Moy Castle - Lochbuie

             Barrachandroman

Map ref: NM 616247

Kept locked for safety reasons – Access by arrangement with Mr. Corbett, Lochbuie House and a donation to the maintenance of St. Kilda's Church

Situated on a low rock platform on the shore overlooking Loch Buie,Moy castle is a typical Scottish tower house. It is not in a naturally defensive position but there is evidence of a wall to the south east forming and enclosure (barmkin) and a ditch to the north west. To the south of the castle is a boat landing with a 4m wide cleared channel out to the sea.

The building dates from the first half of the 15^th C after Hector acquired land at Lochbuie from Lachlan McLean of Duart. Originally built with three storeys (one main room per floor), alterations were made in the 16/17^th C when the third storey was converted to a kitchen, bedrooms, chimneys and turrets were added above. The structure is approx 10.5m square with walls between 2 and 3m thick and a height of 14m to the parapet.

The entrance is up steps to the doorway in the NE wall. This was originally secured with a heavy wrought iron gate (yell) which is now preserved in Lochbuie House, and hinged on two pins which remain in the wall. This gate was fixed by a heavy timber draw bar which remains inside the doorway. There is a small enclosed (guard?) room to the right and the stairs to the first floor, built into the thickness of the wall, are to the left. Ahead, through an arched entrance is the main room with stone walls and vaulted stone ceiling.

Central in the floor is the well with a depth of 1.8m. The water in this well remains fresh and is at a level much above the outside ground level. There is currently no knowledge of the means of water supply to this well.

There are two straight flights of stairs to the first floor with as long low room off part way up. The main room of the first floor is above the ground floor main room, again with vaulted roof which is at right angles to that of the room below. Two smaller rooms are off this hall, the one in the west corner having access to the pit-prison. This is a conical chamber with a depth of 3.3m, 1.2m square at its base which is water filled.

From the first floor, a stone spiral staircase leads to the second floor and onwards to the parapet level. This floor, probably originally sleeping accommodation, was altered to a kitchen area with the addition of a recessed cooking fire area and chimney above. At the same time the roof was raised to provide sleeping accommodation.

The parapet, approx 1m wide, was built of slate slabs sloping towards the crenellated walls with drainage channels and spouts to shed the rainwater from the roof area. The corner turrets and sleeping area with fireplaces (access from the parapet) were added when the roof was raised.. The roof has gone during the 19thC and the top of the castle had become overgrown, as had the exterior walls with ivy, until this was recently cleared by the Corbett family in an attempt to prevent further deterioration to the stonework.

There are now plans in hand to stabilise the structure and it is hoped that restoration may eventually occur.

Contact Richard and Maggie Railton Edwards at:

Barrachandroman, Lochbuie, Isle of Mull, Argyll, Scotland. PA62 6AA:

Tel: +(44) 1680 814220 fax 247 E-mail:edwards@barrachandroman.co.uk