Castle Stalker

Scotland > West of Scotland > Argyll > Castle Stalker

Castle Stalker , in the Gaelic, Stalcaire, meaning Falconer, is believed to have been the site of a small fortified fort belonging to the MacDougalls the then Lords of Lorn, built around 1320. The MacDougalls lost their title after their defeat by King Bruce at Brander Pass in 1308 but regained it for a period after 1328. Around 1388 the Lordship of Lorn passed to the Stewarts and the lands including Castle Stalker.

It is believed that Castle Stalker in almost its present form, was built by the then Lord of Lorn, Sir John Stewart in 1446. Standing dramatically on a small island in a magnificent location, 25 miles from Oban.

In around 1620 the Castle passed into the hands of the Campbells of Airds as a result of a drunken wager by the 7th Stewart Chief, Duncan.

In 1908 the Castle was bought from the Campbells by Charles Stewart who purchased it and carried out some basic preservation work to stop its decay.

In 1965 Lt. Col. D. R. Stewart Allward purchased the Castle and spent the next ten years rebuilding and restoring it as it is today. It is now fully habitable. The restoration was carried out by Lt. Col. Stewart Allward personally with the help of his wife, family and friends who were willing to spend holidays and long weekends helping with the restoration. He died in 1991.