Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel
Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel
Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel
4
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Visit the mighty stronghold of the ‘Kings of the Isles’ where Jacobite heroine Flora MacDonald was believed to have been held in prisoner. On an immense rock overlooking the Firth of Lorn near Oban stands the remains of one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland and the former stronghold of the MacDougalls. Built around 1220 by Duncan MacDougall, the son of Earl Somerled, known also as the ‘King of the Isles’, Dunstaffnage Castle was built at the height of the battle between Scotland and Norway for control of the Hebrides and was even once besieged by Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence.
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4.0
615 reviews
Excellent
222
Very good
279
Average
92
Poor
17
Terrible
5
Jane D
Manchester, UK34 contributions
Aug 2021
Ended up here after walking from Ganavan Sands. Reasonably priced and dogs were allowed in the building too. It's an accessible castle - not one of the largest ones we've seen but really well laid out (so to speak!) and we appreciated the drawings which showed what the castle would have looked like from certain viewpoints. The indoor bit was a bit boring with not much to see and it would have been great if the shop offered more than water or iron bru in terms of refreshments for two hungry and thirsty walkers! The chapel was worth a visit too, just to read the headstones/plaques which were interesting.
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CWPNova
Centreville, VA39 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Nicely put together. Although we were traveling without children we appreciated that they had activities in place for kids. Beautiful stop on a pretty day. They need better signage leading to the chapel. If the gentleman hadn't said something when we purchased our tickets we would not have known.
Written 1 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggie P
Tossa de Mar, Spain11 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
We discovered this beautiful landmark by accident, parking at 5pm. There were signs saying the car park would be locked at 5.30pm, so we decided to make the most of half an hour in the sunshine, exploring.
As we approached the castle, at 5.05pm, a member of staff was hastily locking up the toilets. He steadfastly avoided all eye contact, marched to his car, and
drove off.
As we wandered, watching the time, and taking photographs, another member of staff was making his early escape. He slowed his car, wound down the window, and said he was about to lock the car park. I pointed out we knew it closed at 5.30, but he informed us, ‘It closes when the castle closes.’ It was 5.15.
Presumably this means whenever the two guys who work there feel like leaving.
Scottish tourism at its worst…but sadly all too familiar.
As we approached the castle, at 5.05pm, a member of staff was hastily locking up the toilets. He steadfastly avoided all eye contact, marched to his car, and
drove off.
As we wandered, watching the time, and taking photographs, another member of staff was making his early escape. He slowed his car, wound down the window, and said he was about to lock the car park. I pointed out we knew it closed at 5.30, but he informed us, ‘It closes when the castle closes.’ It was 5.15.
Presumably this means whenever the two guys who work there feel like leaving.
Scottish tourism at its worst…but sadly all too familiar.
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are sorry to hear that your visit does not live up to your expectations and have raised this incident with our members of staff at the castle.
Last entry to the castle is 5pm which is when our staff members start to make visitors aware that the site will be closing soon, but are welcome to stay in the car park and visit the grounds. We always aim to provide a warm welcome to all of our visitors and apologise that we have not been able to achieve this on this occasion. Thanks again for your feedback.
Written 21 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richa M
Spokane Valley, WA60 contributions
June 2024 • Family
We found ourselves at the mercy of wet weather with our Mull/Iona tour cancelled and decided to explore Oban a bit more . At the last minute we decided to check out the castle. It was a 10 min easy drive from city center. We reached 1/2 hr before closing (4.30om) on website but last tickets are dispensed at 4.00. We made it and it was a great experience. We were able to explore the castle and grounds easily and there’s so much history . Stunning views from the top( obviously). Overall, perfect for a quick dip into history that is close to city and you can do in 30-40 mins.
Written 21 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan M
Coldingham, UK234 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
We arrived to be told we then had to get our tickets online. The castle was nice with a few history boards out on the way round. The views from the castle ramparts were awesome. We also went to the chapel which was interesting as well and the walk round the castle was great. Worth a visit if in the area. Social distancing was in place as was sanitisation.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave M
Alkmaar, The Netherlands254 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Found the castle quite impressive from the ourside. Looks great and must have been hard to conquer. The walk round the castle to the chapel and beaches is pleasant and differs from dark woodland to spacious loch views. Worth a visit.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toni D
7 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Great unplanned stop on the way out of Oban to Glencoe. This was not on our itinerary and we happened to notice a sign on the way to our next stop and it was well worth it. We had an explorer pass and it was included. We ended up spending about an hour there.
Written 14 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mishy1980
Aberdeen, UK130 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
This was recommended by my tour guide, lovely setting, great history and plenty of boards detailing the history of the castle. The little chapel was a hidden gem. Would recommend this as a visit if ever in Oban
Written 31 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirky
Green Hammerton, UK359 contributions
Dec 2019
I paid the £6 to go inside but was disappointed. There’s not much to see other than about five or so different rooms/areas each with a panel. A display at the start sets the scene. I was through in about 40 mins. The castle doesn’t seem to have much interesting history either.
My suggestion would be to make do with a free exterior view and look around the chapel ruins combined with a wander around the headland or down the coast to Ganavan.
My suggestion would be to make do with a free exterior view and look around the chapel ruins combined with a wander around the headland or down the coast to Ganavan.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your getting in touch and for letting us know your feedback and apologies for only getting back to you now. We value your thoughts and have shared them with all relevant teams. We believe there is quite a lot to see at one of the oldest standing castle remains in Scotland and we have benchmarked our prices to be in line with similar visitor attractions. Just to make you aware that entry to this site is included in a Historic Scotland membership and Explorer Passes for 3, 7 or 14 days to see more of our sites across Scotland. Thank you again for your comments.
Written 16 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nick M
London, UK8 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
To find the castle from the main road, you keep right along an access road, past a housing estate (under construction at the time of writing) and on through a very unpromising set of office buildings and car parks. Persist and you'll reach first the marine centre then, finally, a gate to the castle car park. From there it's a short walk up a good path to the castle.
It's a small castle with good views and some interesting history. Requires climbing steps to the castle and more to see all of it. Chapel in the woods is worth a quick look also.
It's a small castle with good views and some interesting history. Requires climbing steps to the castle and more to see all of it. Chapel in the woods is worth a quick look also.
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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