
What is recorded here
Dunstaffnage Castle is a partially ruined castle of enceinte built c. 1220s by Duncan MacDougall of Lorn, controlled by Clan MacDougall until 1309, then the Scottish Crown until about 1470, and Clan Campbell since, on a sea-cliff above the entrance to Loch Etive. Its name joins Gaelic dun, a fort, with Norse staffa nes, a headland of staves, as if two tongues had argued the cliff into shape. The castle still stands beside a chapel ruin, watched by water and memory, while a hereditary Captain of Dunstaffnage keeps a thread of its old life intact.
Scotland's National Record of the Historic Environment records Dunstaffnage Castle as Findspot (period Unassigned), Borer (flint)(period Unassigned). The official map says its point is accurate as follows: NGR given to the nearest 100m. 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. It is important as a strategic coastal stronghold and one of the oldest surviving 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) · 33 yd
Dunstaffnage ChapelBurial Aisle (18th Century) (1740), Burial Ground (post Medieval), Chapel (medieval), Font (medieval)(possible) · 130 yd
DunstaffnageNo Class (event) (period Unassigned) · 211 yd
Rubha GarbhHeadland · 250 yd
Ocean Explorer CentreHeritage attraction · 350 yd
Dunstaffnage BayBay · 455 yd
Eilean MorBuilding (period Unassigned) · 674 yd
Dunstaffnage Mains FarmFarmstead (post Medieval) · 908 yd
Eilean BeagIsland · 1181 yd
Aonadh BeagMountain / peak · 1413 yd
Tom ArdMountain / peak · 1487 yd
Ganavan SandsBeach / strand · 1.6 miOther information
Photo: Peter Amsden · CC BY-SA 2.0