Stella Power Design

Standing atop a rock outcrop three miles north of Oban, is the ruined Dunstaffnage Castle. It is an impressive fortification situated on a platform of conglomerate rock forming a promontory at the south-west of the entrance to Loch Etive on the Firth of Lorn and is surrounded on three sides by the sea. The shape of the castle wall is an irregular quadrangle and was largely determined by the contours of the rock on which it stands.

The strategic location, overlooking what was once the most important junction of the sea-lanes on the west coast of Scotland, and the presence of such an inviting lump of rock on which to build, means that this has been a defended site for nearly 1500 years.

In the 600s the Kings of Dalriada, the Kingdom of the Scots who migrated to Argyll from Ireland, built a stronghold here. It is even suggested that this was the original keeping place of the Stone of Destiny prior to its removal to Scone Palace in 843.

The castle itself was built by Duncan or Ewen MacDougal around 1275 (Lords of Lorn). In 1309 it was captured by Robert Bruce. The castle was then turned over to the Campbells in 1470. Bonne Prince Charlie's heroine, Flora MacDonald, was held prisoner here for a short time in 1746.

The adjoining chapel, in a very ruinous state, was constructed by the Lords of Lorn and is the burial-place of the Campbells of Dunstaffnage.

A4 Glossy Print