Duart Castle – the Macleans' Keep and Lunch in the Tearoom
A few hours.
The route
Duart Castle has stood on its rock at the mouth of the Sound of Mull since the 13th century, and it is the seat of the Clan Maclean, whose chief bought it back as a ruin in 1911 and restored it.
Climb from the dungeons to the battlements for the view over the Sound, then have lunch in the castle's tearoom, where some cakes follow Lady Maclean's own recipes.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Fern Cottage in Croggan, 6 miles away. Sleeps 4.
The day
Duart
A morning in the keep and on the battlements of the castle on its point, then lunch in the tearoom.
About three and a half hours
Duart Castle
An attraction
Duart Castle is down its own road off the Fionnphort road, a few miles south-east of Craignure. Park in the free car park by the tearoom. The castle opens every day from 1 April to late October, from 10.30am to 4pm in April and October and until 5pm from May to September. Adults pay £13 and children £6 at the time of writing. There are twelve steps up into the courtyard and narrow spiral stairs to every floor, then the open roof walk, so it's not for wheelchairs beyond the ground floor. Dogs on a lead may walk the grounds but can't come inside.
Duart Castle Tearoom
Lunch
Lunch is in the castle's tearoom, in the old farm buildings by the car park, and you don't need a castle ticket to eat there. It serves lunch from 12 to 2.30pm, with soup, home baking and scones all day, and some cakes are still made to Lady Maclean's recipes. It's licensed, and the door is level from the car park. Dogs aren't allowed inside. If it's full, the Glenforsa Café, beside the Sound of Mull road just south of Salen, serves brunch and lunch Tuesday to Sunday until 4pm.
If it rains
The castle's rooms and the tearoom are under a roof; only the battlements and the walk from the car park are out in the weather.
Where to stay