Castle Tioram

Castle Tioram stands on the tidal island Eilean Tioram in Loch Moidart, a ruined stronghold once held by Somerled in the 12th century. The fortress overlooks the entrance to Loch Shiel and was the seat of Clanranald for generations. Locally it is also called Dorlin Castle, though its name means ‘dry castle’ in Scottish Gaelic. The island is one of seventeen in Scotland that can be reached on foot when the tide is low. A causeway links the shore to the ruins, but the interior remains closed for safety. The castle is recognised as a scheduled monument and appears in Highlander: The Series. The site’s history is tied to Clann Ruaidhrí and later to Áine Nic Ruaidhrí, who tradition credits with building the castle. Allan Macdonald of Clanranald seized it back from the government in 1715 and set it alight to stop its use by Hanoverian forces. After the Jacobite rising it was never lived in again, though some reports mention later use for storing weapons. In 1997 plans to turn it into a clan centre were refused because of its fragile state. A section of wall collapsed in 2000 and was repaired, yet the structure remains dangerous. Visitors walk across the tidal causeway to the island and see the roofless walls rising above Loch Moidart. The outer curtain wall still stands firm, though parts have slipped into the loch. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland holds detailed records of the castle drawn by its owners. Beyond the ruins the view stretches over the silver water to the hills beyond Acharacle. The silence is broken only by the cry of seabirds and the lap of waves against the stones.