Lochranza Castle (4)
Lochranza Castle was granted to the Stewarts, before they became the royal family of Scotland.  King James II, known as &quot;Fiery face&quot; because of the conspicuous vermilion birthmark on his face, and killed at the siege of Roxburgh Castle in 1460 when the cannon he was standing next to exploded, granted Lochranza to Alexander, 1st Lord Montgomerie in 1452.  He was succeeded by his grandson Hugh, who as well as holding Lochranza, was keeper of both Brodick Castle (here on Arran) and Rothesay Castle, next door on Bute.  In later years it was occupied by Cromwell's troops and later still was sold to Anne, Duchess of Hamilton.

It was the Montgomeries that converted Sween's old hall-house into a tower-house.
dji086061stitch2 lochranza isleofarran scotland ruinedcastle towerhouse stewart macsween montgomery earlofeglinton torrneadaneoin caistealabhail ceumnacaillich