Losing light at Loch Dochart

Loch Dochart, south of Crianlarich is only 300m long by 200m wide.

The castle on the island was built between 1583 and 1631 by Sir Duncan Campbell, Black Duncan, but only survived until 1646.

This was MacNab land before the Campbells made their claim and the MacNabs saw an opportunity in 1646 for revenging their loss.

In the winter of 1646 the MacNabs arrived on the shores of the loch where they could do little more than stare across the black waters at the castle safe on its island. The Campbells spied the MacNabs and spent much of the day yelling abuse at them secure in the knowledge that, with no boats available on the loch, they were safe on their island.

Unfortunately for the Campbells the loch froze over during the night and the MacNabs were able to walk out across the ice to the island, where they then proceeded to down the castle and slaughter the occupants.

The castle has remained a ruin ever since.