Balloch Castle
Encyclopedia
Balloch Castle is a building situated on the southern tip of Loch Lomond
in the Balloch Country Park
, in West Dunbartonshire
, Scotland
.
The castle was built as a residence in 1808 by the architect Robert Lugar
at the order of John Buchanan of Ardoch, a partner in the Glasgow Ship Bank. This listed building is an early example of the Scottish baronial style
popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The building's turrets and lancet window
s are purely decorative.
The new castle used stone from an earlier castle built near the current site by the Earl of Lennox
in 1238 and occupied by the Lennox family until approximately 1390. Situated nearer the water than the present day castle, the earlier structure was abandoned in favour of stronghold on the island of Inchmurrin
that was considered to be more secure against both the spread of disease and attack by hostile forces.
All that remains of the original structure is a mound that once formed the moat
. This site is given statutory protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
The current castle grounds feature a walled garden with trees and shrubs, including the rhododendrons and azaleas that reach full bloom in late May and early June.
The Countryside Ranger Service is based at the current castle. The ground floor has a visitors centre with facilities including a gift shop, car park, toilets, and tea room.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
in the Balloch Country Park
Balloch Country Park
Balloch Country Park is a country park on the southern tip of Loch Lomond in Scotland. It was recognised as a country park in 1980, and it is the only country park in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland's first national park. Balloch Country Park features nature trails,...
, in West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland. Bordering onto the west of the City of Glasgow, containing many of Glasgow's commuter towns and villages as well as the city's suburbs, West Dunbartonshire also borders onto Argyll and Bute, Stirling, East...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Robert Lugar
Robert Lugar , was an English architect and engineer in the Industrial Revolution.Although born in Colchester, England, Lugar carried out much of his most important work in Scotland and Wales, where he was employed by several leading industrialists to design grand houses such as Balloch Castle and...
at the order of John Buchanan of Ardoch, a partner in the Glasgow Ship Bank. This listed building is an early example of the Scottish baronial style
Scottish baronial style
The Scottish Baronial style is part of the Gothic Revival architecture style, using stylistic elements and forms from castles, tower houses and mansions of the Gothic architecture period in Scotland, such as Craigievar Castle and Newark Castle, Port Glasgow. The revival style was popular from the...
popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The building's turrets and lancet window
Lancet window
A lancet window is a tall narrow window with a pointed arch at its top. It acquired the "lancet" name from its resemblance to a lance. Instances of this architectural motif are most often found in Gothic and ecclesiastical structures, where they are often placed singly or in pairs.The motif first...
s are purely decorative.
The new castle used stone from an earlier castle built near the current site by the Earl of Lennox
Earl of Lennox
The Mormaer of Lennox or Earl of Lennox was the ruler of the long-lasting provincial Mormaerdom/Earldom of Lennox in the Medieval Kingdom of the Scots. The first Mormaer is usually regarded as Ailin I , but the genealogy of the Mormaers gives earlier names...
in 1238 and occupied by the Lennox family until approximately 1390. Situated nearer the water than the present day castle, the earlier structure was abandoned in favour of stronghold on the island of Inchmurrin
Inchmurrin
Inchmurrin is an island in Loch Lomond in Scotland. It is the largest fresh water island in the British Isles.- Geography and geology :...
that was considered to be more secure against both the spread of disease and attack by hostile forces.
All that remains of the original structure is a mound that once formed the moat
Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
. This site is given statutory protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
The current castle grounds feature a walled garden with trees and shrubs, including the rhododendrons and azaleas that reach full bloom in late May and early June.
The Countryside Ranger Service is based at the current castle. The ground floor has a visitors centre with facilities including a gift shop, car park, toilets, and tea room.
External links
- Balloch Castle - West Dunbartonshire Council