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Kilberry Castle is a Category B listed country house near Kilberry in South Knapdale in the county of Argyll, in western Scotland on the shores of the Sound of Jura.

History and architecture

The castle is said to have been built at the end of the fifteenth century. The MacMurachies are understood to have owned the castle under the Lords of the Isles and they were followed by the Earls of Argyll. Eventually the Campbells of Kilberry took up residence in the early 16th century. During the civil war the castle was besieged by royalist forces between 1643 and 1645.

In 1733 the Campbell mausoleum was built by Dugald Campbell 6th of Kilberry. The castle was accidentally burned down in 1772 or 1773. Although it continued to be occupied, a proper restoration was not undertaken until 1844 when John Campbell, 5th of Knockbury and 9th of Kilberry commissioned its rebuilding in 1844 by the architect David Bryce. John Campbell, 6th of Knockbury and 10th of Kilberry commissioned further extensions in 1873 by Charles Kinnear of Edinburgh. The works were carried out by Mr Harris, builder of St Andrew’s.

Following the death of Lt.-Col. John Campbell, 7th of Knockbury and 11th of Kilberry in 1928 the house was advertised for sale at which point it was described as having an estate of 7,000 acres (11 sq mi). John Campbell's daughter Marion Campbell (later a noted archaeologist) inherited Kilberry Estate when she was 8 years old, following her father's death. The Kilberry Estate was sold to an older cousin, but Campbell regained possession of it once she turned 18.

In 2021, Kilberry Castle was advertised for sale and has since been reintegrated into the Kilberry Estate. The castle, along with other historic buildings on the estate, is currently undergoing restoration. The renovation work is expected to be completed by 2027, with the castle set to be reinstated as a private residence for its current family owners.

References

1. ^ "Kilberry Castle". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
2. "Kilberry Castle". 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
3. "A Tragic Story". Fife Herald. Scotland. 5 February 1874. Retrieved 23 November 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
4. "Kilberry Castle and Estate". The Scotsman. Scotland. 4 August 1928. Retrieved 23 November 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
5. ^ Ewan, Elizabeth; Innes, Sue; Reynolds, Siân; Pipes, Rose, eds. (2006). Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. Edinburgh University Press. pp. 64–65. ISBN 9780748626601.
6. Stangroom, Lydia (18 July 2001). "A 15th century Scottish castle for sale at just £650,000 that's been in the same family for over 470 years". Country Life. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
7. "Kilberry Estate | Argyll, Scotland". Kilberry Estate | Argyll, Scotland. Retrieved 9 September 2024.

• Category B listed buildings in Argyll and Bute
• Country houses in Argyll and Bute
• Historic house museums in Argyll and Bute