Inverlochy Castle

Inverlochy Castle is a ruined 13th-century fortress near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. It stands on the south bank of the River Lochy at the entrance to the Great Glen, a historic route through the mountains. The castle was built by John ‘the Black’ Comyn around 1270–1280 and has remained largely unchanged since then. Two important battles were fought nearby in 1431 and 1645. The site is now protected by Historic Environment Scotland. The castle’s defences include a thick curtain wall up to 7.6 metres high and a water-filled ditch on three sides. The quadrangular courtyard measures 31 by 27 metres and is enclosed by walls up to 2.7 metres thick. Round towers stand at each corner, with the largest known as the Comyn Tower serving as the keep. The main entrance to the south and a water gate to the north were both protected by portcullises. Visitors find a scheduled monument of simple but strong design. The ruins show the original layout clearly, with stairways winding inside the thick walls. The River Lochy adds to the setting, once providing part of the castle’s defences. Nearby, a 19th-century mansion now operates as a hotel, linking past and present. The castle’s unaltered state offers a rare glimpse of 13th-century military architecture.