Kilmartin House
Kilmartin
Argyll
w: Website
Carnasserie Castle
A combined tower house and hall, now a well preserved ruin, situated on top of a ridge at the head of Kilmartin valley. It was built by John Carswell, Bishop of the Isles between 1565 and 1572 and was partly remodelled in the late 17th century.
Exterior
The building consists of a five-storey tower with parapet, three-storey hall and four-storey stair tower. The construction is lime-mortared random rubble and it was originally harled. Architectural details to note are corbelled angle turrets on the tower, carved waterspouts and various horizontal gun ports and vertical pistol loops. There is also an elaborately carved architectural frame above a doorway in the east wall of the staircase tower which incorporates a shield with the arms of Archibald Campbell 5th Earl of Argyll and his wife Jean Stewart, daughter of King James V.
Interior
The building had a vaulted service basement, which included the kitchen, where an arched fireplace, oven and water inlet (carved as an open-mouthed face) can be seen. The floors above had joisted wooden ceilings supported on runner-beams and corbels. Most of the upper chambers had their own garderobe. Architectural details to note include various doorways and fireplaces with moulded surrounds in the upper floors of the tower and hall.
Access / Ownership
The site is owned by Historic Scotland and is open to the public.
Opening Times
Open all year.
Admission
Admission free.
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