Gylen Castle, Isle of Kerrera

Gylen Castle is on the southern part of the Isle of Kerrera. I love going across on the small ferry, holds 12 people or a tractor (??), always feel like starting out on an adventure. The castle was built in this spectacular spot in 1582 by the Clan MacDougall who owned Kerrera and much of the surrounding lands. The Clan seat is across the water just outside Oban at Dunollie. Some of the Clan treasures including the famous Brooch of Lorn, were moved across to Gylen for safe keeping when the MacDougalls and Cambells were fighting. The Brooch was first owned by Robert the Bruce, who managed to escape the literal clutches of MacDougalls by slipping out of his cloak as he was seized on the battlefield near Tyndrum in 1306. The cloak was held fast by the brooch. It became a talisman for the MacDougalls, hence its removal in a time of danger. Ironically Dunollie Castle escaped attack while Gylen was besieged and then sacked by the Campbells of Inverawe. The brooch became the spoils of war for the second time. But in 1822 the Duke of Argyll from the Campbell stronghold, Inverary Castle, returned the brooch to the MacDougalls. Can’t help wondering why the MacDougalls and not the Bruces?

However the ‘treasure’ for me was being able to walk to Gylen and climb the final hill up to the castle. I was very chuffed with myself. I once got stuck half way up the hill, after attempting the climb without using the recognised path, a very embarrassing experience as I had to be rescued by my husband.

One of the best bits about Gylen is that the little farmhouse there runs a garden tearoom with excellent food. Had both lunch and afternoon tea there. They always have delicious and unusual cakes. Today we had chocolate and courgette cake, and coconut and carrot cake. Both delish.

The distant island you can see is part of the Garvellachs we saw last week from Easdale.