Tarbert Castle | Opening Hours | Visitor Info

Quick Navigation

Visiting Castle

Although it's been nearly 700 years since it had initially been rebuilt, the ruins of Tarbert Castle still remain, overlooking the village of Tarbert Loch Fyne in Scotland. Visitors are welcome, and access paths have been paved for anyone who wants to take a look. The castle dates back to the 11th century but was rebuilt in 1325 by King Robert I. Only a portion of the castle remains today, but it is still a popular place to visit.

Parking

There isn't designated parking for Tarbert Castle, but because it's close to Tarbert village, you can find parking there. If you go to the visitor information centre on Harbour Street, you should see a visitor path leading to the castle.

Price

Tarbert Castle is free and open to visitors.

Opening

Tarbert Castle is open to visitors 24/7, so there are no designated opening hours.

Location and Access

The entrance to Tarbert Castle is found across from the fish quay in Harbour Street, with the postal code PA29 6UD. The nearby village is called Tarbert Loch Fyne, and there’s the main access path where visitors can go to see the castle.

Know Before You Go

Before you go to visit Tarbert Castle, there are some essential things that you should know about the trails and their policies:

There are two primary walking trails: Tarbert Castle Trail and Corranbuie Trail. Tarbert Castle Trail can be really muddy and uneven, so you’ll want to be very careful when walking on it. Corranbuie trail can be similarly precarious. There are uneven gravel surfaces and some really steep slopes, so you'll want to be careful.
The paths leading to the castle can be very busy. Before you go, just be mindful that the trails that lead to the castle will likely be filled with tourists.
Campfires are prohibited. This is a stringent rule for the trails in Tarbert, so be mindful of this rule.

Places To Stay Nearby

If you're making the trip to visit Tarbert Castle, you're likely wondering where you can stay nearby. Luckily, Tarbert is a beautiful village with various places that you can stay if you choose. Here are some great hotels and Air B&Bs:

Islay Frigate Hotel: This hotel is $178 per night and includes a bar, garden, and a terrace.
Fasgadh Rooms: The rooms at this bed and breakfast are $98 per night, and the rooms look out onto beautiful lake scenery.
Portavadie Loch Fyne: This is a spa resort and costs $121 per night.

History of Tarbert Castle

If you're making the trip to visit Tarbert Castle, you're likely wondering where you can stay nearby. Luckily, Tarbert is a beautiful village with various places that you can stay if you choose. Here are some great hotels and Air B&Bs:

Islay Frigate Hotel: This hotel is $178 per night and includes a bar, garden, and a terrace.
Fasgadh Rooms: The rooms at this bed and breakfast are $98 per night, and the rooms look out onto beautiful lake scenery.
Portavadie Loch Fyne: This is a spa resort and costs $121 per night.

Time Line

-11th Century

The castle was likely just a hill fort and didn't yet have any royal significance by this time.

-1292

At this time, Tarbert was first constructed and first became a royal castle.

-1306

By this time, King Robert I became King and realized that the castle would need to be fortified to protect Tarbert adequately.

-1325

King Robert repaired and extended the castle. King Robert had lofty goals for additions to the castle and built a new courtyard.

-1329

King Robert died.

-1494

James IV resided at Tarbert, repairing damages from King Robert's reign. Parliament was summoned to the castle to alleviate a conflict arising in Kintyre.

-1705

The McAlister family occupied the castle as tenants. The McAlister family was a relatively wealthy family who stayed in the castle. This didn't last long, however, as it soon began to fall apart.

-1760

Tarbert Castle started to fall apart. Much of the stone of the castle was removed so that a harbour could be built.

Tarbert Castle Occupants

Throughout the years, Tarbert Castle has had many occupants, going from royal families to regular tenants. However, one thing that makes Tarbert Castle unique is that it has gone completely untouched for long periods, leaving gaps in its royal history.

Here’s a timeline of the castle's occupants:

1306-1329: King Robert I resided in the castle. He stayed here until he died in 1329.
1329-1494: In this timeframe, various tenants occupied the castle throughout the years.
1494: James IV resided at Tarbert.
The early 1500s-1555: Alan-nan-Sop was given possession of the castle.
1652: The "Round-heads" (or supporters of the English parliament) were given the castle, who fortified it.
1705: The McAlister Family resided in the castle as tenants.

Images of Tarbert Castle

Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package

Tarbert Castle Facts

Tarbert Castle is a popular tourist attraction for many reasons, one of which is its unique history.

Here are some interesting facts about Tarbert Castle:

The castle and surrounding trail are open to visitors 24/7, and paths have been created that take you from the village to the castle.
This castle was the one that King Robert I resided in while fighting to make Scotland a sovereign state.
While many other castles don't have many gaps in occupancy, Tarbert castle was largely abandoned in the middle of the 18th century.
During the time when it was abandoned, large pieces of the castle's stone were taken out to build a harbour.
In the middle of the 19th century, a large portion of the castle collapsed.

Tarbert Castle Q&A

Tarbert Castle is one of the most famous castles in Scotland, and because of that, it tends to attract many tourists. Here are some common questions that many people have about the castle:

Can Anyone Visit?

Anyone can visit Tarbert Castle. It’s open to visitors at all times.

Can You Go Inside?

There isn't really an "inside" of the castle. Instead, there are some remaining walls that indicate where the castle once stood. Because the castle is so old and collapsed in the 19th century, there isn't really a way to take a tour inside the castle.

Will It Cost Anything if I Want To See It?

Tarbert Castle is free to all visitors, so it won't cost you anything if you want to go see it. The only expense will be staying in Tarbert or in a surrounding area.

Is Tarbert Castle a Popular Tourist Destination?

Tarbert Castle is a popular tourist destination. This is why it's important to be aware of potentially crowded trails when you go.

Location of Tarbert Castle

Although the castle has been reconstructed and remodeled throughout the years, it has remained in Tarbert, Scotland, in a small village called Tarbert Loch Fyne. The village is located at the northern side of the Kintyre Peninsula.

Tarbert Castle’s address is Tarbert PA29 6UD, United Kingdom.

Other Places To Visit Near Tarbert Castle

While Tarbert Castle is definitely a popular tourist destination, there are plenty of other areas to visit nearby. If you're planning a stay in Tarbert, here are four great places you can visit:

Luckenbooth Gallery: This is a beautiful art gallery near the castle where you can also buy fresh baked goods and coffee.
Zing Organics: This is a gift shop in the area, known for the unique way that they make their products. If you visit this shop, you'll get to watch the employees make the products that they sell right in front of you.
The Corner House: This is a popular pub in the area that is open until 1 AM.
Shell Beach: If you’re looking to experience more nature during your stay, this is the place to go. A scenic path less than a mile from the castle leads to this secluded beach, known for having millions of shells scattered across the sand.