Texan steps in to protect 16th Century castle on Loch Lomond island

Work is set to begin at Elanvow, a tiny island in Loch Lomond, to secure the remains of a 16th Century castle and clan seat.

Houston-based Bruce McFarlin has applied to Historic Environment Scotland for permission to fell trees on the island in order to protect the castle from root damage and open up views to the scheduled monument.

The island was held by the MacFarlane clan from the 14th century with a castle built there in 1577 by its 14th chief, Andrew.

It is believed that James VI visited the castle, probably a four-storey pile with a tower or turret, to thank Andrew MacFarlane for supporting the Crown with the king served a goose feast for supper.

Elanvow is the most northerly island in Loch Lomond. PIC: IslandsProject/YouTube

​Mr McFarlin, a chemical engineer, does not own the island, also known as Island I Vow, but leads the Elanvow Preservation Fund (EVPF) which he set up to secure the future of the historic site for visitors and, in particular, those with MacFarlane ancestry.

​In an application to Historic Environment Scotland, he said: “We propose to perform preservation works on Island I Vow to remove trees. The presence of the trees has a visual impact on the monument and continued root growth of falling branches and trees is expected to damage the buildings on the site.

​"Removing the fallen trees would remove that visual impact and protect the integrity of outbuildings and tower walls.”

​Mr McFarlin first visited Elanvow with his family in 1994 with the trust later embarking on hours of physical work to clear the island of undergrowth and make it more accessible.

The remains of the 16th Century castle on Elanvow. PIC: IslandsProject/You Tube

​He earlier said the preservation of the island had been a “very, very personal journey” for his family and described the island as a “very special place”.

​There is no clear owner of Elanvow but there have three competing title owners in the past – Dennis Brian Squires of the Ardlui Hotel, the trustees of the Clan MacFarlane Charitable Trust and Douglas Laurence McFarlane of Bo’Ness. All have given permission for earlier work to be carried out.

​A statement on the EVPF website said: “EVPF has consistently indicated that it does not want to be involved in any way in the ownership dispute over Island I Vow and will continue to notify and work with all claimants consistent with Historic Scotland requirements.”

​Elanvow became the temporary seat of the clan in mid 17th century after Cromwell burnt out another island on the loch, Inveruglas. Archaeological remains from the island date largely to the 16th and 17th Century.

​The MacFarlanes moved to the mainland near the end of the 17th century and abandoned the island sometime in the 18th century.

​The castle became a substantial family home but it is unclear when it was last inhabited.

​Poet William Wordsworth visited the island in early 1800s and wrote the Brownie’s Cell, inspired by the building’s huge vaulted basement.

​It is hoped to carry out the clearance work by the end of September, with Historic Environment Scotland now considering Mr McFarlin’s application.

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