Site Report

WoSASPIN 5327
NS17SE 1 1522 7100.

(Name: NS 1522 7098) Castle (NR) (Ruin)
OS 6" map (1900)

Although a great proportion of it was standing c.1835, by 1864, only a small portion of one of the angles remained of Knockamillie Castle, which stands on the high ground straight up from the pier at Innellan. Nothing can be made out as to its size or strength, which, however, has had a courtyard of considerable extent, and must have played part in the fighting and skirmishes here in the 16th and 17th centuries.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1892; Name Book 1864

The remains of this castle consist of a portion of the S wall, with an open stairway, 6.0m long and 1.0m thick. A levelled area approximately 16.0m square outlined by earth-and-stone scarping lies to the N and W of the walling, while on the S is a curving scarp which ends at a modern wall.
Resurveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (IA) 5 March 1973

The remains of Knockamillie Castle (name not verified) are as described in the report above.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (TRG) 6 December 1976

Knockamillie Castle belongs to the later medieval period and has an association with Chapelhall. In 1473, James III granted Colin, 1st Earl of Argyll, the Keepership of Dunoon Castle and the surrounding land, including the lands of Innellan - of Knockamillie. Campbell probably built Knockamillie Castle for his own use and for his descendants at that time. In the 17th century the last Constable of Dunoon - still a Campbell - built Innellan House 1km to the south. That is the Old Mansion House which stood on Chapelhall ground and was only demolished in the 20th century. It is also relevant that the Sasines of the 16th century and also the rent rolls of 1751 link together Knockamellie and Cluniter - Cluniter being 'chamlettir' which previously paid rent to Whithorn.

Little remains of Knockamillie Castle. It was a large building but had been robbed to build many of the Victorian houses of Innellan. The size of the original structure can be judged from walking round the wall foundations, which can be felt under the grass.
Rennie, E.B., The Cowal Shore, (2006)
Entered WoSAS (MO'H) 25/10/2007