Castle Campbell
I recently revisited Castle Campbell. With a backdrop of the Ochil Hills, it has a commanding view high above Dollar Glen and when standing on the top of the tower you can see why the location was chosen all those centuries ago. The architecture of the tower dates from the 1400’s, though it is believed that the location had been used by Anglo-Norman and Flemish settlers in the 1100’s. One impact of the pandemic was to close these sites to the public and then many remained closed for awhile after in order to carry out safety checks and ensure the area was safe for visitors. Castle Campbell reopened this year so I was keen to go back and experience it again.
I get shivers when I think of those who stayed here centuries before. There’s an energy that surrounds these sites and I’m more than happy to let my imagination tap into this, knowing I’m standing in the same spot, taking in the same view as, for example, Mary Queen of Scots who was here in 1563.
If you visit and can manage the stairs, the view from the top of the castle tower is magnificent. The view from the ground, looking out over the terraced garden is equally stunning and is a great location to take a seat and let yourself go back in time. It’s not a grand affair like Drummond Castle or Dunrobin Castle gardens; these are on a whole different level, but the simplicity and smaller scale of Castle Campbell has its own charm which will bring me back in future.
It’s sad that many of our castles were eventually abandoned and allowed to fall into disrepair. There are some that have been beautifully preserved, while others, are in varying states. The need to maintain our heritage is recognised today and it’s good to see effort being made to keep them viable for visitors. It costs though and it can be a slow and challenging process. But these sites connect us with our past and I believe it’s important to keep that connection alive.
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