Fletcher

Clan Fletcher of Dunans
The word fletcher means a "maker of arrows", and the medieval fletchers followed, and settled alongside, the clan whose needs they served. The Fletchers of Glenlyon served under the MacGregors. A family of Fletchers moved to Dunans from Achallader at the head of Glenorchy, where they were replaced by Campbells. Archibald Fletcher (1746-1828), born in Glenlyon, was the eldest son of a younger brother of Archibald Fletcher of Bennice and Dunans. A lawyer and reformer, he was also an abolitionist, and favoured the cause of American independence.

Clan Fletcher of Saltoun
Saltoun is in East Lothian, the estate being bought by the Fletchers of Innerpeffer, Angus, in 1643. Andrew Fletcher (d.1650) was made Lord Innerpeffer in 1623. His son, Sir Robert Fletcher of Saltoun and Innerpeffer (d.1665), married Catherine Bruce, daughter of Sir Henry Bruce of Clackmannan, who claimed ancestry from the grandfather of King Robert the Bruce. Their celebrated politician and political philosopher who strongly opposed the Act of Union of the Scottish and English parliaments in 1707.

Fletcher of Saltoun
By G. W. T. Omand (Famous Scots Series) (1897) (pdf)

The Lady of Marr kindly provided this information
The Dunans Castle only dates from 19th century because that is when it was elevated to castle status but there has been a settlement at Dunans since 1590.  The Fletchers arrived in 1764 bringing a door which gives the story of the Fletchers carrying the castle door from Auchlleder Castle from whence they were asked to leave (they were part of the MacGregors).

This picture is set into the wall of Dunans Castle.  The last Fletcher in residence  - Colonel Fletcher died just two years ago.  Dunans Castle also has its own chapel and a piece of intrinsically valuable linen gifted by the church to the Fletchers as a token since they funded much of Glasgow Cathedral which in turn nearly bankrupted the family.  The Mould of the original Flether Bow which is cast on top of the castle was recently discovered in the attic.  It is signed by the moulder and dated 1864.

Dunans Castle is a historical listed castle acknowledged as virtually the only significant example of Franco-Scots Baronial architecture in the West of Scotland (Scots Baronial - Mansion and Castle Restoration in the West of Scotland by historian Michael Davis). 

The present castle dating from around the early 19th century is built on a much earlier 15th century structure and is thoroughly impressive and breathtaking in impact.  It is a building designed to be seen along a single, controlled approach as one crosses the only access to the castle - an  ' A' listed bridge spanning a ravine along which the 2nd largest salmon river cascades, tumbles and falls - the castle suddenly appears as a distant but stunning vision which dominates the view as one curves up to its terraced setting and across its forecourt.

Its architect is unknown and its detailing suitably bold, relying extremely effective massing culminating in a tall tower with an open " round" clinging lamprey like to its upper works.  Although it is clearly High Victorian in tone it is not quite from the Bryce stable and has certain single-mindedness about its visual impact, which marks it out as a particularly powerful design.  There is nothing of the fanciful " toy castle " about this composition despite a lavish equipage of pantomime gunloops.