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Tarbert Castle

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Tarbert Castle

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Tarbert Castle

Name: Tarbert Castle
Rating: 2

Recommended by 5 road cyclists

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Location: Tarbert And Skipness, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Best Road Cycling Rides to Tarbert Castle

5.0

(2)

198

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1. Largs Seafront – Lochranza Road Climb loop from West Kilbride

164km

06:58

1,180m

Expert road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

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Expert

5.0

(1)

160

riders

2. Lochranza Road Climb – Largs Seafront loop from Tarbert

164km

07:09

1,190m

Expert road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

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Expert

4.5

(2)

riders

3. Tarbert Waterfront – Tarbert Castle loop from Clachan

36.7km

01:39

340m

Intermediate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

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Intermediate

Tips

Michèle Linton-Sinclair

October 19, 2023

Tarbert Castle was a strategic royal stronghold during the Middle Ages and one of three castles at Tarbert. The castle overlooks the harbour and although pre-14th century in construction, the tower dates back to 1494 and the visit of James IV to the Western Highlands.

In 712, Tarbert was burned by King Selbach mac Ferchair of Cenél Loairn and of Dál Riata and in 731 by his son, Dúngal mac Selbaig.

King Edward II of England handed control of the castle to the Scottish King John II de Balliol in 1292. A fortified structure was built in Tarbert during the 13th century. It was reinforced with the addition of an outer bailey and towers in the 1320s by Robert the Bruce, to protect it against the Lords of the Isles. A towerhouse was added in the 16th century, which is the most noticeable part of the remains. The castle occupies high land above the village, providing views up Loch Fyne and beyond to the Firth of Clyde. This castle was captured from John MacDonald of Islay, Lord of the Isles by James IV of Scotland as part of his campaign to destroy the power of the Lords of the Isles in 1494. In 1687 the castle was involved in another skirmish when Walter Campbell of Skipness Castle seized it as a stronghold for Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll as part of actions in support of the Monmouth Rebellion in England.

There are only a couple of standing walls left and they are considered unstable. The castle has a very commanding view of the water approaches.

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Elevation 20 m

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Saturday 25 October

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Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

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See rides here

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Location: Tarbert And Skipness, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Tarbert Castle Ruins

West Loch Tarbert

Claonaig to Lochranza Ferry Crossing

Skipness Castle

Old Glenan Village Ruins

Asgog Castle Ruins at Asgog Loch

View of Tarbert Harbour

Tarbert Harbour

Castle Sween

Sculpture Walk Behind Tarbert Castle

Tarbert Waterfront

View of Tarbert Harbour

Tarbert Castle

1. Largs Seafront – Lochranza Road Climb loop from West Kilbride

2. Lochranza Road Climb – Largs Seafront loop from Tarbert

3. Tarbert Waterfront – Tarbert Castle loop from Clachan

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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