Scheduled MonumentsScotlandLochleven Castle

Lochleven Castle

Scotland
HES SM90204
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Lochleven Castle is a late medieval fortress occupying an island in Loch Leven in Kinross-shire, Scotland. The castle was initially constructed in the fourteenth century, though the surviving structures date primarily from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with the distinctive square tower known as the main keep representing the principal surviving element of medieval date. The site holds particular historical significance as the location of Mary, Queen of Scots' imprisonment in 1567 to 1568, an episode that fundamentally altered the political trajectory of Scotland. The castle comprises rubble-built walls and towers strategically positioned on the island, and its water-bound setting provided formidable natural defensive advantages to its medieval occupants.

Lochleven Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM90204. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Lochleven Castle?

Lochleven Castle is a late medieval fortress occupying an island in Loch Leven in Kinross-shire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM90204.

Who is responsible for protecting Lochleven Castle?

Lochleven Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM90204.

What other scheduled monuments are near Lochleven Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Classlochie, ring-ditches 300m ESE of (2.3 km), Hatchbank, souterrains 220m N of and 280m NNW of (3.2 km), Hatchbank, souterrain 450m NNW of (3.2 km).

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