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Crumbling walls of the castle above Loch Linnhe.
Argyll and Bute

Castle Coeffin

The ivy-clad ruin of a 13th-century MacDougall castle on the west coast of Lismore, reached on foot from the ferry.

Welcome

Castle Coeffin is a ruined 13th-century castle on the west coast of Lismore, the long, green island in Loch Linnhe north of Oban, its spiky, ivy-clad towers rising from a rocky knoll above a small bay, with the hills of Morvern across the water.

It was built by the MacDougalls of Lorn, a powerful clan whose lands took in Lismore.

Its name is said to come from Caifen, a Danish prince, and the legend tells of his sister Beothail, who died of a broken heart when her lover was killed in Norway; her ghost haunted the castle until her bones were taken to lie beside his. There is no parking nearby, so it is a walk: two and a half miles each way from the Achnacroish ferry jetty, or three and a half from the Point, on easy paths, tracks and minor roads, and it fits comfortably into a day trip on the ferry. Please do not climb on the ruin, which is fragile; the views from around it are the best part.

A short drive awayIsle of Lismore CaféThe award-winning café at the Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre, with a deck looking out over the island, open April to October.14 min by roadSee itThe café's timber deck with tables and red parasols, looking out over green fields to the hills.
Before you go

No nearby parking.

Walk 2.5 miles each way from the Achnacroish ferry jetty, or 3.5 miles from the Point jetty. Do not climb on the ruin.

From the ferry
2.5 miles each way from Achnacroish.
Parking
None nearby.
Where it is

The west coast of Lismore, near Clachan.

Close byOn Lismore.
  1. A stained-glass window above old stonework inside the church.St Moluag’s CathedralLismore's parish church, once the cathedral of Argyll, on the spot where St Moluag founded his monastery.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Tralee BeachTralee Beach3 miles9 min by road
  3. Ben Lora Cafe & BookshopBen Lora Cafe & BookshopA family-run café and bookshop in Benderloch, north of Oban, a short walk from Tralee beach.4 miles10 min by road
  4. The heritage centre's sign and its grass-roofed building.Lismore Gaelic Heritage CentreThe island's own museum and café on Lismore, with a thatched cottar's cottage of the 19th century outside.5 miles14 min by road
  5. Connel BridgeConnel BridgeThe steel cantilever of 1903 over the Falls of Lora at the mouth of Loch Etive, built for the railway and now carrying the road.6 miles14 min by road
Directions
Slochd, Argyll and ButeArgyll and ButeSlochdSleeps 2 · 4.3 miles
The café's timber deck with tables and red parasols, looking out over green fields to the hills.CafeIsle of Lismore Café4.6 miles
Castle Stalker on its islet in still, grey water.AttractionsCastle Stalker4.7 miles over the water
Stormhouse South, Argyll and ButeArgyll and ButeStormhouse SouthSleeps 2 · 5.1 miles
Stormhouse North, Argyll and ButeArgyll and ButeStormhouse NorthSleeps 2 · 5.1 miles
Oyster Inn, Argyll and ButeRestaurantsThe Oyster Inn, Connel6.6 miles
Couple share wine at a driftwood table overlooking a yacht-filled bayCafePoppies, Saulmore8.0 miles
AttractionsDunstaffnage Castle9.3 miles
The timber-clad visitor centre and its welcome sign.AttractionsOcean Explorer Centre9.3 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

Stormhouse South, Argyll and ButeStormhouse South
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 5 miles from Castle Coeffin
Free 31 Jan – 5 FebStormhouse North, Argyll and ButeStormhouse North
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 5 miles from Castle Coeffin
Free 1–6 FebSlochd, Argyll and ButeSlochd
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 6 miles from Castle Coeffin
Check datesA stone cottage with a slate roof and chimney stands among birch and pine trees on a wooded hillside.The Old Post Office
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 6 miles from Castle Coeffin
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Argyll and ButeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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