Portal:Scotland/Selected article/Week 28, 2009

Loch Leven Castle is a ruined castle on an island in Loch Leven, in the Perth and Kinross region of Scotland. Possibly built around 1300, the castle saw military action during the Wars of Scottish Independence (1296–1357). In the later 14th century the castle was granted to William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, and remained in Douglas hands for the next 300 years. Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned here in 1567–1568, and forced to abdicate, before escaping with the help of her gaoler's family. In 1588, the Queen's gaoler inherited the title Earl of Morton, and moved away from the castle. It was bought, in 1675, by Sir William Bruce, who used the castle as a focal point in his garden, although it was never again used as a residence. Today, the remains of the castle are protected as a category A listed building, in the care of Historic Scotland. Loch Leven Castle is accessible in summer by the public via a ferry.

A castle may have been constructed on Castle Island by 1257, when the 16-year-old King Alexander III was forcibly brought here by his regents. During the First War of Scottish Independence (1296–1328), the invading English army held Loch Leven Castle, which lies at a strategically important position between the towns of Edinburgh, Stirling and Perth.