Did you know
Ordered to live here in 1617.
In 1617 the Privy Council required Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat to make Duntulm his seat, and to build or rebuild if the old buildings would not do. The family's ancient seat had been Dunscaith.
Isle of Skye
Duntulm Castle
A 15th-century castle ruin on a headland at Duntulm in Trotternish, the later seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat.
Welcome
Duntulm Castle stands on a headland at Duntulm, in Trotternish on the north of Skye.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
The main block dates from the 15th century and a small tower was added in the 17th, all built of local basalt rubble. The site is 50 feet above the sea, with cliffs falling steeply on three sides and a dry ditch, 10 to 15 feet deep in places, cut through rock and earth on the landward side.
The earliest record of the castle is from 1549. In 1617 the Privy Council required Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat to make it his seat, and in or about 1732 the family left for Monkstadt House, whose rebuilding used material from the castle. Much of the ruin has fallen, and the Highland Historic Environment Record describes it as in poor condition, so keep well back from the walls and the cliff edges.
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The wallsThe castle
The main block dates from the 15th century; a small tower was added in the 17th. Everything is built of the local basalt rubble, much of it worn by the weather.
The cliffsThe headland
The castle stands 50 feet above the sea, with cliffs falling steeply on three sides. On the fourth, a dry ditch was cut through rock and earth, in places 10 to 15 feet deep.
Duntulm Castle on its headland, the sea below on three sides.Press a mark to look closer.
Before you go
The Highland Historic Environment Record describes the castle as in poor condition, with much of it fallen.
Keep off the walls and well back from the cliff edges.
- Where
- On a headland at Duntulm, in Trotternish on Skye; grid reference NG 4098 7434.
- Status
- A scheduled monument (number 5307).
- Care
- Much of the building has fallen, and the cliffs drop steeply to the sea on three sides.
- Access
- Works in 2026 included a new access gate and the cleaning of the steps down to the vault beneath the main tower.
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Add your reviewDid you know
Did you know
Stone for a new house.
In about 1732 the Macdonalds left Duntulm for Monkstadt House, and the castle supplied material for the rebuilding of the house.
Did you know
First written down in 1549.
The earliest record of the castle is Munro's in 1549, which names it the castell of Donntwyline, belonging to Donald Gromsone.
Did you know
A fort before the castle, maybe.
Tradition says an older fort, Dun David, stood here first. When the Ordnance Survey looked in 1961 they found no trace of it.
Ben Lerwill
From our guide to Skye
This decaying clifftop stronghold is as atmospheric as they come. First fortified in the Iron Age, it subsequently passed hands between different movers and shakers, with the MacDonalds of Sleat among its later long-term residents. It’s said to be haunted.
Read moreWhat is on
What is new across Skye, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on on SkyeWhere it is
On a headland at Duntulm, in Trotternish in the north of Skye.
Close byThe places nearest the castle, by road.
Rubha HunishThe northern tip of Skye, reached down a break in the cliffs, with an old coastguard lookout standing above it and whales passing in late summer.1 mile 3 min by road
Skye Museum of Island LifeEight thatched cottages at Kilmuir in Trotternish, showing how most islanders lived a century and more ago.2 miles 3 min by road
The Grave of Flora MacDonaldThe old graveyard at Kilmuir in Trotternish, where Flora MacDonald was buried in 1790 under a tall Celtic cross.2 miles 3 min by road
Loch LangaigA small loch by the A855 at Flodigarry, where a quiet path leaves the road for the Quiraing.5 miles 6 min by road
The QuiraingBritain's largest landslide, a jumble of rock towers and cliffs at the northern end of the Trotternish ridge on Skye.6 miles 9 min by road
Dinosaur Prints at Staffin & DuntulmDinosaur footprints in the tidal rocks at An Corran and Duntulm, and the museum in Staffin that keeps the finds.8 miles 11 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.
Monkstadt 1745- To stay
- In Linicro
- 5 miles from Duntulm
The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse- Sleeps 1
- In Uig
- 7 miles from Duntulm
Half of One- Sleeps 8
- In Culnacnoc
- 10 miles from Duntulm
Skeabost House Hotel- A hotel
- In Skeabost Bridge
- 16 miles from Duntulm
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Read on
What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more on Skye.
Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
- Duntulm CastleThe full description and the history, from 1549 to its abandonment.her.highland.gov.ukHighland Historic Environment Record↗
- Skye, Duntulm CastleThe national record of the castle.canmore.org.ukHistoric Environment Scotland↗
- Duntulm Castle, scheduled monumentThe scheduling record: what the protected area covers and why the castle matters.portal.historicenvironment.scotHistoric Environment Scotland↗
- The Museum of the IslesThe story of Clan Donald, told at Armadale.armadalecastle.comOfficial↗