Lochore Castle

Lochore Castle is a ruined 14th-century tower house, about 3 miles (4.8 km) south east of Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland, and south of Lochore, east of Loch Ore, in Lochore Country Park.[1]

Little remains of the castle, which was originally on the island of Inchgall, the name meaning “Isle of Strangers”.[1] It may be known alternatively as Inchgall Castle[2]

History

Duncan of Lochore first built a motte on this site,[1] during the reign of Malcolm IV of Scotland.[2] The Valances acquired the castle (apparently by marriage[2]) and extended it before constructing the keep during the 14th century,[1] having probably lowered the motte. [2] Thereafter in came into the hands of the Wardlaws of Torrie, and was then acquired by the Malcolms of Balbedie[1]

At the end of the 18th century the loch was drained. [2]

Structure

The keep had four storeys, and a courtyard with four corner towers, which enclosed ranges of buildings.[1] Probably the castle was approached by a causeway from the east. [2]

The wider area was landscaped and loch refilled in the 1980s, to restore it after the devastation caused by mining in the 20th century.[2]

See also

References
  1. Coventry, Martin (1997) The Castles of Scotland. Goblinshead. ISBN 1-899874-10-0 p.144
  2. "Lochore Castle". Canmore. Retrieved 2019-08-17.

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