castle castle partially ruined castle western scotland lies miles situated platform rock south west entrance surrounded sides sea castle dates 13th century making scotland oldest stone castles local group includes guarding strategic location built lords held 15th century day hereditary captain longer reside castle maintained open public 16th century gatehouse retained private property captain prefix means fort rest derives norse staff history construction castle location stronghold known early 7th century recorded stone destiny kept brought ireland moved considered likely given known connections kings records stone kept traditionally identified writer identified castle built second quarter 13th century seat lord grandson duncan unsuccessfully attacked norwegian backed brother later died attack castle norse forces travelled rome founder nearby duncan son inherited father title expanded influence king isles probable built round towers castle constructed enlarged hall inside following norse influence backed scottish monarchy son alexander supported wars scottish independence broke years later defeated clan battle pass brief siege took control castle royal fortress crown property controlled series keepers james seized castle following enemies hiding inside 9th earl douglas stayed way treat lord isles followed attack douglas power led signing treaty westminster later keeper rival stabbed supporters way marriage survived long vows took castle ousted granted 1st earl appointed captains oversee readiness behalf changes buildings particularly gatehouse rebuilt time loyal allies royal house base government expeditions isles 15th 16th centuries visited occasions saw action civil war holding army castle burned royalist troops following failure rising 9th earl catholic james vii castle occupied government troops helped escape scotland briefly imprisoned route imprisonment london decline restoration continued add castle building new house old west range rest castle decaying accidental fire castle captains ceased live moving south east burned tenants lived house castle restoration work undertaken duke castle owner followed court case ruled 20th hereditary captain right residence notwithstanding duke ownership works delayed world war planned total restoration completed 21st captain duke agreed hand castle state care remains property castle chapel category listed buildings scheduled ancient monuments description walls irregular structure great strength rounded towers angles measures approximately metres metres walls rubble sandstone stand high including bedrock platform walls thick strong defence highly strategic location guarding entrance pass today commanding splendid view walk followed walls partially restored new stone flags original gone arrow slits later converted openings brass cannon recovered wrecked vessels spanish mounted walls round towers soon construction castle walls round towers built north east west towers north tower largest comprising storeys originally probably housed lord private apartments west tower internal barely projecting rounded corner curtain wall entered walk basement level contains pit prison accessed east tower completely rebuilt late 15th century gatehouse tower probably topped conical roof gatehouse gatehouse built late 15th century replacing earlier round tower east corner takes form storey tower house entrance passage running half vaulted basement half forming guard rooms arrow slits facing gate present approach gate stone replacing earlier tower 18th century provide reception rooms private suite windows capped house bear date campbell arms initials 11th captain wife moved restoration works internal ranges east range located north east towers foundations remain principal range buildings contained large hall vaulted hall double windows decorated carved patterns later blocked outlines seen east curtain wall second range stood north west wall connected hall range tower ground floor housed kitchen range storey house accessed stone topped windows form gatehouse original large stone surround 19th century date chapel ruined 13th century chapel lies metres south west castle built private chapel features detailed stonework outstanding quality chapel metres timber roof windows carry dog tooth carving fine wide arches internally chapel burial aisle built east end serve resting place captains families captain traditionally officer called responsible castle defence office exists retain title military significance incumbent required spend nights year castle responsibilities privileges attach post castle ghost ghost known maid said castle type ghost appearances said associated events lives hereditary keepers
Dunstaffnage Castle