Breachacha Castle

Breachacha Castle

Breachacha Castle (also spelled Breacachadh) is either of two structures on the shore of Loch Breachacha, on the Isle of Coll. The earlier (also called Old Breachacha Castle) is a 15th-century tower house that was a stronghold of the Macleans of Coll, the island having been granted to John Maclean in 1431. This castle was superseded by a new dwelling in 1750 but continued to be occupied for a time, falling into a ruinous state only in the mid-19th century. Although work was performed in the 1930s to prevent further dilapidation, the castle was restored to livable condition only in the 1960s, by Nicholas MacLean-Bristol and his wife Lavinia. It is a category A listed building. The Project Trust had the old castle as their original base until a custom built location on the west of the island was created in 1988.

The newer Breachacha Castle (also known as Breachacha House), which is also a Category A listed building was constructed in the mid-18th century 140 metres (460 ft) northwest of the old castle. Samuel Johnson and James Boswell stayed at the newer castle on their tour of the Hebrides.

Visit our destinations page to find out how to get to Coll.