Claypotts Castle

Claypotts Castle is a fortified residence in Dundee with two round towers flanking a rectangular central structure. The building displays spiral staircases and decorative stone corbels at different levels throughout its design.

John Strachan built this Z-plan tower house between 1569 and 1588, as dates carved into the building stones demonstrate. The construction occurred during a period when Scotland was modernizing its defensive fortifications.

The structure shows Scottish defensive architecture through its round towers, which allowed guards to monitor all sides of the central building. This design approach shaped how castles were built in Scotland and reflects the defensive strategies of that era.

The interior remains closed, but visitors can examine the exterior architecture and photograph the castle from various angles throughout the year. The site is freely accessible, allowing you to spend time exploring the outside at your own pace.

The castle retains its original timber roof and architectural elements from the 16th century with minimal changes across five centuries. This continuity makes it a rare example of nearly unaltered Renaissance architecture in Scotland.

Location: Dundee City

GPS coordinates: 56.47639,-2.89000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45