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Toward Castle is a medieval coastal fortress located on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyllshire, Scotland. The castle dates from the early 13th century and was constructed as a stronghold for the MacDougall clan, who held substantial power in the region during the medieval period. The structure comprises a square stone keep with defensive walls, positioned strategically on a promontory overlooking the Firth of Clyde to command maritime approaches and local waters. The castle remained an important MacDougall possession until the 15th century, after which it fell into decline, though it has survived in substantial ruins that retain architectural elements characteristic of early medieval Scottish fortifications.
Toward Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM300. View the official record →
Toward Castle is a medieval coastal fortress located on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyllshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM300.
Toward 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 SM300.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Tollard House,rock carvings 60m SSE of (1.5 km), Rothesay Castle, castle 75m N of Bute Museum (4.5 km), Knockamillie Castle (4.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Toward Castle's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Toward Castle stands on Southern Highland Group, bedrock that formed in the Middle Cambrian. The rock here is psammite and pelite.