Inverlochy Castle
27 minute walk from Banavie station · Highlands and Argyll
Inverlochy Castle is a historic 13th-century ruin located on the south bank of the River Lochy in the Scottish Highlands. Built circa 1270 by John "the Black" Comyn, this site is uniquely significant because it has remained largely unchanged since its original construction.
The castle is famous for its strategic importance at the entrance to the Great Glen and as the site of two major battles. Visitors can explore a classic castle of enceinte, featuring a substantial curtain wall and a quadrangular courtyard. Notable features include the large Comyn Tower, which served as the keep, and round towers at each corner containing stairways built directly into the thick walls.
While walking through the grounds, you can see the remnants of the main southern entrance and the northern "water gate" that faces the river. The estate also features a Scottish baronial style mansion to the north-west, where loops and battlements were restored in the 19th century ahead of a visit by Queen Victoria.
Currently, some of the castle grounds are open for you to explore while the castle itself is currently closed and can be viewed through protective fencing while Historic Environment Scotland carries out vital conservation work.
Visitor information
- Place type
- Castle
- Good for
- Architecture, Castles, Lochs, rivers & waterfalls, Military history
- Characteristics
- Medieval, Nationally significant, Riverside, Ruin, Victorian
- Admission
- Paid admission
- Region
- Highlands and Argyll
Stations within walking distance
- Banavie station — 27 min walk, 2.1 km
- Fort William station — 29 min walk, 2.4 km
- Corpach station — 40 min walk, 3.3 km
Other places near Banavie
- Neptune's Staircase and the Canal, Banavie — 3 min walk from the station
- Ben Nevis Distillery — 23 min walk from the station
- Cow Hill circuit, Fort William — 2 min walk from the station
- GGW 1: Fort William to Gairlochy — 4 min walk from the station
- The Old Fort and Inverlochy Castle, Fort William — 4 min walk from the station
- Fort William to Spean Bridge — 5 min walk from the station