Duart Castle

Duart sits on a sea-cliff at the eastern tip of Mull, looking south across the Sound of Mull to the mainland and east to Loch Linnhe. The position is unmissable from the Oban ferry: a square keep on a low headland, rising from the rock as you come in to Craignure. The castle has been the seat of Clan Maclean since the 13th century, when the Macleans came into possession of the lands through marriage with the MacDougalls of Lorn.

The keep was raised in the 14th century and successive ranges added through the 16th and 17th, with the castle held by the Macleans until 1691 when it was forfeited following the Jacobite risings. It stood roofless and abandoned for two centuries. The restoration is the second half of the story: Sir Fitzroy Donald Maclean, 26th chief of the clan, bought the ruin back in 1911 and began the rebuilding work that returned the castle to use. The current chief, Sir Lachlan Maclean, lives in part of the castle today; the rest is open to the public.

The visitor route runs through the keep with its great hall, the dungeons, the family rooms restored to early-20th-century form, and a small museum of clan history. The grounds run down to the cliff edge with views across the Sound; the tea room is in a converted outbuilding above the courtyard.

The Tea Room

We pride ourselves on serving Isle of Mull produce - locally sourced or grown in our walled garden and polytunnel. We offer a lunch menu and delicious home baking

Weddings

Duart Castle opens its ancient doors to a small number of exclusive weddings throughout the year. Say “I Do” in a unique Scottish Castle steeped in history, with stunning grounds and spectacular sea views.

Open daily through the season (typically April to October). Current hours and admission at the Duart Castle website.