Visit Tarbert Castle

Castle Ruins Associated With Robert The Bruce

Tarbert Castle is not a huge impressive and the most well known castle in Scotland, but it does have some interesting history, particularly with Robert The Bruce, once King of Scotland.

The remains consist of a keep with dungeon (not open to the public) and the walls which have been overlayed with hessian to protect them until enough money is available to recreate the stone walls now under grass.

Unusually there are wild sheep now in a metal fenced pen which goes around the castle grounds. These sheep purpose are to eat the grass to cut down on labour costs of cutting the grass, although a shepherd has had to be employed particularly as now there are young sheep too.

The down side though is that because of natural deer tracks and runs have for decades gone through the castle grounds unfortunately deer have been heard running into the fence and several have had to be put down due to life threatening injuries (I am unsure if a full wildlife impact study was completed prior to the installation of the fences, complaints and queries should be sent to Tarbert & Skipness Community Trust ).

Work is undergoing to mantain the keep from further deterioration which is likely to last for a number of years, so photographers should be aware that photo opportunities will be limited due to scaffolding (2010 - 2012).