# Tarbert Castle

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{infobox military installation
| name          = Tarbert Castle
| native_name   = 
| partof        = 
| location      = [Tarbert](/source/Tarbert%2C_Kintyre), [Kintyre](/source/Kintyre), Scotland
| image         = File:Argyll and Bute - Tarbert Castle - 20220920131143.jpg
| caption       = Tarbert Castle
| map_type      = Scotland Argyll and Bute
| map_size      = 
| map_alt       = 
| map_caption   = 
| type          = 
| coordinates   = {{coord|55.863611|-5.408611|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| code          = 
| built         = 
| builder       = 
| materials     = 
| height        = 
| used          = 
| demolished    = 
| condition     = Ruin
| ownership     = 
| open_to_public = Yes
| controlledby  = 
| garrison      = 
| current_commander = 
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}}

thumb|300px|Tarbert Castle in 2008 before restoration works
'''Tarbert Castle''' is located on the southern shore of East Loch Tarbert, at [Tarbert](/source/Tarbert%2C_Kintyre), [Argyll](/source/Argyll), [Scotland](/source/Scotland), at the north end of [Kintyre](/source/Kintyre). Tarbert Castle was a strategic royal stronghold during the Middle Ages and one of three castles at Tarbert. The castle overlooks the harbour and although pre 14th century in construction, the tower dates back to 1494 and the visit of [James IV](/source/James_IV_of_Scotland) to the Western [Highlands](/source/Scottish_Highlands).

==History==
In 712, Tarbert was burned by King [Selbach mac Ferchair](/source/Selbach_mac_Ferchair) of [Cenél Loairn](/source/Cen%C3%A9l_Loairn) and of [Dál Riata](/source/D%C3%A1l_Riata) and in 731 by his son, [Dúngal mac Selbaig](/source/D%C3%BAngal_mac_Selbaig).<ref>{{cite book |title=Annals of Ulster AD 431-1201 (vols. 1 and 2) |year=2009}}</ref>

[King Edward I](/source/Edward_I_of_England) of [England](/source/England) handed control of the castle to the Scottish King [John II de Balliol](/source/John_II_de_Balliol) in 1292. A fortified structure was built in Tarbert during the 13th century. It was reinforced with the addition of an outer [bailey](/source/Ward_(fortification)) and towers in the 1320s by [Robert the Bruce](/source/Robert_the_Bruce). A tower house was added in the 16th century, which is the most noticeable part of the remains. The castle occupies high land above the village, providing views up [Loch Fyne](/source/Loch_Fyne) and beyond to the [Firth of Clyde](/source/Firth_of_Clyde). This castle was captured from [John MacDonald of Islay, Lord of the Isles](/source/John_of_Islay%2C_Earl_of_Ross) by [James IV of Scotland](/source/James_IV_of_Scotland) as part of his campaign to destroy the power of the [Lords of the Isles](/source/Lords_of_the_Isles) in 1494. In 1687, the castle was involved in another skirmish when [Walter Campbell](/source/Walter_Campbell_of_Skipness) of [Skipness Castle](/source/Skipness_Castle) seized it as a stronghold for [Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll](/source/Archibald_Campbell%2C_9th_Earl_of_Argyll) as part of actions in support of the [Monmouth Rebellion](/source/Monmouth_Rebellion) in [England](/source/England).

There are only a couple of standing walls left. The castle has a commanding view of the water approaches.

Now owned by the community and part of a volunteer-maintained heritage park.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

==Constables of Tarbert Castle==
*John de Lany 1326<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clanmacmillan.org/History/History-Knapdale.htm |title=The MacMillans in Knapdale |accessdate=2009-07-15 |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120729154241/http://www.clanmacmillan.org/History/History-Knapdale.htm |archivedate=2012-07-29 }}</ref>
*Charles MacAlister 1481

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*David Hicks (1982), The Highland Clans, {{ISBN|978-0-09-144740-3}}
*Annals of Ulster, AD 431-1201 (vols. 1 and 2) [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100001A edition] and [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A translation]

==External links==
*[http://www.tarbertlochfyne.com/viewtarberthistory.php?name=royalcastle Tarbert Royal Castle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212111/http://www.tarbertlochfyne.com/viewtarberthistory.php?name=royalcastle |date=3 March 2016 }}
*[http://www.tarbertcastle.info Tarbert's Royal Castle (official website)]

{{coord|55|51|49|N|5|24|31|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}

{{Portal bar|Scotland|United Kingdom|History|Architecture}}

Category:Ruined castles in Argyll and Bute
+
Category:Kintyre
Category:Scheduled monuments in Argyll and Bute

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tarbert Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarbert_Castle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarbert_Castle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.