Kildonan Castle

Kildonan Castle consists of ruins positioned on coastal cliffs on the Isle of Arran, overlooking the island of Pladda and the entrance to the Firth of Clyde. The remains occupy a strategic location that once controlled western waters and is visible from nearby footpaths.

This fortress was built in the 13th century by the MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles, following the end of Norse rule in western Scotland. It was constructed during a period when Scottish control over the region became established.

The castle takes its name from Saint Donan, an Irish missionary from the 7th century who brought Christianity to the Pictish lands. This naming connects the fortification to an ancient religious legacy that shaped the region's spiritual identity.

The castle ruins sit on private land but can be observed from public footpaths that run along the Arran Coastal Way. The site is best visited during dry weather when the coastal trails are in good condition.

The castle walls are roughly 1.8 meters thick at their base and contain the remnants of a spiral staircase in the northeast corner. These structural features reveal the solid construction and careful planning of a medieval defensive structure.

Location: North Ayrshire

Location: Kilmory

GPS coordinates: 55.44280,-5.10556

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:06