |
Road | A82 |
SatNav | G83 8NT |
Rossdhu Castle is located on the exclusive Loch Lomond golf course, near the mansion and club house. There is a public right of way from the gated access road, where there is limited parking and a pathway to the side gate that leads into the grounds. Please do take care and keep to the path as this is a busy golf course.
The name Rossdhu means black or dark headland. To the north of the castle ruin can be found St Mary's chapel, rebuilt when the tower was erected, replacing an earlier 12th century building. It is the final resting place of several Colquhoun clan chief's.
~ History ~
1563 ~ Mary Queen of Scots, spends three nights at Rossdhu Castle as part of her progress into the West Highlands. During her stay she knights John Colquhoun of Luss.
1600 ~ The Colquhoun's of Luss build a new tower in stone on the southern shore of Loch Lomond, to replace an earlier stronghold on Eilean Rossdhu, located in the bay of the loch.
1603 ~ Alexander Colquhoun leads his clan into battle against their bitter neighbours Clan MacGregor, in the Battle of Glenfruin. The opposing commander Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae commands a force of MacGregor's, Cameron's, Robertson's, MacDonald's and MacLean's.
A long standing fued had originated when two MacGregor men returning home to the head of Loch Rannoch from Glasgow, had requested food and shelter at Luss from the Colquhoun's. The accepted tradition among all Highland clans was that whoever sought food and shelter, no matter their clan or allegiance, hospitality would always be granted. Their request was refused because they were MacGregor's. They were forced to find shelter in an empty hut where they killed a lamb for food. Alexander Conquhoun, 17th Lord of Luss, had the two men apprehended and executed for killing one of his lambs. Word reached their clan chief, Alasdair MacGregor.
Alasdair led a raiding party of eighty men and attacked the Colquhoun lands around Rossdhu Castle, killing two people and driving off three hundred cows, one hundred horses, four hundred sheep, and four hundred goats.
In response to this raid, King James VI granted Colquhoun letters of Fire and Sword to move against the MacGregor's. The King having been swayed to the decision when presented with shirts of the fallen Coluhoun's, dipped in sheeps blood, carried by sham Colquhoun widows into Stirling Castle.
Angered by the King's commission against him and determined to enact revenge, Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae at the head of 400 men armed with “hagbuts, pistols, murrions, mailcoats, axes, two-handed swords and darlochs”.
On 7 February, they enter the head of Glen Fruin overlooking Colquhoun’s most arable farmland. On hearing of the threat approaching Alexander Colquhoun summons his retainers and men from Dumbartonshire – a force of around 300 horse and 500 foot – and heads out to meet them.
MacGregor splits his force sending his brother John Dubh to Strone Farm to be in a position to cut off Colquhoun’s retreat down Glen Fruin while he takes up position in a narrow defile in Auchengeich Glen ready to meet the expected attack.
As Colquhoun’s men move on MacGregors position they find themselves struggling across a bog, with the horsemen at a severe disadvantage. MacGregor launches a charge downhill and in the bloody melee rout Colquhoun’s force, with over eighty Colquhoun's slain. Alexander Colquhoun flees the battle and makes for the refuge of Bannachra Castle at the foot of the glen.
On hearing of the battle, a furious King James VI gives orders “That unhappie and detestable race” be ‘extirpat and ruttit out”.
On 3 April, an Act of the Scottish Privy Council proscribes the use of the name MacGregor, or Gregor, and also prohibited those who had borne the name from carrying arms.
1604 ~ Alasdair Macgregor of Glenstrae is apprehended and after a trial is executed in Edinburgh.