Clan MacDougall 13th century to 1309 Scottish Crown 1309 to c.1470 Clan Campbell c.1470 to present
Open to the public
Yes
Condition
Partially ruined
Site history
Built
c. 1220s
Built by
Duncan MacDougall of Lorn
In use
13th century to 19th century
Materials
Local stone, sandstone
Dunstaffnage Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Dhùn Stadhainis) is a partially ruined castle in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It lies 3 miles (5 km) NNE of Oban, situated on a platform of conglomerate rock on a promontory at the south-west of the entrance to Loch Etive, and is surrounded on three sides by the sea.[1] The castle and the nearby chapel ruin have been a Historic Scotland property since 1958.[2] Both are Scheduled Ancient Monuments.[3][4]
The castle dates back to the 13th century, making it one of Scotland's oldest stone castles, in a local group which includes Castle Sween and Castle Tioram.[5] Guarding a strategic location, it was built by the MacDougall lords of Lorn, and has been held since the 15th century by the Clan Campbell. To this day there is a hereditary Captain of Dunstaffnage, although they no longer reside at the castle. Dunstaffnage is maintained by Historic Environment Scotland, and is open to the public, although the 16th century gatehouse is retained as the private property of the Captain. The prefix dun in the name means "fort" in Gaelic, while the rest of the name derives from Norse stafr-nis, "headland of the staff".
^One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Dunstaffnage". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 684.
^Castles of Scotland - Dunstaffnage Castle
^(Historic Environment Scotland & SM90120)
^(Historic Environment Scotland & SM90121)
^Tabraham, p.33
and 26 Related for: Dunstaffnage Castle information
DunstaffnageCastle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Dhùn Stadhainis) is a partially ruined castle in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It lies 3 miles (5 km)...
Dunstaffnage can refer to: Dunbeg, the Scottish village formerly known as DunstaffnageDunstaffnageCastle This disambiguation page lists articles associated...
in the UK. Also near Dunbeg is DunstaffnageCastle, part of the Campbell Clan and is owned by the Captain of Dunstaffnage. Archaeological excavations in...
Duncan and Ewan built many castles to defend their territory. These included DunstaffnageCastle, Dunollie Castle and Duntrune Castle on the main land. Whilst...
Seal of Scotland, Hereditary Keeper of the royal castles of Dunoon, Carrick Castle, DunstaffnageCastle and Tarbet, Admiral of the Western coasts and isles...
is resident in the loch. Just seaward of the mouth of the loch is DunstaffnageCastle. This was a stronghold of the kingdom of Dál Riata until the 9th...
Bellenden substituted Dunstaffnage for Evonium which led to the belief that the Stone of Scone was once kept at DunstaffnageCastle. Writer A. J. Morton...
(allies of the Comyns) at the Battle of Pass of Brander and took DunstaffnageCastle, the last major stronghold of the Comyns and their allies. Bruce...
prominent builder, notable for his construction of Ardchattan Priory and DunstaffnageCastle. Born at an unknown date probably somewhere in the mid 12th century...
(Vacant) Carrick Castle – the Duke of Argyll Dumbarton Castle – Brigadier Donald Hardie DunstaffnageCastle – the Duke of Argyll Tarbert Castle – the Duke of...
his closest kin were shipped to Inveraray Castle, although he was held in the dungeons of DunstaffnageCastle for the next five years. At Inverary, Sir...
Dun Na Cuaiche, Tower (Inveraray) Dunollie Castle Dun Skeig (Iron Age forts) DunstaffnageCastleDunstaffnage Chapel Easdale Island (Former slate quarry)...
of Edinburgh, Dumbarton and Stirling, along with Dunstaffnage, Dunollie, Blackness and Ruthven Castle, continued in use as practical fortifications. Tower...
numbers of mounted and heavily armoured knights. Feudalism also introduced castles into the country, originally simple wooden motte-and-bailey constructions...
independent marine science organisation. Sited on the Dunstaffnage peninsula, beside DunstaffnageCastle and near Oban, Argyll on the Scottish west coast,...
Home, and Secretary of State Archibald Whitelaw, James IV sailed to DunstaffnageCastle, where the local chiefs, including John MacLean of Lochbuie and John...
forfeited lands of his opponents. Arthur Campbell was made keeper of DunstaffnageCastle along with extensive territory in the district of Lorne. Later, during...
Marine Station may refer to: Scottish Association for Marine Science, DunstaffnageCastle, Argyll University Marine Biological Station Millport, originally...
MacDougall-Comyn position in the Western Highlands. After Alexander's seat, DunstaffnageCastle, was captured by Bruce forces in 1308, Alexander entered the King's...
constructions, but many were replaced by stone castles with a high curtain wall. In the late Middle Ages, new castles were built, some on a grander scale, and...
Tradition tell us that in 1445, while returning to his seat at DunstaffnageCastle from the great cattle tryst at Crieff, Sir John met and fell in love...
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