Description

The monument consists of the remains of Talla Castle, which belonged to the Earls of Menteith.

This complex residence occupies the greater part of the small island of Inchtalla which is located SW of the Isle of Menteith. The castle buildings are grouped round a central courtyard. They date from the seventeenth century and supercede an earlier residence. The N section

of the island has a rectangular, unvaulted hall with a square stair tower projecting from the NW angle. Its walls survive to wall head (c.5m) level, excepting the tower which is reduced to a height of 1m. The hall had an upper floor divided into two apartments. The masonry

is of neat thin coursed stone with large freestone dressings. The tower contained the staircase to the upper floor and had three rooms in each of three stories. To the E of the hall is the brew-house a rough drystone construction of rectangular plan, its walls are reduced to under 1m in height. The S portion of the island is occupied by the "high house". Its masonry is coarser than that of the N range. This L-shaped vaulted keep is the oldest building on the island. It had a square exterior stair tower projecting from the N wall. Contained in the W wing was the kitchen which had an exterior oven of circular shape. Extending from the kitchen along the W side

of the island is a range of buildings that were the servants apartments. The presence of rows of corbels and put-log holes on the exterior walls of the N and S buildings suggest that much of the castle was furnished with a wooden walkway extending over the Lake.

The area to be scheduled is irregular and measures a maximum of 100m NW-SE by 50m to include the entire island, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a residence of late medieval date. Inchtalla itself has been the site of earlier occupation: the seat of the Earls of Menteith since the 13th century. The 17th century castle is well documented and invetoried. This evidence combined with that preserved by its physical remains is valuable to those researching the development of defensive architecture and the domestic lives of those who occupied the island. Additional significance is given to the site due to its connection with the foundation and patronage of the Augustinian priory of Inchmahome by Walter Stewart, Earl of Menteith.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NN50SE 5.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland