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Castle Stalker is a four-storey tower house or keep picturesquely set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich, an inlet off Loch Linnhe. It is about 1.5 miles north-east of Port Appin, Argyll, Scotland, and is visible from the A828 road about midway between Oban and Glen Coe. The islet is accessible (with difficulty) from the shore at low tide. The name "Stalker" comes from the Gaelic Stalcaire, meaning "hunter" or "falconer". The island castle is one of the best-preserved medieval tower-houses to survive in western Scotland. It stands in the Lynn of Lorn National Scenic Area, one of forty such areas in Scotland.
In recent times, the castle was brought to fame by the Monty Python team, appearing in their film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
The original castle was a small fort, built around 1320 by Clan MacDougall who were then Lords of Lorn. Around 1388 the Stewarts took over the Lordship of Lorn, and it is believed that they built the castle in its present form around the 1440s. The Stewart's relative King James IV of Scotland visited the castle, and a drunken bet around 1620 resulted in the castle passing to Clan Campbell. After changing hands between these clans a couple of times, the Campbells finally abandoned the castle in about 1840, when it lost its roof. In 1908 the castle was bought by Charles Stewart of Achara, who carried out basic conservation work. In 1965 Lt. Col. D. R. Stewart Allward acquired the castle and over about ten years fully restored it. Castle Stalker remains in private ownership and is open to the public at selected times during the summer.
The only sunset shot from the 5 day trip. Port Appin, on the shores of Loch Linhe. Strange how calm the water was for a sea loch.
. . . as seen from little Beinn Sgluich, Appin.
My predilection for climbing diminutive hills in forgotten corners of the West Highlands paid off on this occasion with this grandstand view across Loch Linnhe on a sparkling February morning last winter.
Castle Stalker is another wonderful castle that we saw during our time in Scotland. It was a grey and gloomy day and such a contrast to the first time that I saw the castle in 2006.
In recent times the castle was brought to fame by the Monty Python team, appearing in their film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It also appeared in the film Highlander: Endgame. The Castle's implausably picturesque appearance, with its bewitching island setting against a dramatic backdrop of mountains, has made it a favourite subject for postcards and calendars, and something of a cliché image of Scottish Highland scenery. It should be noted, however, that Stalker is entirely authentic; it is one of the best-preserved medieval tower-houses surviving in western Scotland.
Castle Stalker is in Appin, Argyll, situated on the A828 between Ballachulish and Conel.
#169 on Explore on 28th December, 2009.
March '04. When I arrived at the shore opposite the castle, it was to find a load of photographers in a line along the shore. (I'd noticed a minibus down the old station road where we'd parked.) Thankfully there was enough room to squeeze in amongst them, without pushing anyone in. As we were all so intent on the ever changing scene unfolding in front of us, I never did find out who they were! Also, they left just as, IMO, the conditions were getting even better! (I truly hope they only went up the hill to the viewpoint and didn't turn their backs on this scene!)
Fuji Provia. Nikon F2.
DSC03963-HDR_Lr9
This ranks alongside Eilean Donan and Kilchurn as my favourite scottish castle. I was determined therefore to come back with a shot or two, even if it meant dodging the rain showers
Castle Stalker, Portnacroish at dawn.
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View from Appin looking out towards Castle Stalker in Loch Laich, an inlet off Loch Linnhe.
Further out are the islands of Lismore and Mull.
March '04. Stalker Castle, Appin, Loch Linnhe.
The light show behind the castle just kept on and on, changing colour and design as the sun came lower.
Fuji Provia film. Nikon F2
DSC03128-HDR_Lr9
The sun sets behind Castle Stalker near Appin on the west coast of Scotland.
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Castle Stalker in mono. Castle Stalker is on the West Coast of Scotland between Fort William and Oban and near the village of Port Appin.
© 2012 John Lawson. Please do not use this image in any way without asking me first.
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Used in the Monty Python And The Holy Grail film in 1975 (Yes that long ago!), is this very picturesque castle.
Worth a stop if your in the area. Consider also looking up the other attraction (Castle Stalker View Cafe) for a good view and rest / bite to eat and coffee.
The classic viewpoint from the Birks of Aberfeldy looking out over the Appin of Dull, beech and birch trees in the foreground covered in green tree-beard lichen and moss.
Until seeing this insane place again. On our coming Scotland trip Castle Stalker is at the top again. We just have to see it again and hopefully this time we'll realize the whole thing a bit more. The first trip after more than 20 years seemed more like a dream to us. We really had problems processing all these impressions at once.
Location: Castle Stalker, Portnacroish/Point Appin (Argyll & Bute, Scotland)
Time: Afternoon
Weather: Heavy, heavy raining
Camera: Sony A7II
Lens: Sony SEL1635z
Castle Stalker taken less than 30 minutes later than previous posts #1 and #2 showing how quickly the weather changes on the West Coast.
Waited for the sunset but the whole bay was thrown into shadow.....Ah well!
The original castle was a small fort, built around 1320 by Clan MacDougall who were then Lords of Lorn. Around 1388 the Stewarts took over the Lordship of Lorn, and it is believed that they built the castle in its present form around the 1440s. The Stewart's relative King James IV of Scotland visited the castle, and a drunken bet around 1620 resulted in the castle passing to Clan Campbell. After changing hands between these clans a couple of times the Campbells finally abandoned the castle in about 1840, when it lost its roof. In 1908 the castle was bought by Charles Stewart of Achara, who carried out basic conservation work. In 1965 Lt. Col. D. R. Stewart Allward acquired the castle and over about ten years fully restored it. Castle Stalker remains in private ownership and is open to the public at selected times during the summer.
We arrived at Castle Stalker almost an hour and a half before sunset. The weather was 'changeable' to say the least during our two hours there, with much of it spent under a brolly (keeping the rain off lens and filters rather than me!). There were breaks in the clouds though and I particularly liked this 'halo' of light above the castle which cast a corresponding golden glow onto the loch waters.