Lost medieval castle unearthed on Scotland's Islay after centuries of mystery

A forgotten stronghold emerges from Islay's soil, rewriting history. Meanwhile, one couple's quest to visit every Welsh castle sparks new fascination with ancient ruins.

, and Administrator

2026 March 26 . 7:05 PM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white drawing of a castle in the middle of a field, surrounded by trees... — The image shows a black and white drawing of a castle in the middle of a field, surrounded by trees and a clear sky. At the bottom of the image, there is text which reads "The ruins of a medieval castle in Scotland". The castle appears to be in a state of disrepair, with its walls crumbling and its windows broken. The trees are tall and leafy, and the sky is a deep blue.

Lost medieval castle unearthed on Scotland's Islay after centuries of mystery

Archaeologists have uncovered a long-lost medieval castle on the Scottish island of Islay. The discovery at Finlaggan reveals a grand fortress linked to an ancient kingdom. Meanwhile, a UK couple is taking on a separate challenge—to visit all 641 castles in Wales by 2028. The newly found castle dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Its size rivalled major English strongholds like Carlisle, Bamburgh, and Lancaster. Inside, researchers identified a great hall, chapel, courtyards, kitchens, and private chambers.

Experts believe the castle was either dismantled due to structural problems or destroyed by enemies. Despite its historical importance, the site remained unknown and unnamed until now. The *Society of Antiquaries of Scotland* has not confirmed any similar undiscovered fortifications since this find. Elsewhere, a British couple has set an ambitious goal: visiting every Welsh castle by 2028. They are sharing their progress on social media, documenting each historic site along the way.

The Finlaggan discovery is now recognised as a nationally significant find. It offers new insights into Scotland's medieval past. The couple's Welsh castle challenge, meanwhile, continues to draw attention to the UK's rich architectural heritage.