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Dunstaffnage Castle stands as one of the oldest stone castles remaining in Scotland. As all Argyll's castles, this former MacDougall stronghold potentially saw some of the most riveting events of history. Standing guard over the heart of Scotland--from the Firth of Lorne to the Pass of Brander--this imposing stone curtain wall still generates awe in visitors today.
Visiting Dunstaffnage Castle
Parking
A small car park for visitors with limited mobility is behind the castle, 50m (164.04ft) from visitor centre - Drop-off allowed 10m (32.81ft) from the visitor centre
The main car park is located 200m (656.17ft) from the site
Price
Adults - £6.00
Child (5-15yrs) - £3.60
Children under 5 - Free
Concession (65yrs+ and unemployed) - £4.80
English Heritage/Manx/Cadw Members - half price or free entry (booking is still required)
Pricing is subject to change - Click here for details
Opening
Open Saturdays - Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm between 1 November to 31 March - Advance booking required.
Closed Thursdays & Fridays, 25 and 26 December, 1 and 2 January - Monument sometimes closes for lunch.
Location & Access
Dunstaffnage Castle, Dunbeg, By Oban, Argyll, PA37 1PZ
From the A85: Take Jane Road to Kirk Road - Follow sign postings on Kirk to the main car park
Site access: Follow the gravel track from car park 200m (656.17ft) upward toward visitor's centre - Castle is then 25m (82.02ft) further
Know Before You Go
- Dogs on leads are allowed - only assistance dogs are permitted within roofed areas
- One adapted toilet is available for visitors on site
- The site and the surrounding woodland house pipistrelle bats, a rare species for the area
- Anticipate limited access to some spaces and safety measures in place upon reopening - Click here for more information
History of Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle sits in a historically strategic location that is believed to have once been fortified by the 7th-century stronghold known as Dun Mhonaidh, belonging to the Dál Riata Kingdom. Legend even says the Stone of Destiny was kept at the site, and the first King of Scots was crowned upon it.
Time Line
-1164
Somerled, "King of the Isles," was killed in battle and succeeded by his son Dubhgall. He later founded the Ardchattan Priory on a site about six miles (9.7km) east of Dunstaffnage by six miles.
-c.1220-1240 (Enclosure Built)
Argyll was in turmoil with the ongoing struggle between Norway and Scotland, each vying for control of the area. To defend his lands, Dubhgall's son, Duncan MacDougall, probably built the castle (or at least began construction) before he died in 1240.
The stronghold had a defensive wall with narrow slits for arrows and an intimidating stone curtain wall surrounding residential and service buildings.
-1249
The castle was believed to be King Alexander II's primary target in his campaign to seize control of the lands; however, his unexplained death in Kerrera spared the site from battle.
-1266
The Treaty of Perth freed Western Scotland of Norwegian control; The MacDougalls had obtained Royal favour and continued henceforth to secure a position of power in Argyll.
-1270’s (Towers Built)
Duncan's son, Ewan MacDougall, is credited with completing the castle. He probably raised the three round towers to both enhance defences and demonstrate his power.
-1296 (Wars of Independence)
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, the MacDougalls supported the English and eventually fell out of favour with Scottish royalty.
-1308 (Pass of Brander/MacDougalls Lose Castle)
The castle was confiscated from the MacDougalls by Robert the Bruce after they famously besieged at the Pass of Brander. Bruce later granted the lands of Clan Dougall to his allies, the MacDonalds and the Campbells.
-1321
As a reward for his support in 1308, Bruce granted Sir Arthur Campbell (ancestor of the MacArthur Campbells of Strachur) Constableship of Dunstaffnage Castle.
-1338 (MacDougalls Regain Castle)
When Sir Arthur Campbell died, the MacDougalls were re-granted much of their lands in Lorne, including the castle.
-1400’s (Stewarts Obtain Castle)
John MacDougall had escaped during the Pass of Brander and found refuge in England; Come the 15th century, his grandson had returned to Scotland upon the train of the English princess betrothed to King David II and had found royal favour.
He only had two daughters (no son) when he died, and he chose to leave them Dunstaffnage instead of passing Lordship to his MacDougall cousins. Both heiresses married Stewarts, and one of them thus became Lord of Lorne and owner of the castle.
-1460s-70s (Earls of Argyll Ownership/Campbells Build Gatehouse)
In 1463, John Stewart, the second Lord of Lorne, was murdered whilst en route to his wedding by a rebel MacDougall hired by the English; This then passed the castle and Lordship to his brother, Sir Walter. However, John's marriage was meant to legitimise his natural son, and conflict followed his death, as many locals sympathised with the child.
It is believed that Sir Walter decided the lands of Lorne weren't worth all the trouble and traded his Lordship for those of Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll, who had more fertile and non-violent lands in eastern Scotland. James III finally authorised the exchange in 1470.
The Earls of Argyll appointed Hereditary Captains Campbells of Dunstaffnage to maintain the castle on their behalf. Many of the castle's buildings were soon altered, including rebuilding one of Ewan MacDougall's 13th-century towers into a gatehouse.
-1502
Dunstaffnage was passed from the Earl of Argyll to his Campbell cousin, the castle's Hereditary Captain.
-Late 1500s (Castle Enhanced)
The castle underwent another rebuilding phase toward the end of the century; this included enhancing the gatehouse and replacing an old structure in the northwestern courtyard with a range of buildings.
-1640s-1684
The castle was garrisoned for multiple conflicts through the decades. Notably, it withstood an attack during the Civil War by the Earl of Montrose.
-1685 (Castle Burned)
The Earl of Argyll had attempted a failed uprising against James II/VII, which resulted in his execution and the castle being set on fire.
-1715
During the Jacobite Rising, government troops occupied the castle.
-1725 (New House Built)
The Campbells built over the west range with a new house, ignoring maintenance for the rest of the castle, which had begun to decay.
-1745-6
Governmental forces garrisoned the castle during the last Jacobite Rising; this was Dunstaffnage's final military use.
-1746 (Flora MacDonald Held Prisoner)
The castle served as a temporary prison for a few days to hold Jacobite Flora MacDonald after her arrest for assisting Bonnie Prince Charlies' evasion of the Redcoats following his defeat at Culloden.
-1810 (Second Fire)
A devastating fire ravaged the castle, causing the Captains to abandon the castle and move about 1mi (1.6km) southeast to the Dunstaffnage House. Tenants are said to have stayed in the newer house built in 1725 within the castle until 1888.
-1903 (Restorations Started)
The castle's owner, the Duke of Argyll, began restoration work on the castle.
-1912
The Court of Session ruled a case in favour of Angus Campbell, the 20th Hereditary Captain, stating his right to residency in the castle notwithstanding the Duke's ownership.
-1914 (Restorations Abandoned)
All construction plans for the castle were put on hold with the outbreak of WWI and ultimately never completed.
-1958-Present
The Duke of Argyll and the 21st Hereditary Captain agreed to put Dunstaffnage into state care. Today, the castle is a Historic Environment Scotland structure that is open to the public. It is also the seat of the Campbells of Dunstaffnage, who remain Hereditary Captains for the Dukes and Earls of Argyll.
Dunstaffnage Castle Occupants
The Clan MacDougall had held their 13th-century fortification for less than a century when Robert the Bruce installed Sir Arthur Campbell as Constable in 1308. The McDougals soon regained control for a few generations until the lack of a male heir in the 15th century landed the castle in the hands of the Stewarts.
Several decades later, James III granted ownership to the Earls of Argyll, who appointed the Campbells as keepers.
The Campbells have held Dunstaffnage now for five and a half centuries as Hereditary Captains for the Dukes and Earls of Argyll. Presently, the condition of continued tenure requires the Captain to fulfill a symbolic occupancy by spending one or three* nights in the gatehouse each year (*sources vary).
Images of Dunstaffnage Castle
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Dunstaffnage Castle Q&A
What Type of Castle Was Dunstaffnage Castle?
Dunstaffnage Castle has been described as a Castle of Enceinte--a French term meaning the "main defensive enclosure of a fortification."
When Was Dunstaffnage Castle First Built?
Whilst conclusive evidence of earlier fortifications from the 7th century is lacking, the structure known today is certainly dated to the 13th century. Nonetheless, the exact dates remain speculation among historians. Some believe the castle was first built circa 1220 by Duncan MacDougall and completed before his death in 1240.
Others suggest Duncan only began work before he died, and construction was completed by his son, Ewan. The latter is consensus-credited with building the circular towers around the enclosure before his death circa 1275. The point in question is whether Ewan's work was the castle's first enhancement or the original structure's long-awaited completion.
What Was the Main Use of Dunstaffnage Castle?
The original fortification served as a base for the Clan MacDougal. Although it saw plenty of action over the subsequent centuries, particularly from the Glorious Revolution through the Jacobite Risings that followed, and was garrisoned multiple times by governmental forces up until the mid-18th century.
The castle's final non-residential use was as a prison for Flora MacDonald in 1746 whilst she was en route to the Tower of London.
How Big Was Dunstaffnage Castle?
The enclosure walls are an irregular quadrangle measuring about 30x35m (98 ftx115ft) with an approximate 120m (390ft) circumference--its shape determined mainly by the bedrock platform upon which it rests. Including this geological projection, the walls rise 18m (60ft) high and are up to 3m (10ft) thick, each side initially crowned with a parapet.
The three towers added to the east, west, and north walls were uniquely tucked inside the castle instead of projecting outward--another result of the rocky outcrop--and probably topped with conical roofs.
A pit prison was in the west tower's basement, accessible from above via the parapet walk. The east tower was rebuilt into a four-storey gatehouse in the 15th century and remodelled to yield a private suite and reception rooms in the 18th century.
The north tower had initially been the largest, standing three or four storeys, and possibly contained the lord's private apartments. The great hall stood adjacent on the northeast wall and connected to another range along the northwest wall; This was rebuilt in 1725 into a two-storey house.
What Association Does Dunstaffnage Chapel Have With the Castle?
The ruined chapel that sits a short 150m (490ft) walk southwest of the castle was built around the same time by Duncan MacDougall, who used it as a private chapel. It is also believed the last Stewart Lord died here whilst reciting his marriage vows on the threshold.
It's likely the Reformation was responsible for its discontinued use, and it was ruined by 1740 when the Campbells built a roofless burial aisle as a family resting place on the building's east end.
Outstanding details remain on the stonework of this once highly decorated chapel. Dog-tooth carvings and wide-splayed internal arches are featured on the lancet windows, and a wooden screen divides the interior into a nave and a chancel. The whole structure measures 20x6m (66x20ft), and it's now-missing roof was made of timber.
Is Dunstaffnage Castle Haunted?
Like many castles, Dunstaffnage has a legendary ghost within its premises. Known as the "Ell-maid of Dunstaffnage," the ghostly gruagach is supposedly heavy-footed upon the wooden castle floors, and his appearances are associated with events from the Cambell's lives. Indeed, such a disturbance would be uncomforting for the Captain during his required annual occupancy.
Does Any of Dunstaffnage Castle Still Exist?
Dunstaffnage is a ruin, but the MacDougalls 13th century fortification ring stands largely complete. Along the east curtain wall, the original great hall's double-lancet windows are now blocked up, but their outline can still be seen. Conversely, only foundations of the east range remain.
The circular towers all survive as well as a rounded bulge in the southern wall. The 16th-century gatehouse stands as the only section with a roof and its insides intact, as it still serves as an occasional residence for the Captain of Dunstaffnage (Though it is still open to the public).
Visitors can peer through the gatehouse's upper windows or climb the ramparts to get an elevated view down into the castle's deep well; The original 13th-century well lies in the centre of the courtyard, though the stone surround dates to the 1800s.
Location of Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle is located in the Argyll and Bute area, some three miles from Oban in western Scotland. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the impressive site was built atop a rocky outcrop to guard Loch Etive's entrance and the mountain Pass of Brander, with its small bay offering a beach and anchorage for galleys. Today, this historically strategic location provides visitors with exceptional views.