Carnasserie Castle Carnasserie Castle ( also spelled Carnassarie ) is a ruined 16th century tower house , noted for its unusual plan and renaissance detailing . It is located around 2 km to the north of Kilmartin , in Argyll and Bute , western Scotland , at . History . The castle was built by reforming churchman John Carswell , who was Rector of Kilmartin , Chancellor of the Chapel Royal at Stirling , and later titular Bishop of the Isles . Carswell published the first book to be printed in Scottish Gaelic , a translation of John Knox ' s " Book of Common Order " . Construction began in 1565 using masons brought from Stirling . Although the castle was notionally built for Carswell ' s patron , the Earl of Argyll , he intended it as a personal residence for himself . On Carswell ' s death in 1572 , the castle passed to his patron , the Earl of Argyll . Later , in 1643 , the 8th Earl of Argyll sold Carnasserie to Sir Dugald Campbell , 3rd Baronet of Auchinbreck . Following the 9th Earl ' s failed uprising in support of the Monmouth Rebellion , against James VII in 1685 , the castle was blown up by Royalist forces . Although the outer walls remain largely undamaged , the ruins were never repaired . In the 19th century the estate was sold to the Malcolms of Poltalloch , who also own nearby Duntrune Castle . Today it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of Historic Scotland ( no entrance fee ; open in summer ) . Architecture . Carnasserie has only ever been slightly altered , in the late 17th century , and so presents an accurate picture of 16th - century architecture . Although sited on raised ground close to a strategic pass at the head of Kilmartin Glen , it was designed more for domestic rather than military purposes . The castle comprises a 5 storey tower house , with a longer three storey hall house , providing a substantial range of accommodation . At basement level are the remains of cellars and a kitchen with a large fireplace and water inlet . Above this is the large hall . This is connected to a large drawing room in the tower house , which retains its stone floor and large fireplace with carved stone decoration . A broad stair rises from the entrance to the hall , contained in a small tower to the north - west . A second smaller stair leads up from the hall to the parapet walk on three sides of the tower house . Upper rooms would have contained bedrooms The exterior displays numerous " double keyhole " gunloops , as well as decorative string courses and corbelling . Over the entrance are blank panels framed by carved supports , as well as the arms of the 5th Earl of Argyll with the motto DIA LE UA NDUIBHNE , " God be with O ' Duine " , referring to the semi - legendary ancestors of Clan Campbell . At the top of the tower are the remains of open rounds along the parapet , and a caphouse above the stair . Fragments of carved drain spouts have been found , and are on display in the cellars . To the south and west is a partially walled courtyard garden . An archway bears the inscription SDC LHL 1681 , for Sir Duncan Campbell , 4th Baronet and Lady Henrietta Lindsay , whose support for Argyll ' s uprising led to the castle ' s destruction .