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'{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} [[File:Tor Castle.jpg|thumb|350px|Engraving of Tor Castle, as found in ''Invernessiana: Contributions toward A History of the Town and Parish of Inverness, from 1160 to 1599'' by [[Charles Fraser-Mackintosh]], published in 1875]] '''Tor Castle''' is a ruined castle, about {{convert|3|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} north east of [[Fort William, Scotland|Fort William]], [[Highland (council area)|Highland]], [[Scotland]], west of the [[River Lochy]] and east of the [[Caledonian Canal]], near Torlundy.<ref name=Coventry1997>{{cite book |last=Coventry |first=Martin |year=1997 |title=The Castles of Scotland |location=[[Musselburgh]] |publisher=Goblinshead |page=316 |isbn=1-899874-10-0}}</ref> ==History== An [[Iron Age]] fort previously occupied the site. According to tradition, the fort once belonged to [[Banquo]] who features in [[Macbeth]].<ref name="Coventry.2008">{{cite book |last=Coventry |first=Martin |year=2008 |title=Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans |location=Musselburgh |publisher=Goblinshead |page=75 |isbn=978-1-899874-36-1}}</ref> There has been a castle at the site since at least the eleventh century.<ref name="Coventry.2008"/> In 1291 a splendid match was arranged for Angus Mackintosh, chief of the [[Clan Mackintosh]], when he married Eva, the only daughter of Dougal Dal, chief of the [[Clan Chattan]], which brought Angus the lands of Glenloy and Loch Arkaig.<ref name="Collins">{{cite book |last1=Way |first1=George of Plean |last2=Squire |first2=Romilly of Rubislaw |authorlink2=Romilly Squire of Rubislaw |authorlink1=George Way of Plean |year=1994 |title=Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia |location=[[Glasgow]] |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] (for the [[Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs]]) |pages=230–231 |isbn=0-00-470547-5}}</ref> Angus and Eva lived on the lands of Clan Chattan at Tor Castle but they later withdrew to Rothiemurchus.<ref name="Collins"/> The castle may have been founded by the Macdonald Lords of the Isles in the late 14th century, who had dominated Lochaber since the time of Robert Bruce. Alexander, Lord of Lochaber, son of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles was given Lochaber by his brother Donald, Lord of the Isles. The tower remains are consistent with that date. Stories that predate 1394 are entirely speculation. It may have been occupied by a family of Mackintoshes from the mid 15th century, and then by the Camerons from 1528, who seem to have added to the site. [[Clan Cameron]] built a massive tower house and courtyard.<ref name="Coventry.2008"/> Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, 13th chief of Clan Cameron rebuilt the castle in 1530.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/23706/details/tor+castle/ |title=Tor Castle |publisher=[[Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland]]|work=[[Canmore (database)|CANMORE]] |accessdate=17 February 2012}}</ref> The Camerons used the castle as a refuge from attacks by the [[Clan MacDonald of Keppoch]].<ref name="Coventry.2008"/> ==Structure== The castle consists of a very ruinous [[tower house]].<ref name="Coventry.2008"/> ==Referencing== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{Canmore |num=23706|desc=Tor Castle}} *[http://www.lochiel.net/archives/graphics/old-tor.jpg Drawing of Tor Castle] lochiel.net. *[https://360castles.com/tor-castle Tor Castle Virtual Tour] {{coord|56.8609|N|5.0651|W|region:GB|display=title}} [[Category:Ruined castles in Highland (council area)]] [[Category:Clan MacDonald of Keppoch]] [[Category:Clan Mackintosh]] [[Category:Clan Cameron]] [[Category:Fort William, Highland]] [[Category:Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Highland]]'