Pre 16th Century - The origins of the tower house on this natural, easily defendable rock outcrop doubtless preceded the current buildings and its originations are far earlier than the first date stone from the end of the 16th Century but unfortunately there are no records of its early history.

1595 - This earliest visible date stone captures an important moment, when Ardmaddy hosted evidence in relation to the murder of Campbell of Cawdor nearby on Loch Feochan, in the ongoing feud between the MacDougalls, the original clan owners of Ardmaddy and the Campbells who subsequently gained control and went on to own it for over 300 years.

Early 1600’s - Earl of Argyll as High Sherriff successfully evicts John Macdougall, last Baron of Rarey, following his prosecution for bigamy having been induced to marry into the Campbell clan, and claims control of the castle and wider estate. The legal wrangling continues for over 50 years and ends up requiring King Charles II’s intervention who supported the Argyll’s claim following public condemnation in Parliament in 1661.

1620 - The Castle is severely damaged by a fire

1650 - The Earl of Argyll passes Ardmaddy to his son Lord Neil Campbell

1671 - Lord Neil Campbell rebuilds the castle, following his wedding to Vere Kerr, the daughter of the Marquis of Lothian.

1692 - Lord Neil Campbell, by now a fugitive in America, following a failed uprising led by the Argyll’s, sells the estate to another branch of the Campbell clan, the Earls of Breadalbane, whose principal seat was Taymouth Castle, Perthshire.

1737 - The Breadalbane’s finished restoring the castle, adding the Georgian façade, including their coat of arms on the portice, still seen today, after it had again fallen into disrepair.

1880 - An extensive Victorian building was added, linked to the Georgian wing via a passageway over an arched entrance with portcullis. Various stages of work had culminated with David Bryce a leading architect of the time overseeing the final works, which are visible in the photographs from the mid-20th Century.

1881 - Tragedy strikes when a huge storm causes catastrophic damage to the famous slate mines on the Slate Islands of the Inner Hebrides, causing significant loss of life and permanently impairing the financial health of the estate, as the slate quarries had been a principal source of income. The museum on Easdale Island has detailed information on the event and its impact.

1932 - Following the death of the last of the Breadalbane line of the Campbells, the Trustees sell off the estate. Ardmaddy is sold to a friend of the family, Miss Kathryn Mackinnon. She embarks on another period of repair and investment including creating the first hydro electric scheme and improving the estate buildings.

1939 - Following Miss Mackinnon’s untimely death the executors sell the estate to Major Jim Struthers of Bonawe, Loch Etive.

1978 - The second generation of Struthers embark on significant alterations, effectively reversing the impractical Victorian era additions and significantly reduce the size of the castle back to its current form, anchored once again on the Georgian wing.  

Today - The third generation of Struthers have in recent years redecorated and updated the heating and plumbing as part of a major internal cosmetic update, while ensuring all the historic character of the castle has been maintained or enhanced. They have also developed a new private garden around the Victorian tower to support the castle now being available to rent privately on a super-exclusive basis.

Click here if you are interested in renting the Castle.