Dunstaffnage Castle

Dunstaffnage Castle is a stone fortress built on a rocky hilltop with thick defensive walls, round towers, and fortifications overlooking the Firth of Lorn. The site contains multiple structures within the curtain wall, including a roofless chapel and residential quarters spanning different periods.

The fortress was founded around 1220 by Donnchadh of Argyll and first served as a stronghold for the MacDougall clan. The Campbell family later gained control and maintained it as a strategic centre of power for centuries.

The castle served as a seat of power for rival clans who controlled the surrounding lands and sea routes through this stronghold. Today, walking through its grounds gives you a sense of the authority such a fortress commanded over the region.

Start your visit at the landing area and work systematically through the inner buildings to get a full sense of the layout. Wear sturdy shoes since the uneven stone surfaces and sloping ground require careful footing.

The chapel contains stone carvings of animals and plants from the 13th century that show the skill of medieval stonemasons working in this region. These carvings are among the few surviving examples of decorative work from that era in this area.

Location: Argyll and Bute

Inception: 1220

Founders: Donnchadh of Argyll

Website: https://historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dunstaffnage-castle-and-chapel

GPS coordinates: 56.45465,-5.43694

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:05