|
Clan MacDougall.net
Clan MacDougall Castles
 |
| Dunollie Castle |
DUNOLLIE
Dunollie Castle is a small ruin located on a hill north of the town of Oban, on the West Coast of Scotland. It commands a view of the town, harbour and, outlying Isles. The ruin is accessible by a short, steep path. There is no entrance fee, nor is there parking space below the castle.
There was a fortification on this high promontory (Dun Ollaigh) in the days of the kingdom of Dalriada in the 7th century.
Ewan MacDougall, the third chief of the MacDougalls, probably built a castle there in the 13th century. The existing castle ruins date from the 15th century.
The MacDougalls, the Lords of Lorne, were direct descendants of Somerled, Lord of the Isles, at a time when the Western Isles were part of Norway. Dougall, Somerled’s son held most of Argyll and also the islands of Mull, Lismore, Jura, Tiree, Coll and many others in the 12th century.
The MacDougalls lost the land after siding with MacDougall kinsmen, the Comyns, and fighting against Robert the Bruce. John Stewart of Lorne returned the estates to the clan.
The Marquis of Argyll captured the castle in 1644, but it was returned to the MacDougalls in 1661. In 1746, the MacDougalls abandoned Dunollie Castle and built Dunollie House just downhill from the castle ruins.
DUNSTAFFNAGE
 |
| Dunstaffnage Castle |
Dunstaffnage Castle is located 5 miles north of Oban on the West Coast of Scotland.
Once the capital of Dalriada, the original Kingdom of the Scots, it was to here that The Stone of Destiny was brought over from Ireland via Iona. In the mid-ninth century with the Norsemen attacking from the west, the seat of power was moved to Scone, near Perth. The Stone was used at the coronations of subsequent Scottish kings until it was taken by Edward I to Westminster Abbey in 1296. The Stone was returned to Scotland on Saint Andrews' Day, 30 November 1996 and can now be seen in Edinburgh Castle.
Dunstaffnage Castle looks square and impenetrable with round towers. A MacDougall stronghold until 1309, it was seized by Robert the Bruce 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 is now in the care of Historic Scotland. Open all year: April – September 9:30 am – 6:30 pm, October – March 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. In winter, it is closed on Thursday and Friday.
You can also look around the ruined 13th-century chapel if you follow the path down the left-hand side. History recounts that the last Stewart Lord of Lorne died on the threshold whilst reciting his marriage vows. You can see the skull and cross bones symbol on the gravestones. Apparently people have been known to come across old teeth and things scattered around here.
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.
|
Home