Castles · Scottish Islands
Dunvegan Castle
Also known as: Caisteal Dhùn Bheagain
In or near Dunvegan.
Dunvegan Castle — castle in Duirinish, Highland, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Dunvegan Castle, you can use the postcode IV55 8WE for sat-nav directions. Entry is paid, and wheelchair accessibility is limited.
About
Dunvegan Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1220. Heritage designation: category A listed building. Owned by Clan MacLeod. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in Duirinish, Highland, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 57.4485°, -6.5900°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Dunvegan Castle (Caisteal Dhùn Bheagain) is located 1 mile (1.6 km) to the north of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland. It is the seat of the MacLeod of MacLeod, chief of the Clan MacLeod. Probably a fortified site from the earliest times, the castle was first built in the 13th century and developed piecemeal over the centuries. In the 19th century the whole castle was remodelled in a mock-medieval style.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
Official information
Dunvegan Castle is a historic site located on the Isle of Skye, known for its beautiful gardens and rich history. Visitors can explore the castle's interior and enjoy the scenic surroundings.
From the Wikipedia article
Dunvegan Castle (Caisteal Dhùn Bheagain) is located 1 mile (1.6 km) to the north of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland. It is the seat of the MacLeod of MacLeod, chief of the Clan MacLeod. Probably a fortified site from the earliest times, the castle was first built in the 13th century and developed piecemeal over the centuries. In the 19th century the whole castle was remodelled in a mock-medieval style. The castle is built on an elevated rock overlooking an inlet on the eastern shore of Loch Dunvegan, a sea loch.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The promontory was enclosed by a curtain wall in the 13th century, and a four-storey tower house was built in the late 14th century. This tower was similar in style to contemporary structures at Kisimul Castle and Caisteal Maol.
Architecture
Dunvegan Castle occupies the summit of a rock some 50 ft above sea level, which projects on to the eastern shore of a north-facing inlet or bay. On the eastern, landward side of the site is a partly natural ditch around 18 ft deep.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 57.4485, -6.5900
- District
- Highland
- Postcode
- IV55 8WE
- Parliamentary constituency
- Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire
- Phone
- +44 1470 521206
- Established
- 1220
- Opening
- Daily 1 April - 15 October
- Official site
- www.dunvegancastle.com
Sources
- wikidata: Q1266330 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Dunvegan Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Dunvegan Castle - entrance.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Featured in this guide
Other places nearby
Dunvegan Castle bridge
Historic bridges · 0.0 km
Seals Boat trip
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Rory More's Waterfall
Waterfalls · 0.2 km
Dunvegan Pebble
Public art & sculpture · 0.2 km
John MacLeod of MacLeod
Memorials & monuments · 0.2 km
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Dunvegan
Towns & cities · 1.1 km
Duirinish Parish Church, Skye
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Duirinish Stone
Memorials & monuments · 1.3 km
Dunvegan, Roag, Harlosh and Bay War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 1.4 km
Dun Chaich
Archaeological sites · 1.4 km
Lord Thomas Frazer Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 1.5 km
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📷 5Historic bridges · Scottish Islands
Dunvegan Castle bridge
Dunvegan Castle bridge — category A listed building-listed bridge in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Natural landmarks · Scottish Islands
Seals Boat trip
Seals Boat trip — a other in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Waterfalls · Scottish Islands
Rory More's Waterfall
Rory More's Waterfall — waterfall in scotland highlands.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Scottish Islands
Dunvegan Pebble
Dunvegan Pebble — a public art in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
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📷 3Frequently asked questions
- Where is Dunvegan Castle?
- Dunvegan Castle is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode IV55 8WE).
- What is Dunvegan Castle?
- Dunvegan Castle — castle in Duirinish, Highland, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Dunvegan Castle?
- Drivers can use postcode IV55 8WE.
- When was Dunvegan Castle built?
- Built or established in 1220.
- Who owns Dunvegan Castle?
- Dunvegan Castle is owned by Clan MacLeod.
- Is Dunvegan Castle a listed building?
- Dunvegan Castle is officially recognised as category A listed building listed.
- Does Dunvegan Castle charge admission?
- Dunvegan Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Dunvegan Castle?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode IV55 8WE. It sits within the Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire parliamentary constituency.