Kisimul Castle is found on the way in to Castlebay ferry terminal on the Isle of Barra . The castle is owned by the clan MacNeil and is open to public visits between April and September .

It is thought the earliest building on the small island was a chapel built around the year 1000 , but the more significant structure found standing today dates back to around the early 1400's

The castle withstood several attacks from the clan MacNeil's enemies during the 1500's and 1600's but after being almost completely destroyed by fire the castle fell into ruin .

Only after Robert MacNeil , the 45th clan chief purchased the estate did the restoration of the castle begin