11 Amazing Scottish Castles In Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute is the best place in Scotland to find romantic ruined castles. This is an alphabetical list of the best castles in Argyll and Bute.
From well-preserved medieval strongholds and fairy tale chateaus to haunted tower houses, there is so much to explore. If you find yourself in Argyll & Bute, get off the beaten track and discover these lesser-known gems of Scotland.
You will find castles, gardens, grounds and museums to explore near Oban, the Cowal peninsula, Inveraray and the Isle of Mull. This list helps you guide yourself through all the sightseeing opportunities.
Carnasserie Castle
A picturesque 16th-century roofless ruin located on a small hill. Long ago, it was a lovely residence incorporating many of the latest Renaissance influences such as corbelled angle turrets, gun loops and an impressive armorials panel above the entrance.
Five storeys are still intact and you can make out the impressive hall attached. The castle is a short walk to get there, alternatively, you can follow other paths if you fancy longer hikes.
Reading the story of the old castle helps you imagine what life would have been like when the castle was in full operation. You can climb the circular stairs to the very top of the castle and get some great views down to Kilmartin Glen.
Kilmartin Glen is home to a range of marked stones, cairns and standing stones, some of which are visible from the tower. There is no entrance fee and there is plenty of parking space.
This castle is located near Kilmartin. Carnasserie Castle is a fifty-minute drive south of Oban on the A815. Historic Scotland manages the building today.
Carrick Castle
It is a long drive to get to this spot, but it is well worth the drive. The Campbells of Loch Awe built the earliest sections in the late 14th century.
Mary Queen of Scots spent a night at the castle in 1563. This is a perfect destination for photographers as Loch Goil is gorgeous in the background.
There are several scenic walks from Carrick Castle. The castle is now in private ownership and can only be viewed from the outside.
Located on the western shore of Loch Goil, seven kilometres south of Lochgoilhead. The castle is located within Argyll Forest Park, also, it is within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Duart Castle
A 13th-century castle which was the ancient ancestral seat of the Clan MacLean for more than 700 years. Located on the high sea cliffs on the Isle of Mull, overlooking the Sound of Mull.
This castle was perfectly situated for defence and is one of the oldest surviving privately owned Clan Castles in the Scottish Highlands.
In the 18th century, the Duart Castle had fallen into ruin and then in 1911, it was refurbished. The refurbishment allows visitors to enter the rooms of Duart Castle to admire the Great Hall, state bedroom and others.
An exhibition centre on the top floor of the castle tells the story of the chiefs of the Clan.
The grounds of the castle, the tearoom, the shop and the fantastic views are free for everyone to enjoy. You can enter Duart Castle by purchasing a ticket which can be purchased on arrival.
Tickets for entry to the castle are £8.50. Duart Castle can be accessed by foot from the Ferry terminal in Craignure, which is a three-mile walk.
Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds
Clan MacDougall has a lot of history in this castle. The stronghold was built for the Clan MacDougall in the 12th and 15th centuries.
Visitors can learn about the Nobel MacDougall family and life on the west coast of Scotland through exciting exhibitions and displays. You can visit the 1745 Museum House and learn about the social history and view the “Women of Dunollie” textile collection.
There are lovely grounds and enchanting woodlands including a Faerie Garden to walk around.
Also, you can walk around the castle ruins and be amazed by the views of the Isles in Oban Bay. Dunollie Castle is located just a couple of miles north of Oban.
Tickets for adults cost £6 for access to the museum, castle grounds and ruins. The site is open during the warmer seasons.
Dunstaffnage Castle
A ruined 13th-century castle located on the west coast of Scotland, located near Oban. This stronghold belonged to the MacDougall Clan chief.
It was built during the height of the battle between Scotland and Norway and was once besieged by Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence. Jacobite heroine Flora MacDonald was believed to have been held as a prisoner.
The main part of the castle has multiple floors and a spiral staircase. Dunstaffnage Castle looks square with round towers. The grounds are lush and beautiful.
Also, there is an old chapel and some ancient gravestones. It is said that there is a ghost on site, who wears a green dress, a fairy woman. There is a tiny souvenir shop and a small exhibition on the site.
Entry to the castle for adults costs £7. The site is currently managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Dunstaffnage Castle is a ten-minute drive from Oban.
Inveraray Castle
An 18th-century gothic-style Clan Campbell castle home. This is a lovely imposing structure with great architecture in a very picturesque setting.
The ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell whose family have resided in Inveraray since the early 15th century. Roger Morris designed the castle and Robert Mylne decorated the castle.
Inside you can admire lavish interiors in parts of the castle as other parts are still lived in. Visitors can admire the Armoury Hall; items preserved from the Battle of Culloden are on display.
There are examples of Scottish, English & French furniture, precious artworks and a tapestry collection in the Dining Room and Drawing Room.
Also, there are beautiful gardens and walks around the grounds. There is a wide variety of trees and flowers, from rhododendron to larch.
You can admire bridges, and an ice house and you can spot a herd of highlands coos. There is a nice cafe and gift shop on site.
It is a great place to explore. Inveraray Castle is located near Loch Fyne near Inveraray.
It takes one hour drive from Oban to get to the castle. Inveraray Castle is open from April through to October each year.
Kilchurn Castle
A impressive 15th-century castle ruin located on the side of Loch Awe. Kilchurn Castle is one of the most photographed castle ruins in Scotland.
The peak of Ben Cruachan is visible and makes a dramatic setting for the castle.
This fortress has a long interesting history, first it was a comfortable residence then went to be a garrison stronghold. Kilchurn Castle contains a five-storey tower house, a lower hall, a courtyard and barracks.
The castle was owned by the Lords of Glenorchy. Kilchurn remained their power base for 150 years.
Then in the 18th century, it was abandoned. From the car parking area, you only have to walk ten minutes to the castle.
Due to safety reasons, you can only view the exterior of the castle. Kilchurn Castle is a thirty-five minute drive from Oban.
Old Inverlochy Castle
Old Inverlochy Castle is a castle ruin which was built back in the 13th century. The castle is located on the banks of River Lochy near Fort William.
This was a strategic position, a good defensive site, and the castle played a huge part in Scottish history.
As you walk around what is left of the castle, you can feel there is so much history among the walls.
Old Inverlochy was defended by a three-sided moat, four rounded corner towers and two opposing entrances protected by barbicans – one is still standing at full height.
There used to be a moat circulating the structure, you can still see the outline and imagine how epic it would have been back in medieval times.
Skipness Castle
In the early 13th century, Skipness Castle was established by the MacSween family. Then in the castle was passed to the Stewart Earls of Mentieth, then MacDonalds then finally to the Campbell earls of Argyll.
The tower house has been restored partially, with floors and a wooden staircase that takes you up the spiral staircase onto the parapet of the tower.
From here, you will get amazing views across Kilbrannan Sound towards Lochranza village and the mountains of the Isle of Arran.
The Chapel of St Brendan, also known as Kilbrannan Chapel, is located a few hundred metres from the castle. There is some very fine stone masonry on the chapel, but years of weathering has dulled the detail.
The castle ruin is currently managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Skipness Castle is located on the Cowal peninsula just past Tarbet. From here you can enjoy amazing views over to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran.
Castle Stalker
Castle Stalker is a stunning sight, located on a rocky outcrop, set on a tidal islet called Loch Laich just off Loch Laich. The four storey ruin just not far from Port Appin in Argyll.
In the 14th century, the castle was built on the site of a small residential fort for the MacDougalls, who were the Lords of Lorn.
In 1620 the castle was lost in a drunken wager and became the property of the Campbells of Airds. However, the Swearts reclaimed it shortly after.
The Airds built a new house on the mainland in the 19th century. That allowed the castle became a storehouse, which became abandoned and neglected.
You can access the castle when the tide is out, however, this is not recommended as when the tide comes in you can get stuck. Castle Stalker is a thirty-minute drive north of Oban.
It is worth the drive for this iconic view. The castle is privately owned and boat tours can be organised to the castle.
Tioram Castle
Tioram (pronounced Cheerum) is a 13th-century castle ruin which was once the ancient fortress of the MacDonalds. There is a large pentagonal, round angled, curtain wall enclosing the castle.
Also, the building features a cellar, rounded turrets, a wooden feating hall and a small 14th-century tower.
The location of this ruin is between Loch Moidart and the River Shielon on the rocky tidal island of Eilean Tioram. The exterior of the castle can be visited at low tide, a part from that it is usually closed to visitors.
There are safety warning in place, however you can get a good view of the ruin from a distance. Follow the Castle Tioram Circular Path for great views of Tioram Castle and the Small Isles (Eigg, Muck & Rum).
Is Inveraray Castle still owned by the Duke of Argyll?
The current clan chief, the 14th Duke of Argyll, Sir Torquil Ian Campbell resides in the castle. Sir Campbell lives with high wife, Eleanor and his family.
Which castle belongs to the Duke of Argyll?
Inveraray Castle is an 18th century Tudic castle which is a seat of Clan Campbell. The castle is home to the Dukes of Agyll.
This castle is not too far from Loch Fyne and it is set in the gorgeous western highland scenery. The castle is also recognised as Downton Abbey’s “Duneagle Castle”.
Final Note
Argyll and Bute is a wonderful part of western Scotland. There are so many things to explore from historic buildings including castles and tower houses to the gorgeous landscape including mountains and lochs.
The western part of Scotland is home to so much interesting history which you can learn about by visiting the well-preserved castles or the crumbling ruins.
The castles also provide a nice place to spend an afternoon for a walk, strolling around the grounds or adventuring out to get amazing views of the ruins and their impressive backdrops. Also, the ruins of castles are a haven for photographers.
There are many castles to explore on the islands of Scotland. Also, there are many castle ruin near Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee.