Mains Castle, Perthshire
Location | Ardeonaig, between Kenmore & Killin |
Road | B road south of Loch Tay |
SatNav | FK21 8SU |
Mains Castle on the edge of Loch Tay is a 16th century unvaulted rectangular tower house, now sadly very ruined.
The ruins can be found on farmland near the Ardeonaig Burn that runs into Loch Tay.
Park at or near Ardeonaig Hotel and cross the bridge and take a footpath down along the burn into the woods with the farmers field on your right hand-side. You will eventually find the ruin. Be mindful this is on private farm land with livestock, so secure any gates.
A beautiful location with stunny scenery.
~ History ~
1425 ~ At a very early period the whole of the lands of Ardeonaig was in the possession of the old Earls of Lennox. Duncan, the eighth Earl, has three daughters, the eldest of whom is Isabella, Duchess of Albany, whose husband and both sons are executed.
1661 ~ Patrick, son of Sir Duncan Campbell, seventh laird of Glenorchy is killed at Ardeonaig in an encounter with a band of Macgregors whose land he has taken.
Alexander, second son of Patrick, is the first of the Campbells of Ardeonaig. He marries into the local Glenlyon family, his wife being a daughter of Captain Robert Campbell of Glencoe notoriety.
1720 ~ Alexander Campbell is succeeded by his His eldest son, Colin, as second laird of Ardeonaig. He marries Catherine, daughter of Campbell of Duneaves, by whom he has six sons.
1734 ~ Colin Campbell runs into monetary difficulties and is forced to sell much of his estates to the Campbell's of Breadalbane. Mains castle is later abandoned. The castle is allowed to fall into ruin with much of its stonework robbed for other buildings.