Introduction

Tonight, I am focusing on a fascinating Scottish castle, located south of Mallaig on Loch Moidart in the Scottish Highlands.

Information on the castle

Castle Tioram, (pronounced “Chee-rum”) dates from the 13th century and was closely connected with Clan Ranald. This clan is, in turn, a junior branch of Clan Donald, one of Scotland’s largest clans.

Like many medieval castles, Tioram is now located in an isolated spot but in its heyday commanded an important water communication route and the entrance to Loch Shiel. (It was via Loch Shiel that Bonnie Prince Charlie reached the mainland in 1745 to raise his standard.)

The castle is located on Eilean Tioram or the ‘dry island’ which is accessed by a tidal causeway. The castle was occupied until the 18th century but was abandoned and is now a ruin, albeit a substantial one. To reach the castle entails a long drive. However, castle enthusiasts and aficionados of Clan Ranald will be rewarded. The castle displays a long period of occupation as manifested in the varied architecture styles.

Here is a video clip of the castle exterior and local landscape

Here is a video clip of the castle interior

Visiting

From Mallaig, a trip to the castle entails a thirty-six mile journey directly south which follows a coastal route. Alternatively, the trip from Fort William is thirty-nine miles in a westerly direction.