Architecture Notes
Event ID 755322
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Architecture Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/755322
Argyll, Kilchurn Castle.
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February 1998
NMRS NOTES
The South side was built at the beginning of the 16th century, and the North side, the largest and most elegant portion, was erected in 1615 by the First Earl of Breadalbane. The entire pile forms an oblong quadrangle with one corner truncated and each of the other towers flanked by round hanging turrets; it is now a roofless ruin.
EXTERNAL REFERENCE
The National Library of Scotland:
Vol 1, no.27, of Watercolour Sketches by Thomas Brown, Advocate, is a view of Kilchurn.
Reference 'Adv. MSS 34.8.1-3'
See under 'Water Colour Sketches, Series of, by Thomas Brown, Advocate'.
EXTERNAL REFERENCES
Scottish Records Office:
Repair of the Castle 'inwardlie and outwardlie' by Sir Duncan Campbell.
Inventory.
Late 16th c. GD 112/22/4
Repair of the Castle.
Andrews Scott of Perth, wright, reroofed the great tower and angle-turrets and repaired the Laich Hall. Receipts.
1643 GD 112/20/5
*Reconstruction of the Castle. Payments made to Andrew Chrystie, mason and to Thomas Williamson, slater. Glenorchy Rental for 1693.
1697 GD 112/9/3
*(Begun 1690 and involved alterations ot the Tower House and the South-East range. Probably the 'North Chalmeris' was removed at this time to allow reconstruction of barracks RCAHMS).
Condition of Castle Kilchurn.
Note by the Earl of Breadalbane's Commissioners that both house and furniture 'are going to decay'. The Officer of Glenorchy is instructed to make out a report on the state of the house.
1726 GD 112/9/41/ page 199
Reconstruction of the Castle.
Payment made to Andrew Chrystie, mason. Charge and discharge cropt 1694.
1695 GD 112/9/5
Reconstruction of the Castle.
Payments made to Andrew Chrystie, mason. Glenorchy Rental for 1697.
1698 GD 112/9/3
Ironwork supplied to strengthen the fabric of the Castle in the case of attack.
Windows of the lower storey were fitted with 'cross stenchers' and some of the next storey had cross barsor gratings. The Chapel and The Old Tower had already been fitted with stenchers and two irongates supplied.
1733 GD 112/40/9
Alterations to the Castle.
Payment of Andrew Chrystie, mason, for his work at the castle during 1692. Letter concerning this from Sir John Campbell of G;enorchy to Alexander Campbell of Balcardine, his chamberlain.
1693 GD 170/629/38
Alterations to the Castle.
The work of the castle is to be continued. Andrew Christie, mason, is to stay there during the winter but Sir John grudges him his food.
Letter from Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy to Alexander CAmpbell of Balcardine.
1692 GD 170/629/37
Major alterations to the Castle.
Agreements, accounts and discharges.
Master mason: Andrew Christy.
Slater: Thomas Williamson
Plasterer: John Kelly
1690-98 GD 170/203/6
Glazier work at the Castle.
Duncan Fisher writes to say that a glazier is available but first he wishes to know how much work there is to doand how many feet of glass will be needed.
Letter to Balcardine or to Andrew Christie.
1699 GD 170/661/4
Alterations to the Castle.
Wright and plasterer work.
John, Lord Glenorchy, asks Andrew Campbell of Balcardine to keep the Wrights and plasterers busy.
Letter.
1699 GD 170/630/12
Repair of the Castle.
Proposed agreement with the Laird of Luss for the supply of timber.
Letter from Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy to Alexander Campbell of Balcardine, his chamberlain.
1689 GD 170/629/17A
Building work at the Castle.
Letter to Andrew Christie, mason. The Earl of Breadalbane writes that he has instructed barcaldine to dispence with the workmen except those required for burrning lime, furnishing timber and working the sawmill.
1695 GD 170/705
GD112/15 Vouchers of Factors Accounts 1643-1997
50/44 Windows with full 'diamons' 1690
57/33 Work by master mason to the Earl of Breadalbane 1694
58/6 Work by master mason to the Earl of Breadalbane 1695
63/21 Work by master mason to the Earl of Breadalbane 1696
64/12 Working at harling the walls 1696
82/6 Glasswork 1701
295/6 'make up several conveniences for the use of the garrison' 1746
NMRS REFERENCE
Views: View by J. C. Ibbetson/x Soc Antiquities 1814. Sold Sotheby 16 & 17 Nov 1981. Print in NMRS.
NMRS REFERENCE
NMRS Printroom/RIAS Nelson Collection
Engraved Views of Kilchurn Castle, Argyllshire. Insc: 'T. Allom. T. Barber. Kilchurn Castle. Loch Awe. -Earl of Breadalbane at Kelchorn-Castle, in Lochou, Argylshire.'
u.s.
n.d. c.1838
(220 x 206)
Acc. No: 1993/89
