Castle Campbell which is situated in Dollar Glen close to Dollar in Clackmannanshire. It was originally named Castle Gloom but was changed to Campbell in 1489-90 by Act of Parliament with the approval of King James IV. The word Gloom was probably from the Gaelic glom meaning a chasm. As you can see it was a gorgeous blue sky day when we visited at the end of October.
Below is a photo taken from the top of a spiral staircase – you have to be fairly fit!
The large vaulted room at the top has a cute wee window seat at one end, a perfect place to sit and read or admire the view.
If you look carefully at the photo below you should be able to see two carvings of faces that look a bit like the Green Man. There are holes at the mouths and it’s thought that lamps probably hung from there.
Onwards and upwards to the roof which would have been a good place to relax, away from the bustle of the castle and servants, somewhere to have a private conversation – and get away from the smell of the loos as many of the rooms have an ‘en suite’ – non flushing of course.
And a fine view can be had in all directions, below is a photo looking over to the wee town of Dollar.
It’s a popular place with hill walkers, but we stuck close to the castle grounds, not feeling too energetic – and I didn’t bring the correct footwear – well that’s my excuse!
Of course there had to be water nearby and below is a rushing rushing burn, eager to join up with more of the same which could be heard thundering far below in the glen.
It’s definitely a good place to visit although there’s an uphill walk of about 800 yards from the car park so it’s not great for anyone who couldn’t tackle that by foot
What incredible weather you had that day! I was gaping over the pictures of Campbell Castle when Ken walked by me and the computer. “Oh my god, where is that?”
I explained. “Such beautiful weather. Isn’t that rare for Scotland?”
In the past, I have waxed on about my miserable four rainy days in Scotland in the summer of 1973.
In any case, we simply loved the photos. So well done, I must say. Fascinating.
I am gah-gah over Scottish castles. I don’t think I needed to add that, but I realize how much you’ve contributed to my knowledge of them. Thank you!
Judith,
Well we do get good weather, you were just unlucky, but often you just have to wait a few minutes for the weather to change again! My eldest brother (who has lived for most of his life in the Netherlands) swore he would never come back to Scotland after a miserable wet week in the Highlands, it can be very wet in the north west – and he hasn’t been back! It seems that it is the north of England and the Midlands that are getting loads of rain now, they’ve had a lot of flooding down there, the weather has definitely changed – as it seems to have done everywhere. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
Oh, I wish it was still called Castle Gloom! What a great name that would be for a ghost story… đŸ˜€
FictionFan,
Some people do still call it Castle Gloom. Why don’t you write a ghost story set there?!