Rosneath Castle

An ancient castle stood near the shore of Campsail Bay, and seems to have served for centuries merely as a place of strength, but was fitted up about the year 1630 by the Marquis of Argyll as a subsidiary residence to the castle of Inveraray. It underwent great changes, and was eventually destroyed by fire in 1802. A new mansion, on a. spot at a little distance from the old site, was erected in 1803-5 according to a splendid design by J. Bononi of London. The building was in the modern Italian style, with combinations of Greek. One principal front looked to the N, and was adorned with a magnificent portico, which resembled in its style the Roman Ionic, and projected so far as to admit of a carriage-way within it. Another principal front looked to the S. A circular tower rose in the centre of the building, and was crowned by a balustrade, which commanded a brilliant panoramic view. The Duke of Argyll’s family retained it until 1939.

The last Duke to own it was married to Princess Louise, a daughter of Queen Victoria. After the Princess died in 1939, the castle was used as an HQ for American troops based there during the latter part of World War II. It was finally demolished in 1961: the grounds are now occupied by Rosneath Holiday Park.

According to the 15th century poet, Blind Harry, Rosneath Castle was stormed and taken by William Wallace. Another legend has it that on a different occasion, Wallace was being closely pursued by his enemies, when he jumped on horseback from the small cliff (beside the current Rosneath Bistro) known as Wallace's Leap. The horse was killed, but Wallace made it on foot to the Gareloch, where he jumped in and swam to the other side to elude his pursuers.

Photographs

1. Current website

2. © Helensburgh Heritage Trust http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/

3. © Helensburgh Heritage Trust http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk