Ardvreck Castle
Caisteal Àird Bhreac
The ruins of a 16th-century castle on a peninsula in Loch Assynt. Set against lake and mountain scenery, it's one of the most iconic views in the Highlands, and you can reach it right from the roadside.
Ardvreck Castle was built around 1590 as a stronghold of the MacLeod clan. In 1650, the Marquess of Montrose was captured here after his defeat, and he was later executed in Edinburgh. The castle was destroyed by fire in the 18th century, and today only its standing walls remain on a small peninsula jutting into Loch Assynt. With mountains and water behind it, the scene is very photogenic. Nearby are the ruins of Calda House, built in 1726.
The castle is beside the A837 road, about 50 km north of Ullapool. Park and walk about five minutes to reach its base. Entry is free.
Tips: the walls are unstable, so do not climb them. The grass by the loch is often muddy.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Wailing Widow Falls
- Quinag
- Eas a' Chual Aluinn
- Bone Caves of Inchnadamph
- Kylesku Bridge
- Knockan Crag
- Suilven
- Stac Pollaidh