Castles · Central Scotland
Claypotts Castle
In or near Dundee.
Claypotts Castle — castle in Dundee City, Scotland, UK.

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Broughty Ferry · 1.4 km
- Family-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Claypotts Castle, the nearest railway station is Broughty Ferry, located 1.4 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is DD5 3JY. Please note that the site is not wheelchair accessible.
About
Claypotts Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in Dundee City, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 56.4764°, -2.8900°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Claypotts Castle is a late medieval castle in the suburban West Ferry area of Dundee, Scotland. It is one of the best-preserved examples of a 16th-century Z-plan tower house in Scotland. Now surrounded by modern housing, the castle is maintained as an Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
From Historic Environment Scotland
Admire one of Scotland’s quirkiest castles, barely altered and retaining many of its original 1500s features.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Claypotts Castle is a late medieval castle in the suburban West Ferry area of Dundee, Scotland. It is one of the best-preserved examples of a 16th-century Z-plan tower house in Scotland. Now surrounded by modern housing, the castle is maintained as an Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The castle was originally built by John Strachan around 1569–1588 according to dates inscribed on stones that make up parts of the castle, which make its construction longer than usual for such a small building. The land on which the castle was built was originally leased by the Strachan family from the Tironensian Abbey of Lindores starting in the early 16th century. In 1601 the Strachan family sold the castle to Sir William Graham of Ballunie who later sold it to Sir William Graham of Claverhouse. The castle became the property of the crown in 1689 after the death of the then current owner Viscount Dundee John Graham of Claverhouse at the battle of Killiecrankie. In 1694 the castle was…
Architecture
The castle consists of projecting towers at opposite sides of a rectangular main block, known as a Z-plan tower house. This was a popular design in the 16th century and allowed defenders to fire along the faces of the main block from both towers, although it is unlikely that the castle would have had much of a defensive role given its domestic scale.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 56.4764, -2.8900
- District
- Dundee City
- Postcode
- DD5 3JY
- Parliamentary constituency
- Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
- Nearest railway station
- Broughty Ferry — 1.4 km
- Opening
- "by arrangement"
- Official site
- www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q1812387 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Claypotts Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Claypotts castle 01.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Railway Roadbridge, Douglas Terrace, West Ferry, Dundee
Historic bridges · 0.8 km

St Luke's Church, Broughty Ferry
Historic churches · 0.9 km

Grassy Beach
Beaches · 0.9 km

Broughty Ferry Mosque
Historic churches · 1.0 km

St Stephen's Church, 96 Dundee Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Historic churches · 1.1 km

Linlathen West Bridge
Historic bridges · 1.1 km

Congregational Church And Church Hall, 87 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Historic churches · 1.2 km

Feathers
Public art & sculpture · 1.2 km

St Mary's Episcopal Church, 164 Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Historic churches · 1.2 km

Forthill, Dundee
Stadiums · 1.2 km

New Grand Cinema
Theatres · 1.2 km

Queen Street Church, Camphill Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Historic churches · 1.3 km
Nearby
Historic bridges · Central Scotland
Railway Roadbridge, Douglas Terrace, West Ferry, Dundee
Railway Roadbridge, Douglas Terrace, West Ferry, Dundee — category B listed building-listed bridge in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Historic churches · Central Scotland
St Luke's Church, Broughty Ferry
St Luke's Church, Broughty Ferry — church in Dundee, Scotland, UK.
Historic churches · Central Scotland
Broughty Ferry Mosque
Broughty Ferry Mosque — a church in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
Historic churches · Central Scotland
St Stephen's Church, 96 Dundee Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
St Stephen's Church, 96 Dundee Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee — category A listed building-listed church in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
Historic bridges · Central Scotland
Linlathen West Bridge
Linlathen West Bridge — category A listed building-listed bridge in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Claypotts Castle
Places to stay
📷 7Caravan parks · Central Scotland
Tayport Links Caravan Park
Tayport Links Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland central.
Campsites · Central Scotland
Larick Campsite
Larick Campsite — a campsite in scotland central.
Caravan parks · Central Scotland
TayView Caravan & Camping Park
TayView Caravan & Camping Park — a caravan park in scotland central.
📷 5Caravan parks · Central Scotland
Riverview Caravan Park
Riverview Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland central.
Hotels · Central Scotland
Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort — a hotel in scotland highlands.
Places to eat & drink
Historic pubs · Central Scotland
The Eagle Inn, 157-159 King Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
The Eagle Inn, 157-159 King Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
Historic pubs · Central Scotland
'The Clep' Public House, 96-98 Clepington Road, Dundee
'The Clep' Public House, 96-98 Clepington Road, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Office of J & D Grimmond, 1-3 King Street, Dundee
Office of J & D Grimmond, 1-3 King Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Calcutta Buildings, 16, 18 Commercial Street, Dundee
Calcutta Buildings, 16, 18 Commercial Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
Historic pubs · Central Scotland
51 Commercial Street, Dundee
51 Commercial Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
Historic pubs · Central Scotland
The Stance and Drum Public House, 16 Dock Street, Dundee
The Stance and Drum Public House, 16 Dock Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
More castles in this region
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Claypotts Castle?
- Claypotts Castle is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode DD5 3JY).
- What is Claypotts Castle?
- Claypotts Castle — castle in Dundee City, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Claypotts Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Broughty Ferry, about 1.4 km away. Drivers can use postcode DD5 3JY.
- Is Claypotts Castle a listed building?
- Claypotts Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Claypotts Castle charge admission?
- Claypotts Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Claypotts Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Broughty Ferry, about 1.4 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode DD5 3JY.