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The Great Britain Guide

Castles · Central Scotland

Dumbarton Castle

Also known as: Castell Dumbarton, Caisteal Dhùn Bhreatainn

In or near Langbank.

Historic Environment ScotlandPaid admission♿ Wheelchair: limited4.5 · 2,111 Google reviews

Dumbarton Castle — castle in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK.

Dumbarton Castle, castles in Central Scotland

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
Dumbarton East · 0.9 km
  • Paid entry
  • Family-friendly
  • Limited wheelchair access

Getting there & planning your visit

To visit Dumbarton Castle, the nearest railway station is Dumbarton East, located 0.9 km away. Entry is paid, and wheelchair accessibility is limited. The postcode for sat-nav is G82 1JJ.

Directions on Google Maps →

Visit on historicenvironment.scot

About

Dumbarton Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Heritage designation: part of a Scheduled Monument. Owned by Historic Environment Scotland. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 55.9360°, -4.5628°.

Photo gallery

Heritage listing

Dumbarton Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Breatainn, pronounced [t̪unˈpɾʲɛʰt̪ɪɲ]; Welsh: Alt Clut) has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Scotland. It sits on a volcanic plug of basalt known as Dumbarton Rock which is 240 feet (73 m) high and overlooks the Scottish town of Dumbarton.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.

From Historic Environment Scotland

Read brief details of the history of Dumbarton Castle, a stronghold that stood at the heart of an ancient kingdom covering the area now known as Strathclyde. Contact us today for more information.

Read more on the official property page.

From the Wikipedia article

Dumbarton Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Breatainn, pronounced [t̪unˈpɾʲɛʰt̪ɪɲ]; Welsh: Alt Clut) has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Scotland. It sits on a volcanic plug of basalt known as Dumbarton Rock which is 240 feet (73 m) high and overlooks the Scottish town of Dumbarton.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

Dumbarton Rock was formed between 330 and 340 million years ago, during the Early Carboniferous period, a time of widespread volcanic activity in the area where Glasgow is now situated; over time, the softer exterior of the volcano weathered away, leaving behind a volcanic plug of basalt.

Visiting

In 1803 Dorothy and William Wordsworth visited the castle and were told that a ruin on the top of the highest eminence had been a windmill and were shown a trout, boxed up in a well close by to the guard room, that had been there for thirty years. The castle features in the 1810 historical novel The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter.

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
55.9360, -4.5628
Postcode
G82 1JJ
Parliamentary constituency
West Dunbartonshire
Phone
+44 131 6688800
Nearest railway station
Dumbarton East0.9 km

Sources

Other places nearby

Nearby

Memorial Plaque, Dumbarton Castle - geograph.org.uk - 2724190📷 5

Castles · Central Scotland

Dunbarton Castle

Dunbarton Castle — a castle in scotland highlands.

Dumbarton Castle - geograph.org.uk - 2724158📷 3

Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland

9th Battalion (The Dunbartonshire) Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders WW1 Memorial

9th Battalion (The Dunbartonshire) Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders WW1 Memorial — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶historic-scotland.gov.uk
Dumbarton Castle - geograph.org.uk - 2724158📷 3

Natural landmarks · Central Scotland

Spur Battery

Spur Battery — a other in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶historic-scotland.gov.uk
OS 1GL Bolt - Dumbarton, Castle - geograph.org.uk - 6093323📷 3

Natural landmarks · Central Scotland

King George's Battery

King George's Battery — a other in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶historic-scotland.gov.uk
Portcullis Arch, Dumbarton Rock - geograph.org.uk - 2724634📷 3

Natural landmarks · Central Scotland

Portcullies Arch

Portcullies Arch — a other in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶historic-scotland.gov.uk
Portcullis Arch, Dumbarton Rock - geograph.org.uk - 2724634📷 5

Mountains & hills · Central Scotland

Dumbarton Rock

Dumbarton Rock — a hill or mountain in scotland highlands.

🐕

Where to eat & stay near Dumbarton Castle

Places to stay

Gleddoch House Hotel - geograph.org.uk - 5671941📷 5

Hotels · Central Scotland

Gleddoch House Hotel and Golf Club

Gleddoch House Hotel and Golf Club — a hotel in scotland highlands.

Road at Erskine Veterans Village - geograph.org.uk - 8279046📷 5

Hotels · Central Scotland

Mar Hall Hotel

Mar Hall Hotel — a hotel in scotland central.

marhall.com
Navigational Marker - geograph.org.uk - 3024327📷 5

Hotels · Central Scotland

Erskine Bridge Hotel

Erskine Bridge Hotel — a hotel in scotland central.

theerskinebridgehotel.co.uk
Lower Stoneymollan Road - geograph.org.uk - 5969208📷 5

Caravan parks · Central Scotland

Lomond Woods Holiday Park

Lomond Woods Holiday Park — a caravan park in scotland highlands.

St Kessog's Church Hall - geograph.org.uk - 3464250📷 5

Hostels · Central Scotland

Time out

Time out — a hostel in scotland highlands.

Freetimeout-bb.co.uk
Seaplane, Loch Lomond - geograph.org.uk - 6475965📷 5

Hotels · Central Scotland

Cameron House on Loch Lomond

Cameron House on Loch Lomond — a hotel in scotland highlands.

Places to eat & drink

Building being demolished, Renton - geograph.org.uk - 4732180📷 5

Historic pubs · Central Scotland

Central Bar, 127 Main Street, Renton

Central Bar, 127 Main Street, Renton in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

Building being demolished, Renton - geograph.org.uk - 4732180📷 7

Historic pubs · Central Scotland

Sullivan's Bar

Sullivan's Bar in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

Fox ^ Hounds, South Street, Houston - geograph.org.uk - 4080556📷 5

Historic pubs · Central Scotland

Fox and Hounds Inn, South Street, Houston

Fox and Hounds Inn, South Street, Houston in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

10 The Cross - geograph.org.uk - 7565525📷 5

Historic pubs · Central Scotland

10 The Cross, Kilbarchan

10 The Cross, Kilbarchan in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

Post Office War Memorial - geograph.org.uk - 7353070📷 5

Historic pubs · Central Scotland

The James Watt

The James Watt in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

jdwetherspoon.com
Town Hall Clock, Renfrew - geograph.org.uk - 5269512📷 7

Historic pubs · Central Scotland

Wheatsheaf Public House, 1-3 Canal Street, Renfrew

Wheatsheaf Public House, 1-3 Canal Street, Renfrew in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

More places run by Historic Environment Scotland

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Caerlaverock Castle

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Castles · North West England

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Castles · Scottish Highlands

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Museums · Scottish Highlands

Duff House

Duff House — estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

👶duffhouse.org.uk

More castles in this region

Looking in the direction of Duns Common in the Scottish Borders - geograph.org.uk - 6284202📷 3

Castles · Central Scotland

Borthwick Castle

Borthwick Castle in England North East, United Kingdom.

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Farm buildings at Lamberton - geograph.org.uk - 635685📷 2

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Road from Cranshaws Castle to the main road - geograph.org.uk - 6566101📷 4

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Castles · Central Scotland

Achallader Castle

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Dumbarton Castle?
Dumbarton Castle is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode G82 1JJ).
What is Dumbarton Castle?
Dumbarton Castle — castle in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK.
How do I get to Dumbarton Castle?
The nearest railway station is Dumbarton East, about 0.9 km away. Drivers can use postcode G82 1JJ.
Who runs Dumbarton Castle?
Dumbarton Castle is operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
Is Dumbarton Castle a listed building?
Dumbarton Castle is officially recognised as part of a Scheduled Monument listed.
Does Dumbarton Castle charge admission?
Dumbarton Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
How do I get to Dumbarton Castle?
The nearest railway station is Dumbarton East, about 0.9 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode G82 1JJ.