Macewen's Castle
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of 15 archaeological artefacts from Macewen’s Castle on the east shore of Loch Fyne. These date from the Neolithic period to the modern era, from about 4000 BC to 1900. This collection contains glass sherds, iron nails and stone implements such as perforated stones, discs, scrapers and blade flakes. There is also a coin identified as a James I Fleur de Lis groat and a 12th century crucifix made of copper alloy. The arms of the crucifix, originally outstretched, have been deliberately bent back behind the head. This may have been as an act of sacrilege during the Reformation or perhaps the figure was intended for melting down for reuse. There are nail holes through each hand and one between the feet for attachment to a base. The folds of the loincloth match that of a crucifix produced by the school of Reiner of huy, and as such the Macewen crucifix may have Mosan origins. Macewen’s Castle, also known as Caisteal Mhic Eoghainn, is now a ruinous dun. The Macewens settled on Loch Fyneside in the 14th century, but were ousted from the area by the Campbells around 1450.
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