MacGregor Family
Related Buildings

"Glenorchay’s proud mountains, Coalchuirn and her towers,
Glenstrae and Glen Lyon no longer are ours;
We’re landless, landless, landless, Gregarach."

~ MacGregor's Gathering

As you know, during the various Proscriptions we endured, many of the MacGregor lands and buildings were taken from us. The following castles and buildings are documented in MacGregor history although they may not now be in MacGregor hands.

If you have a Web page featuring one or more of the listed castles or buildings
or have any other information about any of them please send an e-mail.
Photos needed!

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Aberuchill Castle (2 miles south west of Comrie, Perthshire) A laird's house in Perth and Kinross, Aberuchill lies to the south of the River Earn. The original fortalice was built in the late 16th Century by Colin, second son of Campbell of Lawers, who received a Crown Charter in 1596. This building was enlarged with baronial additions in the 19th century. Aberuchill Castle was never a McGregor-owned building, but for many years there was an oak tree by the main entrance known locally as "Rob Roy's tree." The story went that Rob Roy was on one occasion "detained" by Campbell of Aberuchill in a main room on the first floor. Rob noticed, however, that a sufficiently thick branch of the tree came close enough to the window for him to jump across and make good his escape. The castle was badly damaged by fire some years ago but thanks to a former owner having retained a detailed set of plans, it is now fully restored. It is currently owned by an American syndicate and used as a shooting lodge.
Balhaldie House (Dunblane, in the upper High Street next to the public library) On 11 Sept 1745, Price Charles Edward arrived at Dunblane where he lodged with Alexander MacGregor of Balhaldies, to whom, by Charles’s father, letters patent had been issued in 1740, creating him "a knight and baronet of the ancient kingdom of Scotland, to have and to hold to him and to the lawful heirs male of his body." The room in which the prince held his levees in Dunblane is still shown to the visitor, and the bed in which he slept is preserved by the family of Balhaldies.
Doune Castle (In Doune, 8m S of Callander on the A84) Tel: 01786 841742 This formidable 14th-century courtyard castle was built for the Regent Albany. The striking keep-gatehouse also combined domestic quarters including the splendid Lord's Hall with its carved oak screen, musicians' gallery and double fireplace. Portions of the hit movie, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", were filmed here. There's a special souvenir book available in the gift shop. Be sure to ask about the coconuts and don't forget to attend Monty Python Day!
Edinample Castle (Loch Earn, Perthshire, near Balquhidder) Edinample is a late 16th century Z-plan tower house built by 'Black' Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy in the 16th century, possibly on the site of an earlier building. Edinample was acquired by the Campbells from the MacGregors after the proscription. Of late 16th Century construction, it may incorporate an older MacGregor tower. The castle was remodeled in the late 18th Century, but had fallen into disrepair by the mid-1970’s. It has now been completely restored and is currently a private family home not open to the public.
Edinchip Estate (Perthshire - map) Purchased by John Murray MacGregor around 1778, Edenchip, stands at the eastern end of the Braes of Balquhidder, pretty near the centre of the old country of the clan. MacGregor Chiefs and their immediate family are still laid to rest in the mausoleum in Balquhidder, erected about 1831. The estate was sold in 1980 and is now available as a rental.
Glengyle House (Loch Katrine) Once the family seat and the birthplace of Rob Roy. Take a virtual tour of this historic house and read about it's current status.
Tower of Glenstrae (Loch Awe, 2.5 miles NW of Dalmally, Argyll) The Tower of Glenstrae was built in 1895 as gentleman's residence, by Major Grieg of Edinburgh. Built in the Scottish Baronial Style, it included many state of the art features of the time, such as bathrooms and electricity. It is now a private residence that is run as a bed & breakfast during the summer. It has a beautiful view of Kilchurn Castle.
lnvercarnaig (Balquhidder) The Jacobite Rebellion in 1745 had disastrous consequences all over Scotland. In Balquhidder glen, many clans including the MacGregors, supported the forces of Prince Charles Edward. Lands were forfeit and clansman and families burned out of their homes. This MacGregor estate  was laid waste. You can still see the remains of their burial ground at the top of Loch Doine.
Kilchurn Castle The lands of Glenorchy were originally in the hands of the MacGregors of Glenstrae and passed to the Campbells by marriage in the 14th century. The statement has been made that a MacGregor chief built the Castle of Coalchuirn (sometimes spelled Kilchurn) on Loch Awe, but this is not well founded. Records show that Kilchurn Castle was actually built by the Campbells.
Lanrick Castle (2.5 miles NW of Doune)  Sir John Murray of Lanrick, born in 1745, was the 18th Chieftain of the Children of the Mist. He purchased the estate of Lanrick, which he called "McGregor earth" and  built a Castle there known as Castle Gregor. It was sold in 1830 by Sir John's son, Sir Evan MacGregor, 19th Chief of the Clan. Lanrick Castle was destroyed by its owner in 2002.
Meggernie Castle (Glen Lyon) In very early times the land on both sides of Glen Lyon as far south as Loch Awe, belonged to Clan Gregor There was a Keep on the site of the present day Meggernie Castle that would have commanded the whole district. Robert II, who ruled from 1370 to 1390, confiscated the Keep and conferred it upon his illegitimate son, Sir John Stewart of Cardney. With the Campbells on the south of the glen and the Stewarts on the north, the Gregors were between two fires and lost all their possessions in the district. Though the exact date of the erection of the oldest existing part of Meggernie Castle has not been established, there is a Charter in the "Register of the Great Seal," dated 4th March 1603, whereby James VI. confers upon Duncan Campbell of Glen Lyon, certain lands which were united to make up the Barony of Glen Lyon, the chief house of the baron being named as "the Tower called Meggernie."

Grierson Family Buildings

Barjarg Tower (3.5 miles south of Thornhill at Barjarg in Dumfriesshire)
Lagg Tower (7 miles SE of Moniaive in Dumfriesshire)
Rockhall (6 miles east of Dumfries and is now a hotel.)
Sir Robert Grierson lived here during the time of the Covenanters. It is said that his pet monkey haunts the building blowing a whistle.

Crawfordton Tower (about 1 mile east of Moniaive, in Dumfriesshire, just north of Cairn Water, near Crawfordton.)
A modern mansion may stand on the site of the tower. It was held by the Walkers in the 19th century.

Sources:
The Chatelaine's Scottish Castles
"The Castles of Scotland" by Martin Coventry which you can order right here online from: Amazon.co.uk in Scotland and the UK or Amazon.com in the USA.
What's the difference? Shipping costs!
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Updated 18 January, 2009