Dunstaffnage Castle: A Tale of Stone and Struggle
1. Origins and Construction:
Dunstaffnage Castle, one of Scotland’s oldest stone castles, stands as a formidable mass of masonry guarding the seaward approach from the Firth of Lorn to the Pass of Brander.
It was likely built before 1240 by Duncan MacDougall, son of Dubhgall (Lord of Lorn) and grandson of the legendary Somerled, self-proclaimed ‘King of the Isles.’
These tumultuous times saw a fierce struggle between the Kingdom of Scotland and Norway for control of the Hebrides.
2. Wars and Sieges:
During the Wars of Independence (1296–1356), Dunstaffnage witnessed significant action. Robert the Bruce himself besieged the castle around 1308 after defeating the MacDougalls at the Pass of Brander.
The castle remained a royal stronghold until the 1460s when it passed into the hands of the Campbell earls of Argyll.
3. MacDougall Legacy:
Somerled, the MacDougall chief, founded Dunstaffnage’s predecessor, Ardchattan Priory, just six miles east of the castle.
Duncan MacDougall, likely responsible for Dunstaffnage’s construction, added a daunting curtain wall of stone and three projecting round towers to assert his power and enhance defences.
4. Flora MacDonald’s Imprisonment:
In 1746, Dunstaffnage hosted a remarkable guest—Flora MacDonald. She had aided Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) in his escape after the Battle of Culloden.
Flora disguised the prince as her serving girl, ‘Betty Burke,’ and helped him cross to Skye. However, she was arrested and briefly held at Dunstaffnage before being transferred to the Tower of London.
5. Natural Beauty and Bats:
Beyond its historical significance, Dunstaffnage Castle and
its surrounding broadleaved woodland are home to pipistrelle bats—a rare
species in the west of Scotland.
Location: Dunbeg, By Oban, Argyll, PA37 1PZ Phone: 01631 562 465
Have you ever visited a castle with such a storied history? Share your thoughts below!
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For more of the Castles in Scotland series visit:
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https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/dunstaffnage-castle-and-chapel-p248581
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