A cone-shaped hill in Dunoon holds the scant remains of a castle that was once a royal residence. Dunoon Castle is a ruined medieval castle, now reduced to little visible structure beside Castle House.
The castle’s history includes Balliol conflict, Campbell keepership, Mary Queen of Scots’s visit and later military use during the world wars. Its surviving mound and surrounding area are protected as a scheduled monument.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Dunoon Castle is first recorded in the 13th century. It may have been built as Stewart authority increased in Cowal.
In 1333 Edward Balliol besieged and took Dunoon Castle, then surrendered it to Edward III of England. Robert the Steward, later Robert II, retook the castle with help from Colin Campbell of Lochow.
By the 15th century Dunoon was a royal castle with the Campbells as hereditary keepers. James III undertook to repay Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll, for castle repairs in 1468 and made him keeper in 1472.
Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, took Dunoon and Rothesay in 1544 with English support. Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Dunoon Castle from 27 to 29 July 1563.
The Dunoon massacre of 1646 saw Campbells slaughter members of Clan Lamont. After the restoration of episcopacy under Charles II, Dunoon served for a time as a residence of the bishops of Argyll.
Military fortifications were established at Dunoon Castle during both world wars.
People
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Edward Balliol
Besieged and took Dunoon Castle in 1333.
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Robert the Steward
Retook the castle with Campbell support and later became Robert II.
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Colin Campbell of Lochow
Helped Robert the Steward retake the castle.
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Mary Queen of Scots
Stayed at the castle from 27 to 29 July 1563.
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Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox
Captured Dunoon Castle in 1544 with English backing.
Connections
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Dunoon
Town around the castle hill.
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Castle House
Built in 1822 a few yards north of the castle ruins.
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Clan Lamont
Victims of the 1646 Dunoon massacre.
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Cowal
Regional setting of the castle's Stewart and Campbell history.
What to look for
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Castle hill
The castle sat on a cone-shaped hill.
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Sparse remains
Very little of the castle structure survives today.
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Castle House setting
The 19th-century Castle House stands close to the ruins.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 55.9456°N · 4.9239°W
- Terrain
- Moderate walking
Opening & admission
Check locally before travelling
- Very little castle structure survives on the hill.
- The source names a VisitScotland page but gives no opening details.
Nearby places
Questions people ask
- What survives of Dunoon Castle?
- Very little structural fabric remains, but the castle hill and surrounding area are scheduled.
- Was Dunoon Castle royal?
- Yes. It was a royal residence in the 14th century and a royal castle with Campbell keepers by the 15th century.
- Did Mary Queen of Scots visit?
- Yes. She stayed at Dunoon Castle from 27 to 29 July 1563.
- What happened in 1646?
- The Dunoon massacre occurred, in which Campbells slaughtered men, women, children and infants of Clan Lamont.
Sources
Explore more: Building or ruins · Medieval · Argyll and Bute
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