Clunie Castle is a late 15th century tower house located on a small island near the south shore of the loch surrounded by trees and only accessible by boat. There is also a second castle, referred to as The Ward, located high on the south-west side of the loch containing fragments of a massive tower. It is reputed to be to be the site of King Kenneth MacAlpin, first King of Scotland as a hunting lodge and then later by King Malcolm Canmore as a fortified palace. The Loch of Clunie is located on an east-west route between Dunkeld and Forfar. There is evidence of occupation since the Iron Age and the site later became incorporated into a Royal forest.

You can walk to Castle Hill from the lane that heads down to Clunie Church from a car park that has been provided near a barrier to the lane. The footpath can be found on your right and takes you up to the summit of the old castle from where you can see the fortified tower house set on its island. There is also a road that takes you round the loch where you can also get glimpses of the island. A really lovely and peaceful location full of history.

~ History ~

AD 849 ~ A fortified hunting lodge on the edge of the loch within the great forest is built for Kenneth MacAlpin, years after the site had been attacked and destroyed by Vikings.

1141 ~  Clunie Castle is recorded as being held by the Scottish Crown.

1296 ~ Following the English victory over the Scots at the Battle of Dunbar, the castle is occupied by King Edward I and his soldiers for four nights.

1377 ~ King Robert II appoints John de Roos as keeper of Clunie Castle (The Ward).

1460's ~ The loch and island are held by the Gray and Herings families. 

1501 ~ Bishop Brown builds a fortified tower house and a chapel out on the loch, using stone from the old castle. The island had previously been used as a base for brigands and robbers during a period when ownership of the island had been is dispute.

1513 ~ Four men are employed to clear the remaining rubble from the old ruined castle upon the hill.

1543 ~ A dispute between Bishop George Crichton and John Hamilton see's the Hamilton's take and hold the island by force for a period of four years.

1562~ Lord Advocate Crichton of Elliock is granted Clunie by his kinsman Bishop Crichton and sets about further building work to the tower house. James Crichton later known as the Admiral Crichton spends much of his youth growing up at the castle.

1580 ~ Aged just twenty James Crichton sets out on his continental travels, speaking twelve languages, as well as being a skilled swordsman. 

1583 ~ James is killed in a duel aged just 23.

1892 ~ The estate passes to Cox of Lochlee from the Ogilvies who had made repairs to the castle following a period of occupation by Jacobite forces in the previous century.

1960's ~ The tower house is burnt out, loses its roof and later vandalised, left to fall into ruin.