Lochranza Castle, Arran
Local highlightA roofless little tower house on a spit of land reaching into Loch Ranza, at the quiet north end of the Isle of Arran
Open to visitorsa Historic Environment Scotland site — many are free to wander; staffed ones charge and keep set hours
Substantial ruinsruined, but plenty survives above ground
The ruin you see at Lochranza is a tower house — a tall fortified home built for defence — standing on a low promontory that pushes out into the sea loch. It began as a simple hall house, probably in the 13th century, and was remodelled into the L-shaped tower that survives today, most likely in the 16th century. The walls stand tall and roofless, and you can wander in freely from the road. Historic Environment Scotland looks after it. The tower sits right beside Lochranza village and the Arran Coastal Way, in the North Arran hills, with the Isle of Arran Distillery a short way up the road and the ferry to Kintyre running from the pier.
