Castle Campbell
The Campbell earls' castle on a ridge high above Dollar Glen, between the Burn of Care and the Burn of Sorrow.
Castle Campbell stands alone on a narrow ridge high above Dollar Glen, with a crescent of the Ochil Hills behind it and steep ravines falling away on either side, where the Burn of Care and the Burn of Sorrow thunder below.
It was once known as the Castle of Gloom, and it became the Lowland stronghold of the Campbell earls of Argyll, a powerful Highland family who wanted a home within reach of the royal court at Stirling.
At its heart is one of the best-preserved tower houses in Scotland, built in the 1400s. Walk along the loggia, an open arcade more often found in Italy or Spain, and out onto the terraced gardens with their long view down the glen, and look for John Knox's pulpit, where the Protestant preacher is said to have given a sermon in 1556. The finest way up is on foot from Dollar, through the wooded glen; the nearest car park is 500 metres from the gate.
Open 1 April to 30 September, daily 10am to 4.30pm, closed for lunch 12.30 to 1.30pm; closed October to March.
Adults £7.50 online. Park at Brewlands, 500m away up a steep single-track road, or walk up the glen from Dollar.
- Season
- 1 Apr to 30 Sep.
- Hours
- Daily 10:00 to 16:30; lunch 12:30 to 13:30.
- Parking
- Brewlands, 500m away.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10am–12.30pm, 1.30pm–4.30pm
- Tuesday
- 10am–12.30pm, 1.30pm–4.30pm
- Wednesday
- 10am–12.30pm, 1.30pm–4.30pm
- Thursday
- 10am–12.30pm, 1.30pm–4.30pm
- Friday
- 10am–12.30pm, 1.30pm–4.30pm
- Saturday
- 10am–12.30pm, 1.30pm–4.30pm
- Sunday
- 10am–12.30pm, 1.30pm–4.30pm
Above Dollar, FK14 7PP.
The Wee Bookshop, DollarA small independent bookshop and coffee shop on Bridge Street in Dollar, strong on walking, the outdoors and Scotland.1 mile7 min by road
The Japanese Garden at CowdenA Japanese garden of 1908 near Dollar, designed by Taki Handa for Ella Christie, and restored around its loch and bridges.3 miles12 min by road
Sauchie TowerA plain, tall tower house of the 1430s built by the Schaws at Sauchie, where Mary, Queen of Scots came in 1565.6 miles17 min by road
Alloa TowerThe largest surviving keep in Scotland, the Erskines' tower at Alloa, where Mary, Queen of Scots spent part of her childhood.8 miles22 min by road
Clackmannan TowerA tall tower house of the 1300s on the King's Seat hill above Clackmannan, built by a kinsman of Robert the Bruce.9 miles19 min by road
Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.
Whitehill Farm House- Sleeps 8
- In Auchterarder
- 11 miles from Castle Campbell
Cromlix- To stay
- In Stirling
- 12 miles from Castle Campbell
The Old Farmhouse- Sleeps 8
- In Stirling
- 19 miles from Castle Campbell
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.
For further reading, before you go.