Dunstaffnage Castle
The many castles dotted around the indented coast of Argyll conform to the classic fairytale view of a castle; noble ruins, wild dramatic waterside backdrop and plenty of intrigue. Dunstaffnage is a fine examples.
The waterways around the region were a major source of communication and commerce throughout Argyll and the western islands and the establishment of power along these ways required strong castles. Dunstaffnage Castle overlooks what was one of the most important junctions in these sea-lanes, just north of Oban in the Firth of Lorn, one of the main routes between the mainland and the western isles. The castle dates from before 1275 and was built by the MacDougalls, Lords of Lorn, with powerful clan connections with the MacDonalds Lords of the Isles. It passed into the custody of the Campbells when they were made Earls of Argyll. During the Jacobean times it was garrisoned by government troops and in 1746 was the temporary prison of Flora Macdonald who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape custody following Culloden .
The castle is an unusual quadrangular shape, formed around an impressive outcrop of rock. Dunstaffnage retains its walled defences and many other features. Its 17th Century gatehouse survives and the excellent restoration of the castle allows you to climb the outer battlements and take in the great views across Loch Linnhe and the fantastic panoramas of the west highlands. Nearby is a small chapel, mostly in ruins but contains some interesting, ornate medieval grave slabs dating back to the 13th Century.
