Inchmurrin Island: Scene of Power and Intrigue
Loch Lomond’s tranquil waters mirror more than just the Scottish sky—they reflect a legacy steeped in nobility, conflict, and whispers of betrayal. Among its 30-plus islands, Inchmurrin, the largest, holds perhaps the deepest layers of intrigue. Once the principal seat of the powerful Earls of Lennox, Inchmurrin was more than a scenic retreat—it was a political hub, a romantic backdrop, and ultimately, the witness to a fatal downfall that altered the course of Scottish history.
Beneath the quiet rustle of its woodlands and the moss-covered ruins of its castle lie stories that define an age of dynastic struggle and royal suspicion.
A Fortress on the Loch
Inchmurrin, derived from Innis Moirean—the Island of Saint Mirren—was both sacred and strategic. Located in the southern reaches of Loch Lomond, the island’s position offered natural defense, ample resources, and isolation ideal for private negotiations or retreats. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the island became the primary residence of the Earls of Lennox, one of Scotland’s most powerful noble families.
At the heart of the island stood Inchmurrin Castle, a sturdy, stone-built keep surrounded by thick walls. Though now in ruins, the fortress once symbolized the immense reach of the Lennox clan. From its high windows, the Earl could survey the loch and command the heart of western Scotland.
It was here that Duncan, the 8th Earl of Lennox, made fateful choices that would entangle his family with the most powerful figures in the land—and bring them all to ruin.
Marriage, Power, and Execution
In 1391, the quiet of Inchmurrin’s halls was broken by a marriage contract of great consequence. Duncan’s daughter, Isabella of Lennox, married Murdoch Stewart, the Duke of Albany and the de facto ruler of Scotland during King James I’s captivity in England. It was a union designed to consolidate power and secure the Lennox legacy.
But in politics, especially in feudal Scotland, alliances often led to suspicion—and suspicion to execution.
Upon his return to Scotland in 1424, James I sought to crush the Albany Stewarts, whose dominance during his absence was seen as treacherous. Duncan Lennox’s link to the Duke placed him squarely in the King’s crosshairs. Despite his age—he was about 80—Duncan was arrested and beheaded in 1425, alongside his son-in-law and grandson. Murdoch’s wife, Isabella, now widowed and childless, returned to Inchmurrin, where she would spend her remaining days in grief and seclusion.
Her tale is one of quiet dignity amid national turmoil. A devout and charitable woman, she later founded the Collegiate Church of Dunbarton, where she would be remembered not for her misfortunes, but for her piety and benevolence.
A Royal Prize
With Duncan’s execution and the forfeiture of the Lennox lands, Inchmurrin passed into royal hands. The castle became a crown possession and, like the rest of the dismembered Lennox earldom, was awarded to royal favorites. In 1473, Sir John Stewart of Darnley was declared heir to part of the Lennox estates, including Inchmurrin. This Stewart connection would eventually tie the island to the Stuart monarchs themselves, including James VI of Scotland, who would ascend the English throne as James I.
Thus, Inchmurrin passed from noble inheritance to royal asset, its importance unchanged but its masters altered by politics and time.
Echoes Across the Water
Today, Inchmurrin is a quiet island retreat with a private estate, a small ferry, and the weathered remains of its once-proud castle. Yet, for those who know the history, each stone speaks of ancient ambition and whispered betrayals. The rustle of wind in the trees might echo Isabella’s lament, and the calm waters surrounding the island are the same that reflected the torches of royal messengers and the shadows of political intrigue.
Inchmurrin was more than a residence—it was a stage on which love, power, and betrayal played out. And though its castle has crumbled, its story has not.
Adapted From: Maughan, W. C. (1897). Annals of Garelochside: Being an account historical and topographical of the parishes of Row, Rosneath and Cardross. A. Gardner.
