Dunstaffanage Castle

This stop is available with most other tours

Dunstaffanage Castle

The Dunstaffanage Castle was set up during the 13th Century as a defense base for Clan MacDougall. However, it later became Clan Campbell's property. It's situated on northern Oban overlooking the Western Isles and Ardmucknish Bay.

Duncan MacDougall, the King of Isles, set up this formidable structure during the early 1200s to defend against the Norwegian armies seeking to conquer the Hebrides. Dunstaffanage Castle's imposing fortifications are still an incredible sight to behold.

 

Flora MacDonald is the most well-known occupant of the castle. In 1746, he was shortly imprisoned here for helping Prince Bonnie Charlie escape to France.

 

The structure comprises a curtain wall that safeguards residential buildings (mostly in ruins currently), with a gatehouse and protruding round towers. The gatehouse is still in impressive condition and is the occasional residence of the Dunstaffanage Captain.


We're told that one of the requirements of the Dunstaffanage Captain's continued service is to spend not less than three nights annually in the sixteenth-century gatehouse. We've also been told that that castle is haunted by a ghost, a fairy woman in a green dress.


Inside the Castle, you can peek into the unfathomable well lying at the nervous of the courtyard. You can climb onto the castle bulwark for an elevated view. 

You'll find multiple exhibits showing the MacDougall Clan's history and the castle's role in the Scottish Western Isles' history near the gift shop. 


Ascending the sharp steps towards the main entry leads you across the fortified structures and out towards the main courtyard comprised of deep cellars and ruined walls for your kids' entertainment. 


As you leave the castle, you can explore the maintained grounds comprising multiple pathways leading to the nearby woodland. Here, you'll find Dunstaffanage remains, which provide an exciting collection of ruins for explorations.


The property has to be closed occasionally due to un-conducive weather conditions and other issues beyond our control.

Our trained personnel will guide you through the property while giving educative information about the castle. 

We hold a vast reputation for putting our visitors' safety and interest at heart. For more information about Dunstaffanage Castle, call us now.

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