Strome Castle

A Fortress on the Edge of the Sea

Strome Castle clings to a narrow, rocky headland where Loch Carron meets Loch Kishorn, its ruins silhouetted against the ever-changing sky of the West Highlands. Originally built as a tower house in the mid-15th century, it was constructed to dominate the Strome Narrows, a key sea passage, and to control the ancient ferry crossing that once linked the north and south shores. Its position is both commanding and exposed, surrounded on three sides by steep drops to the water, making it a natural stronghold for whoever held sway over this stretch of coast. The castle’s layout centred on a square tower within a courtyard, a classic Highland tower house design that combined domestic comfort with defensive strength.

Clan Rivalries and Royal Grants

The castle’s history is a microcosm of Highland power struggles. Initially associated with the Lords of the Isles and the MacDonalds of Lochalsh, it later passed to the MacDonalds of Glengarry, who held it as a key outpost in their contested lands. Over the 16th century, it became a pawn in the wider conflict between the MacDonalds and the rising power of the Mackenzies of Kintail. Royal intervention only added to the complexity: King James V granted Strome to the MacDonells of Glengarry in 1539, and later it was briefly held by the Earl of Huntly, reflecting how central Highland castles were to crown policy in the region. For over sixty years, the MacDonells fought to retain Strome against repeated Mackenzie pressure, turning it into a symbol of Glengarry authority on the coast.

The Fall and Destruction of Strome

The castle’s end came in 1602, after a prolonged siege by Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord of Kintail. According to tradition, the garrison’s fate was sealed by a moment of domestic chaos: women drawing water from the castle well accidentally poured it into the barrel of gunpowder instead of the water barrel. The resulting argument was overheard by a Mackenzie prisoner, who escaped and carried the news that the castle’s defences were now useless. Faced with this vulnerability, the MacDonell garrison negotiated safe passage and left. Rather than occupy the castle themselves, the Mackenzies chose to destroy it, blowing up the tower with gunpowder. This act was not just military but symbolic: by reducing Strome to ruins, they broke the MacDonalds’ hold on this strategic point and ensured it could never again serve as a rival stronghold.

Life Among the Ruins Today

Today, Strome Castle is a quiet, windswept site in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. What remains is a courtyard and the lower courses of the tower, its walls weathered by centuries of Atlantic gales. The atmosphere is one of poignant abandonment, where sheep often graze among the stones and the only sounds are the lapping of waves and the cries of seabirds. An information board helps visitors imagine the castle’s original form, and the views across Loch Carron to the Cuillin of Skye are truly spectacular. There are no modern buildings or facilities at the site itself, so a visit feels like stepping into a forgotten corner of Highland history, far from the bustle of modern life.

Visiting the Ruins

The castle is reached via a short walk from the roadside, along a rough track that can be muddy and uneven, especially after rain. The path is not paved, and the final approach involves some uneven ground and a small slope down to the headland. There are no toilets or refreshments at the site, so visitors should come prepared with sturdy footwear, warm clothing, and perhaps a flask and snack. The best times to visit are on clear days when the views to Skye are at their most dramatic, or in the softer light of early morning and late afternoon when the ruins are bathed in golden or silvery light. Because of its exposed position, the weather can change quickly, so flexibility and a sense of adventure are part of the experience.