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The castle buildings and walls below the rock.
Loch Lomond

Dumbarton Castle

The fortress on the volcanic rock above the Clyde, besieged by Vikings in 870 and a refuge for Mary Queen of Scots.

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Welcome

Dumbarton Castle clings to a great twin-peaked volcanic rock rising straight out of the Clyde at the mouth of the River Leven, and there has been a stronghold here for longer than almost anywhere in Scotland.

In 870 Olaf and Ivar of Dublin laid siege to the rock for four months and sailed away with slaves and treasure in two hundred longships. Alexander II built a castle here around 1220 against the Norwegians.

It changed hands in the wars with England, taken by the English in 1296 and won back after Stirling Bridge, and it was a refuge for two young monarchs before they escaped to France: David II in 1333 and Mary Queen of Scots in 1548. In 1571 Captain Thomas Crawford led a daring night raid up the rock to take it. Today the climb is the thing: a site that is large, steep and rocky, with long flights of old steps up to the summits and views down the Clyde. It opens daily from April to September.

A short drive awayLoch Lomond Bird of Prey CentreEagles, falcons, hawks and owls in the woods by Loch Lomond Shores in Balloch, with daily flying displays.12 min by roadSee itA golden eagle on its perch, looking out over its shoulder.
Before you go

Open daily 9.30am to 5pm from April to September; from October to March, Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 4pm.

Last entry 45 minutes before closing. Adults £7.50 online. The site is large, steep and rocky, with many steps.

Summer
1 Apr to 30 Sep, daily 09:30 to 17:00.
Winter
Sat to Wed 10:00 to 16:00.
Entry
Adults £7.50 online.

Opening hours

Monday
9.30am–5pm
Tuesday
9.30am–5pm
Wednesday
9.30am–5pm
Thursday
9.30am–5pm
Friday
9.30am–5pm
Saturday
9.30am–5pm
Sunday
9.30am–5pm
Where it is

Dumbarton, on the Clyde.

Close byIn Dumbarton.
  1. A shark gliding over the walk-through tunnel.SEA LIFE Loch LomondThe aquarium at Loch Lomond Shores, with otters, a tunnel under the sharks and a tower looking over the loch.7 miles11 min by road
  2. Loch Lomond at dusk from Balloch, the hills reflected in still water.BallochThe village at the south end of Loch Lomond where the River Leven leaves the loch, with its pier, boats and railway.7 miles11 min by road
  3. The drive through the park to Balloch Castle, the loch glimpsed beyond.Balloch Castle Country ParkThe only country park in the national park, 200 acres of woods, lawns and gardens round a Gothic house above Loch Lomond.8 miles16 min by road
  4. People on the grass above the seafront, looking over the Firth of Clyde.HelensburghA planned Georgian resort on the Firth of Clyde, home of the Comet, John Logie Baird and Mackintosh's Hill House.9 miles20 min by road
  5. MacGregor & MacDuffMacGregor & MacDuffMaster kiltmakers on Dumbarton Road for twenty years, measuring and fitting highland dress from more than four thousand tartans.9 miles18 min by road
Directions
A golden eagle on its perch, looking out over its shoulder.AttractionsLoch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre6.5 miles
The bar with a mirrored back and a round logo on the wall.RestaurantsVivi & Co9.9 miles
The No.40 sign with its little bear over the door.ShoppingNo.40 by Bruin10 miles
Glass lampshades and pendant lights hanging from the warehouse roof.ShoppingGlasgow Architectural Salvage11 miles
Inchmurrin's wooded shore on Loch Lomond, the hills beyond.AttractionsThe Island of Inchmurrin11 miles
Buachaille Etive Mòr rises above a rocky riverbed in Glen CoeWalksWest Highland Way with Thistle Trekking11 miles
Exposed bedrock and quarry pits preserved inside a roofed exhibition hallAttractionsFossil Grove11 miles
Wooden choir stalls line the aisle towards a stained glass windowAttractionsPaisley Abbey13 miles
A dark river winds between moss-covered rock overhangs in a wooded gorge, bare branches reaching across from either side.AttractionsFinnich Glen16 miles
Stay nearby

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

A grey sofa with cushions sits before a black and white kitchen, a framed print on the wall to the left.Moment Blythswood Street
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Loch Lomond
  • 13 miles from the castle
Check datesA grey corner sofa with cushions and a sheepskin throw sits before a shelf of books and a round mirror, a wood burning stove and log store to the right.Talli House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Dunlop
  • 14 miles from the castle
Free 30 Oct – 1 NovA white harled house with crow-stepped gables catches the sunset glow above a loch, yellow flowering shrubs in the foreground.Glenstriven House
  • To stay
  • In Loch Lomond
  • 20 miles from the castle
Free 25–27 OctRed Squirrel Cabin, Argyll and ButeRed Squirrel Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Loch Lomond
  • 20 miles from the castle
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Loch LomondAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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