A nine-minute
ferry trip from Kinross brings one to Castle Island. The castle comprises a 14th
century square keep with curtain walling. The gateway in the wall leads to the courtyard,
and a doorway leads into the vaulted ground floor of the tower.
The third floor, now gone, was
used as Mary, Queen of Scots’ prison cell from 17 June 1567 until 2 May 1568. She had
visited previously in 1563, and on her honeymoon in 1565. One window has an oratory.
Lochleven was built by the
Douglases, who held it until 1672. The Bruces, Grahams and Montgomerys later owned it. It
was taken into state care in 1939. |
