Lochnell Castle
Lochnell Castle is a 16th Century Castle that sits on Ardmucknish Bay near Benderloch, in Scotland.
History
Before the Castle
The earliest recorded occupation on the current site dates back to around the 6th century with a Saint Columba cell. Parts of this cell are still visible in the under-croft of the Chapel and under the main part of the castle. The medieval chapel, to the rear of the castle, was built in the 15th century.The Castle
Lochnell Castle was built by Archibald Campbell the 5th Earl of Argyll in 1587. The house was built by Sir Duncan Campbell, 7th of Lochnell. The castle served as the family seat of Clan Campbell of Lochnell.[Image:Lady Margaret's Tower 2023.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Lady Margaret's Tower]
Between around 1737 and 1739, the castle was altered and enlarged by the erection of a new dwelling-house to the south-east of this earlier main building. In around 1818-20, the castle was remodelled again into a Georgian style manor house. General Campbell reportedly spent £15,000 on an enlargement of the manor house. In the 18th Century, a folly named Lady Margaret's Tower was constructed on the top of a nearby hill on the Lochnell Castle estate grounds. The castle was damaged by a fire in the second half of the 19th century, but has since been mostly restored. There is conflicting information about the dates of the fire with Cochrane Heritage stating that there was a fire in either 1859 or 1885, whilst James Miller stated in his 1877 book that there was a fire in 1850. The Ancient Yew Group states that there were at least two fires at Lochnell Castle but there could have also been a third fire.
In 1912, the estate was purchased by Thomas Cochrane, 13th Earl of Dundonald. The Cochrane family sold the estate in 1949, following its requisition as a brigade headquarters during World War II before the family repurchased the estate in 1962. The Castle is now a family seat of Clan Cochrane and the Earl of Dundonald.