Information and Accommodation around Argyll, Scotland

Dunstaffnage Castle, near Oban


Another Scottish castle which is open to the public all year round, has parking facilities and a visitor centre and gift shop. Dunstaffnage castle is only 3 miles east of Oban in the village of Dunbeg

Once the capital of Dalriada, (one of the names of the ancient Scots kingdoms), this castle was also built by the MacDougalls in the 13th century. It remains very much as it was then as is the smaller chapel and graveyard built around the same time. Alexander II of Scotland, who had taken a Scottish army as far south as Dover Castle in the early 13th Century, tried to remove the then incumbents as Norwegian puppets but the attempt failed and Alexander died “mysteriously” on Kerrera later that year!

In 1309, Robert the Bruce declared Dunstaffnage a Royal castle and appointed the ubiquitous Campbells as hereditary keepers. In the 15th century, the Earl of Argyll (another Campbell) took over ownership and in 1502 his cousin became “Captain of Dunstaffnage”.

James VI burnt the castle down to quash a rebellion in1685 but it was painstakingly restored and utilised as a Government garrison during the Jacobite Rebellion. Indeed, it was a holding prison for Bonnie prince Charlie’s sweetheart in 1746 before her long term imprisonment in London.

Dunstaffnage Castle just 2 miles from Oban

The castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland after being handed over in 1958.