
What is recorded here
Dunstaffnage Castle is a ruined MacDougall fortress built in the 1220s on a narrow rock ledge above Loch Etive. Ewen MacDougall, who called himself King of the Isles, likely added its round towers and enlarged the hall before the Campbells took the castle around 1470. The name preserves a Norse hint, stafanes, a headland of staves, while the sea still enters the room through every window.
Scotland's National Record of the Historic Environment records Dunstaffnage Castle as Castle (medieval), Kiln (period Unassigned), Midden (period Unassigned), Structure (18th Century), Trench (13th Century). The official map says its point is accurate as follows: NGR given to the nearest 1m. The record does not by itself mean that the public may enter the place.
Dunstaffnage Castle was built in the 13th century by the MacDougall clan, Lords of Lorn, and later held by the Campbell family from the 15th century. It is important as a strategic stronghold in the history of the Scottish west coast and as one of the few surviving medieval castles in the region.
The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.
Places near here
Dunstaffnage CastleBuilding(s) (period Unassigned), Enclosure (period Unassigned) · 98 yd
Rubha GarbhHeadland · 135 yd
Dunstaffnage ChapelBurial Aisle (18th Century) (1740), Burial Ground (post Medieval), Chapel (medieval), Font (medieval)(possible) · 219 yd
DunstaffnageNo Class (event) (period Unassigned) · 331 yd
Dunstaffnage BayBay · 441 yd
Ocean Explorer CentreHeritage attraction · 472 yd
Eilean MorBuilding (period Unassigned) · 552 yd
Dunstaffnage Mains FarmFarmstead (post Medieval) · 1030 yd
Eilean BeagIsland · 1060 yd
Aonadh BeagMountain / peak · 1527 yd
Tom ArdMountain / peak · 1588 yd
Rubha Garbh-airdIslet · 1.6 miOther information
Photo: Michael Garlick · CC BY-SA 2.0