Castles Near Ullapool: Lochaber Ruins and How to Visit Them

What Kind of Day Out to Expect

Lochaber's castles are ruins now, and they are a pleasure to see from the outside, as the Hidden Scotland survey of castles in Lochaber sets out. Three characters dominate: a tidal-island stronghold, a fort on a sea rock stack and a river-mouth tower house. Each suits a different trip, which is why it pays to choose rather than tick off a list.

The practical trade-offs are consistent. Interiors are shut, access depends on weather and, at the tidal site, on the tide, and the approach roads eat time. Pack for walking on rough ground and wet grass, and carry a torch for short winter afternoons.

Castle Tioram on Loch Moidart: The Clanranald Stronghold

Castle Tioram is the old Clanranald stronghold, standing on a small wooded island where the River Shiel meets Loch Moidart in Moidart. The building was set alight in 1715 and the inside is closed, so there is no hall or stair to explore. What remains is the shell of the walls on its island, reached by a sandy causeway from the shore, which is exactly what makes the walk out worthwhile.

The castle also carries the reputation of Allan MacRuari, the Clanranald chief whose raids kept neighbouring clans alert. Tradition says he once had a plaid laid over him and a piper play a lament to convince approaching MacLean ships he had died. Treat the tale as storytelling rather than verified history, and enjoy it for what it is on the walk out.

Visiting Castle Tioram: Crossing the Causeway

There is no ticket desk, no opening time and no roof to shelter under, so plan the crossing around a low tide and a settled forecast. The tide is the deciding factor here, and it is worth checking a tide table for the Loch Moidart area and noting the timings down, since phone signal on the approach is not guaranteed. If the tide does not suit, the view from the shore is still the point of the trip.

Coroghon Castle on Canna: The Fort on the Rock Stack

Coroghon Castle is a ruined fort clinging to a rock stack above Canna harbour. Tradition holds that Marion MacLeod was imprisoned there, a story worth repeating as legend rather than record. Canna is an island, so this is a ferry day rather than a drive, and the ruin is reached on foot from the harbour side.

Weather decides whether the crossing runs and how comfortable the walk feels. For a different kind of west-coast water day closer to base, Ullapool boat trips make an easier alternative.

Old Inverlochy Castle Near Fort William

Old Inverlochy Castle is a four-towered castle of the 1280s at the mouth of the River Lochy, and it is closed for now for conservation. This is the ruin, not the hotel of the same name, and keeping the two straight saves a wrong turn. Fort William is the natural place to break the drive, with food and fuel before the run back north.

Inverlochy Castle as a Place to Stay

Inverlochy Castle, near Fort William, is the separate castle that takes overnight guests, at the foot of Ben Nevis. Queen Victoria spent a week there, sketching and painting, and called it a lovelier and more romantic spot than any she had seen. It has 17 bedrooms and suites, each with views over the grounds and a private loch.

It suits travellers who want one indulgent night in a historic building on the way south or north. Rates and availability are arranged with the hotel directly, and it is booked as accommodation rather than as a castle visit.

The Tower Above Loch Oich and the Great Glen Ruins

The tower above Loch Oich and the castle by the River Lochy are both closed, so the Great Glen stops are roadside views rather than visits. Pair them with the Glen's lochs and monuments rather than building a day around going inside. For the wider story of the town you are leaving behind, the history of Ullapool sets the scene before you head south.

Walking and Driving Legs from Ullapool

In autumn and winter, daylight is short, so a castle day should start early and finish before dusk. If you would rather not drive the whole way, an organised Ullapool boat trip or a town day is the calmer choice, and our picks for things to do in Ullapool cover both.

Where to Base Yourself Near Tioram

The three good places closest to Castle Tioram are Borradill Cottage, Borradill House and Glenhurich Lodge. Basing yourself out here also puts Loch Shiel and the Ardnamurchan coast within reach, so the drive is not just about one ruin. Book with each property directly for rates and availability.

Nearby History to Pair with the Ruins

If you enjoy comparing ruined castles across the country, castles near Aberdeen and castles near Birmingham give a sense of how much variety the genre holds, from coastal clifftop ruins to town-centre fortresses. The west Highland ruins here are the wildest of the set.

Putting a Day Together

A realistic order is Castle Tioram first, reached while the tide and light are with you, then the drive east to Fort William for a look at Old Inverlochy Castle from the outside. Adding Canna means a ferry and a separate day, so keep it for a trip based nearer the coast. Do look up tide tables, ferry status and road conditions the day before you go, since these are the details that decide the day.

Plan Your Visit

Choose one or two, base yourself close to Tioram if you can, and leave the rest of the trip for the town itself and the loch. Our things to do in Ullapool guide is the place to start.