Kilberry Castle

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Kilberry Castle
Argyllshire
Location
Grid reference: NR70816413
Location: 55°48’57"N, 5°39’35"W
Village: Kilberry
History
By: David Bryce
Country house
Scots baronial
Information

Kilberry Castle is a country house near Kilberry in South Knapdale in Argyllshire, standing on the shores of the Sound of Jura.

The house is a Category B listed building.[1]

History and architecture

The castle is said to have been built at the end of the fifteenth century.[2] The MacMurachies are understood to have owned the castle under the Lords of the Isles and they were followed by the Earls of Argyll. Eventually the Campbells of Kilberry took up residence in the early 16th century. During the Civil War the castle was besieged by royalist forces between 1643 and 1645.

In 1733 the Campbell mausoleum was built by Dugald Campbell 6th of Kilberry. The castle was accidentally burned down in 1772 or 1773. Although it continued to be occupied, a proper restoration was not undertaken until 1844 when John Campbell, 5th of Knockbury and 9th of Kilberry commissioned its rebuilding in 1844 by the architect David Bryce. John Campbell, 6th of Knockbury and 10th of Kilberry commissioned further extensions in 1873 by Charles Kinnear of Edinburgh. The works were carried out by Mr Harris, builder of St Andrew’s.[3]

Following the death of Lt.-Col. John Campbell, 7th of Knockbury and 11th of Kilberry in 1928 the house was advertised for sale at which point it was described as having an estate of 7,000 acres.[4] John Campbell's daughter Marion Campbell (later a noted archaeologist) inherited Kilberry when she was eight years old, following her father's death. The estate was sold to an older cousin, but Campbell regained possession of it once she turned eighteen.

The castle was advertised for sale in 2021 with an asking price of in excess of £650,000.[5]

References

  1. Kilberry Castle (Category B) - Listing detail (Historic Environment Scotland)
  2. "Kilberry Castle". 2009. http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst17705.html. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  3. "A Tragic Story". Fife Herald (Scotland). 5 February 1874. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000447/18740205/018/0002. 
  4. Kilberry Castle and Estate: The Scotsman 4 August 1928
  5. 'A 15th century Scottish castle for sale at just £650,000 that’s been in the same family for over 470 years': Lydia Stangroom in Country Life 18 July 2001