Castle MacEwen

Castle MacEwen stands on the eastern shore of Loch Fyne in Argyll and Bute, about five kilometres south of Otter Ferry. The ruins sit near the village of Kilfinan, on a promontory that once held a medieval dun. Excavations by the Cowal Archaeological Society in 1968–69 showed the site began as a palisaded enclosure. A later fort was built over this, then turned into a homestead using the old walls. Passages leading to the sea were found on the north and south sides of the structure. The castle is linked to Clan MacEwen, who lived in the Loch Fyne area for centuries. In 1432, Swene MacEwen of Otter surrendered his barony to King James I. The king later granted the lands to Celestine Campbell, and when Swene died in 1493, the castle passed to Clan Campbell. Artefacts from the site include a 12th-century crucifix, a 15th-century groat, and pottery from the 13th and 18th centuries. These finds were sent to Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum for study. Visitors reach the ruins by walking from the nearby road through quiet woodland. The remains include sections of the ancient ramparts and a round house with a cobbled floor near the gateway. A boat-shaped building was found just outside the main rampart, though its purpose remains unclear. The site overlooks Loch Fyne, offering views of the water and surrounding hills. The ruins stand as a reminder of the site’s long history, from a fortified dun to a medieval homestead.