Minard Castle

Minard Castle, Argyll And Bute Photo © Mike138, 1 June 2007

Minard Castle - Photo © Wendy Kirkwood, Sept. 03

Minard Castle, Argyll And Bute Photo © Patrick Mackie, 9 June 2007

Minard Castle, a mansion, with picturesque grounds, in Kilmichael-Glassary parish, Argyllshire, on the W side of Loch Fyne, 8 miles NE of Lochgilphead and SSW of Inveraray. It was renamed Minard Castle in the mid-nineteenth century, when a new castellated front was added.

The castle was built by the Campbells of Knockbuie in the eighteenth century and the castle was purchased by William Hamilton around 1850. A façade containing a number of large rooms in front of the older structure, designed by architect J.T. Rochead, was added by William Hamilton and the letter H appears a number of times in the newer part of the castle.

John Pender, pioneer of the first transatlantic telegraph cable and founded the Cable and Wireless Company,was the next owner of the property. In 1875 Minard Castle passed into the hands of the Lloyd family. In later years the estate was purchased by the Forestry Commission and later sold to the Holiday Fellowship.

The castle was run as a hotel for a number of years until it was bought in 1974 by its present owner. Today Minard Castle is run as a bed & breakfast.