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Dùn Ara's crag across a green field, the sea and hills beyond under a blue sky.
Isle of Mull

Dùn Ara

The ruined stronghold of the MacKinnons on a rocky crag on Mull's north coast, reached on foot from Glengorm.

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Welcome

Dùn Ara is the ruin of a castle on a rocky crag on the north coast of Mull, near Glengorm, and it is one to reach on foot.

It was a stronghold of the MacKinnons, who held the land here from 1354, and it stayed in use until the seventeenth century, when it was abandoned. It was probably built on the site of an older dun or fort: a central keep on the main outcrop of rock, with a wall round it, guarding a harbour where boats could land.

Glengorm is signposted off the B8073 just outside Tobermory. From the coffee shop car park at Glengorm Castle, a farm track runs out past the castle to Dùn Ara on its crag, with the Glengorm standing stones a short detour on the way. The climb is easy from the south-east, and the castle's foundations are clear to see.

A short drive awayThe Glass BarnThe café and farm shop of Isle of Mull Cheese above Tobermory, under a vine in a glasshouse built on the Clyde.4 min by roadSee itThe Glass Barn
Before you go

Park by the coffee shop at Glengorm Castle, signposted off the B8073 just outside Tobermory.

Dùn Ara is a walk out along the farm track past the castle. It can be visited at any reasonable time.

Getting there
CalMac ferry: Oban to Craignure (50 minutes), Lochaline to Fishnish, or Kilchoan to Tobermory.
Parking
By the Glengorm Castle coffee shop.
Walk
The farm track past the castle, to the second crag.
Open
Any reasonable time.
Where it is

Glengorm, north Mull, PA75 6QD.

Close byOn Mull's north coast.
  1. TobermoryTobermoryMull's main town, a planned fishing port of 1788 whose painted houses curve round a sheltered bay on the Sound of Mull.5 miles14 min by road
  2. The green 'Tobermory Stores' sign over the shop window, a painted mural below.Tobermory StoresAn independent grocer and delicatessen on Tobermory's Main Street, with Mull produce and food to take away.6 miles14 min by road
  3. Tobermory distilleryTobermory distilleryOne of Scotland's oldest working distilleries, founded in 1798 at the end of Tobermory's Main Street, with tours and a shop.6 miles15 min by road
  4. A man serving a customer at the hatch of the Fisherman's Pier trailer, the chalkboard menu beside it.Fisherman’s Pier Fish and ChipsA silver fish and chip trailer on Tobermory's harbour front, open every day from noon to 8pm.6 miles15 min by road
  5. The blue front of the Hebridean Whale Centre on Tobermory's Main Street.Hebridean Whale CentreThe Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's free centre on Tobermory's harbour front, with exhibitions, sightings and talks.6 miles14 min by road
Directions
Inside the Glass Barn: tables under a glass roof covered in a green vine, the fields beyond the windows.CafeThe Glass Barn1.1 miles
AttractionsLoch Torr Wildlife Hide3.5 miles over the water
Inside The Galleon: white walls, a high ceiling with a round window, tables and a staircase.RestaurantsThe Galleon5.6 miles
The blue front of Brown's on Tobermory's Main Street, a rally car parked outside.ShoppingBrown's Tobermory5.6 miles
Diners at a table by the bright windows of Café Fish, painted fish on the walls.RestaurantsCafé Fish5.6 miles
AttractionsRubha nan Gall Lighthouse5.9 miles
A tall waterfall pouring over dark rock in Aros Park, a burn tumbling through boulders below among trees.AttractionsAros Park Waterfalls6.4 miles
The pale timber building of Croft 3 on the croft, the sea and hills behind.RestaurantsCroft 318 miles
The house's gabled wing with a decked terrace and two chairs, solar panels along the roof, seen across a grassy slope.GlenborrodaleBorradill HouseSleeps 6 · 25 miles
Stay nearby

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

The house's gabled wing with a decked terrace and two chairs, solar panels along the roof, seen across a grassy slope.Borradill House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glenborrodale
  • 12 miles from Dùn Ara
Free 15–17 NovBorradill Cottage, ArdnamurchanBorradill Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In the Isle of Mull
  • 12 miles from Dùn Ara
Free 29 Nov – 1 DecPlaces to stayEvery stay on MullAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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