Dunstaffnage Castle

Dunstaffnage Castle is located 5 miles north of Oban on the west coast of Scotland. Of all the castles in Argyll, this has likely seen the most stirring events of history.

Dunstaffnage Castle looks square and impenetrable with round towers. The castle dates from the first quarter of the 13th century when it was probably built either by Duncan MacDougall, Lord of Lorne, or by his son Ewen who died before 1275. The family would hold Dunstaffnage for only 80 to 90 years before seized by Robert the Bruce in 1308 who then appointed the Campbell Clan as its hereditary keepers in the name of the Crown.

Bonne Prince Charlie's heroine, Flora MacDonald, was held prisoner here for a short time in 1746.

The castle of Dunstaffnage has remained in Campbell hands for over five hundred years. The Campbells of Dunstaffnage lived in the castle until a disastrous fire in 1810. However most of the historic belongings of the family were saved, only to be lost in another fire at Dunstaffnage House before the Second World War. The castle is said to have a ghost in a green dress, apparently a 'glaistig', a fairy woman, heralding events in the lives of the Campbell family.