Aros Castle

Built in the 13th century, Aros Castle was strategically positioned to control the Sound of Mull and the sea routes between the Scottish mainland and the Inner Hebrides. The castle served various Highland clans and royal officials who sought to control this vital maritime passage. Its location near the modern settlement of Salen made it a crucial link in the network of castles that secured Scotland's western seaboard. Though now ruined, Aros Castle's massive walls demonstrate the importance placed on controlling Highland sea routes during medieval times. The castle's history reflects the complex politics of the Lordship of the Isles and the Scottish crown's efforts to assert authority over the Highlands.