Castles & Heritage

The ancient region of Oban, Lorn & the Isles is steeped in history. Along our glorious coastline, you’ll find ruined castles and tower houses in wonderfully romantic locations.

Learn about our predecessors and adversaries – and how our built heritage shaped the west coast and our connections with the rest of the world.

Visit some of these fascinating fortifications to get closer to Scotland’s past and experience stunning scenery along the way.

OBAN MAP REVERSE

Here are six castles that should be top of your list

Dunollie Castle is superbly situated, standing guard over Oban Bay and today it remains the seat and ancestral home of Clan MacDougall.

Dunstaffnage Castle sits on an immense rock overlooking the Firth of Lorn near Oban, it was the former stronghold of the ‘Kings of the Isles’.

Gylen Castle sits on the southern part of the island of Kerrera. The ferry journey from Oban to Kerrera takes just a few minutes.

Castle Coeffin on the island of Lismore is a handsome ruin standing on a promontory on the northwest coast of the island looking out across Loch Linnhe.

Kilchurn Castle sits on the shores of Loch Awe near Oban. It’s striking location at the head of the loch with the peak of Ben Cruachan visible behind – makes it one of the most photographed castles in Scotland.

Castle Stalker, you might recognize as Castle Aaaaaaargh from Monty Python's cult classic The Holy Grail! This four-storey tower house is incredibly picturesque, set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich a few miles beyond Appin north of Oban. 

With its abundance of wonderful and fascinating medieval castles, situated in some of the most scenic, romantic locations, Oban never falls short of places to explore.

Top reasons to visit

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Dunollie Castle
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Dunstaffnage Castle
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Kilchurn Castle
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Victorian town centre
Gardens 01
Historic gardens
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Oban Distillery

Experiences

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Dunollie Museum, Castle & Grounds

Dunollie Museum Castle and Grounds is a heritage site international significance situated just 1 mile north of Oban. It is now run by a small independent cha...

Dunollie Museum Castle and Grounds
Ganavan Road
Oban
PA34 5TT

Tel: 01631 570550

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Barcaldine Castle

Our luxury bed & breakfast in the historic ‘Black Castle’ is set on the peaceful shores of Loch Creran on the West Coast of Scotland, near Oban. Barcaldi...

Benderloch
Oban
PA37 1SA

Tel: +44 (0)1631 720598

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Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel

Dunstaffnage Castle, one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland, is situated on top of an immense rock overlooking the Firth of Lorn near Oban. The former s...

Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
Castle Grounds
Dunbeg,
By Oban, Argyll
PA37 1PZ

Tel: 01631 562 465

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Kilchurn Castle

Kilchurn Castle was built in the mid-1400s, and since then has been a fortress, comfortable residence and later a garrison stronghold. It contains the oldest...

Kilchurn Castle
Lochawe
Dalmally
PA33 1AF

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