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.
Six Castles near Oban to Visit:
- 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.
KILCHURN CASTLE
Kilchurn castle is a must visit destination whilst in Argyll. It is a 15th century castle (now ruins) that is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland.
DUNSTAFFNAGE CASTLE
A visit to Oban is not complete without popping to visit Dunstaffnage Castle. The castle is one of the oldest dating back to before 1240 and was the base for the MacDougall clan
DUNOLLIE CASTLE & MUSEUM
Dunollie Castle and the Dogstone are a fantastic way to spend a day in Oban.
ST CONAN'S KIRK
St Conan’s Kirk is a must visit when in Argyll as it has natural beauty looking out onto Loch Awe, character, an interesting history of the Kirk itself and an active local community within the church today.
BONAWE IRON FURNACE
Bonawe Historic Iron Furnaceit an unusual heritage site in a beautiful natural setting near the charming village of Taynuilt.
Historic Experiences
Near Oban
Barcaldine Castle
Barcaldine Castle is set on the peaceful shores of Loch Creran on the West Coast of Scotland, 9 miles north of Oban.
During the summer season, it operates as...
Benderloch
Oban
PA37 1SA
Tel: +44 (0)1631 720598
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
St Conans Kirk
St Conan's Kirk is a beautiful and fascinating church in Argyll, in Loch Awe, near Oban. It was designed and built by Walter Campbell to save his mother from...
St Conan’s Kirk
Lochawe
Dalmally
PA33 1AQ
Tel: 00
Gylen Castle, Kerrera
Gylen Castle is a key place to visit when you go to the island of Kerrera. It also marks a nice, convenient halfway point on the South end of the island to w...
Gylen Castle
Kerrera
Oban
PA34 4SX
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
Dunollie Museum, Castle & Grounds
Dunollie Museum Castle and Grounds is a heritage site of international significance situated just 1 mile north of Oban. It is now run by a small independent...
Dunollie Museum Castle and Grounds
Ganavan Road
Oban
PA34 5TT
Tel: 01631 570550
Be inspired by our blogs below
6 Beautiful Castles near Oban, Lorn & Isles
Here are six castles in Oban and Lorn that should be top of your list. Visit to see some of Argyll’s most stunning scenery and get closer to Scotland’s past.
10 things to do in and around Loch Awe
Loch Awe is Scotland’s longest freshwater loch, stretching 25 miles through glorious Highland landscape. Here are ten of top things to see and do when visiting.
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