 Carnasserie Castle - Photo © fuzzytnth3, 4 july 2006 |
 Carnasserie Castle - Photo © fuzzytnth3, 4 july 2006 |
 Carnasserie Castle - Photo © timo w2s, 28 May 2009 |
The castle was built by reforming churchman John Carswell, who was Rector of Kilmartin, Chancellor of the Chapel Royal at Stirling, and later titular Bishop of the Isles. Carswell published the first book in Scottish Gaelic, a translation of John Knox's Book of Common Order. Construction began in 1565 using masons brought from Stirling. Although the castle was notionally built for Carswell's patron, the Earl of Argyll, he intended it as a personal residence for himself.
On Carswell's death in 1572, the castle passed to his patron, the Earl of Argyll. Later, in 1643, the 8th Earl of Argyll sold Carnasserie to Sir Dugald Campbell, 3rd Baronet of Auchinbreck. Following the 9th Earl's failed uprising in support of the Monmouth Rebellion, against James VII in 1685, the castle was blown up by Royalist forces. Although the outer walls remain largely undamaged, the ruins were never repaired. In the 19th century the estate was sold to the Malcolms of Poltalloch, who also own nearby Duntrune Castle. Today it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of Historic Scotland (no entrance fee; open in summer).
Architecture
 Carnasserie Castle - Photo © fuzzytnth3, 4 july 2006 |
 Carnasserie Castle - Photo © fuzzytnth3, 4 july 2006 |
Carnasserie has only ever been slightly altered, in the late 17th century, and so presents an accurate picture of 16th century architecture. Although sited on raised ground close to a strategic pass at the head of Kilmartin Glen, it was designed more for domestic rather than military purposes.
The castle comprises a 5 storey tower house, with a longer three storey hall
house, providing a substantial range of accommodation. At basement level are
the remains of cellars and a kitchen with a large fireplace and water inlet.
Above this is the large hall. This is connected to a large drawing room in the
tower house, which retains its stone floor and large fireplace with carved stone
decoration. A broad stair rises from the entrance to the hall, contained in
a small tower to the north-west. A second smaller stair leads up from the hall
to the parapet walk on three sides of the tower house. Upper rooms would have
contained bedrooms
The exterior displays numerous "double keyhole" gunloops, as well as decorative
string courses and corbelling. Over the entrance are blank panels framed by
carved supports, as well as the arms of the 5th Earl of Argyll with the motto
DIA LE UA NDUIBHNE, "God be with O'Duine", referring to the semi-legendary ancestors
of Clan Campell. At the top of the tower are the remains of open rounds along
the parapet, and a caphouse above the stair. Fragments of carved drain spouts
have been found, and are on display in the cellars.
 Carnasserie Castle, Argyll And Bute Photo © Mike Searle, 8 September 2008 |
 Carnasserie Castle, Argyll And Bute Photo © Mike Searle, 8 September 2008 |
 Carnasserie Castle, Argyll And Bute Photo © Mike Searle, 8 September 2008 |
To the south and west is a partially walled courtyard garden. An archway bears the inscription SDC LHL 1681, for Sir Duncan Campbell, 4th Baronet and Lady Henrietta Lindsay, whose support for Argyll's uprising led to the castle's destruction.
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