Castles of Clan Robertson

Loch Tummel Island Castle (Perthshire)
The earliest known stronghold of Clan Donnachaidh (Clan Robertson) was a small fortified site built on an island at the western end of Loch Tummel. It served as the seat of Duncan “the Stout” (Donnchadh Reamhar), a clan founder and supporter of Robert the Bruce. The castle provided natural defense and acted as a refuge during the clan’s early years. It remained a seat of power until the 16th century and was later submerged after a hydroelectric dam raised the loch in the 20th century. Though lost beneath the water, it remains the symbolic birthplace of Clan Robertson.

Invervack Castle (Perthshire)
Also known as the “Black Castle of Invervack,” this tower house became the seat of the Robertson chiefs in the 16th century. Located near Blair Atholl, it served as the clan’s stronghold until 1654, when it was burned by Cromwell’s forces during the suppression of the Royalist Glencairn’s Rising. The castle was never rebuilt, but the site remained part of the Robertson barony. Today only traces of its foundations remain. It reflects the clan’s active involvement in Scotland’s civil wars.

Dunalastair Castle (Perthshire)
Dunalastair Castle became the residence of the Robertson chiefs in the 17th century after Invervack was destroyed. The estate sits near Loch Rannoch and was associated with the poet-chief Alexander Robertson of Struan. The original laird’s house, burned after Culloden in 1746, was replaced by a Georgian mansion, and later by a large Victorian mansion in the 19th century. That structure now stands in ruins, but the land remains a central part of clan history. Several clan chiefs are buried on the estate.

Lude Castle (Perthshire)
Lude Castle, near Blair Atholl, was the seat of the Robertsons of Lude, a cadet branch of the clan. Built in the 16th century, the castle was burned in 1650 by Cromwellian troops. The estate remained in Robertson hands for generations and was later replaced by a more modern house. Though no visible ruins remain, Lude was once an important clan residence. It symbolizes the Robertsons’ loyalty to the Royalist cause.

Auchleeks Castle (Perthshire)
Auchleeks Castle was a lesser-known seat of a cadet branch of the clan near Glen Errochty. The original castle dated to the 16th century and later gave way to a Georgian mansion. The estate remained in Robertson hands until the 20th century. Though no visible remains of the original tower survive, its presence is remembered in the estate’s historical layout. Auchleeks marked the clan’s territorial reach in Atholl.

Eilean nam Faoilaig (Loch Rannoch, Perthshire)
This small island in Loch Rannoch once held a Robertson stronghold used as a prison and retreat by the clan chiefs. Accessible only by boat, the fortified island offered safety during conflict. Its name means “Island of the Seagulls” or “Island of the Wolves,” and it is remembered for its strategic importance. Though only ruins remain, the site reflects the clan’s adaptability and defensive ingenuity. It stands as a quiet reminder of turbulent Highland history.

Castles Loosely Associated with Clan Robertson

Stirling Castle (Stirling)
Clan Robertson traces its royal loyalty to Robert the Bruce, and Stirling Castle is central to that legacy. The clan’s founder is said to have fought at Bannockburn in 1314 and received royal favor afterward. While never owned by the Robertsons, Stirling Castle symbolizes their early alliance with the Scottish Crown. The towering fortress played a major role in shaping clan fortunes. It remains one of Scotland’s most iconic castles.

Blair Castle (Perthshire)
Blair Castle, seat of the Dukes of Atholl, was often allied with the Robertsons during times of war. During the 1745 Jacobite Rising, Robertson clansmen fought alongside Lord George Murray and participated in the siege of Blair. In earlier conflicts, the castle was used as a base by Cromwell’s troops during raids on Robertson lands. Though not a clan residence, it was central to regional military and political life. The castle is well preserved and open to the public.

Inverlochy Castle (Highland)
Inverlochy Castle, near Fort William, was the site of a major 1645 battle in which the Robertsons fought under the Marquess of Montrose. The clan’s support for the Royalist cause helped secure victory against the Campbells. Though the Robertsons never owned the castle, the battle was a high point in their military history. The ruined fortress still dominates its riverside location. It serves as a reminder of clan bravery during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Garth Castle (Perthshire)
Garth Castle in Glen Lyon was occupied by Highland Royalists allied with the Robertsons during Glencairn’s Rising in 1654. Cromwell’s forces besieged and burned the castle in retaliation. Although not owned by the clan, the event paralleled the destruction of nearby Robertson estates. The square tower was partially restored in the 19th century and still stands. Its story is part of the wider narrative of Robertson resistance.

Castle Menzies (Perthshire)
Castle Menzies was the seat of Clan Menzies, neighbors and occasional allies of Clan Robertson. Though not a Robertson property, the two clans shared borders, marriages, and wartime allegiances. The castle’s 16th-century structure and Renaissance interiors are well preserved. It sits just south of traditional Robertson territory. The connection is regional and symbolic rather than direct.

References

Coventry, M. (2010). The Castles of Scotland (5th ed.). Musselburgh: Goblinshead.
Tabraham, C. (2005). Scotland’s Castles. London: Batsford.
Historic Environment Scotland. (n.d.). Castle Records and Listings.
Clan Donnachaidh Society. (n.d.). Clan Robertson History and Archives.
RCAHMS. (n.d.). National Monuments Record of Scotland.