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Aerial view of a stone bridge, white mansion and forested hills by a loch
Argyll and Bute

Inveraray Castle

The Gothic Revival home of the Dukes of Argyll on Loch Fyne, with the tallest ceiling in Scotland over its Armoury Hall.

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Welcome

Inveraray Castle stands in parkland on the shore of Loch Fyne, a fairytale of pale stone with conical-roofed towers at its corners, and it is one of the earliest examples of Gothic Revival building in Britain.

It has been the seat of Clan Campbell and the home of the Dukes of Argyll since the 18th century, and the family still lives here.

The tour begins in the Armoury Hall, under the highest ceiling in Scotland, 21 metres up, with the family crest at the top and walls hung with muskets and axes; among them are a dirk and sporran that belonged to Rob Roy MacGregor. The State Rooms beyond have French furniture, painted ceilings and portraits of the Campbells over the centuries, and the castle doubled for Duneagle Castle in Downton Abbey. Outside are the gardens, and there is a tearoom. The castle opens from late March to October, Thursday to Monday, from 10am.

Close byCampbell CoffeeOn Main Street in Inveraray, Campbell Coffee roasts its own speciality coffee.4 min by roadSee itShelves of pink and orange bottles beside a wooden coffee shop counter
Before you go

Open 26 March to 30 September, Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm; October, Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4pm.

Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Season
26 Mar to 30 Sep, 10:00 to 17:00; Oct, 10:00 to 16:00.
Days
Thursday to Monday.
Where
Inveraray, PA32 8XE.

Opening hours

Monday
10am–5pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10am–5pm
Friday
10am–5pm
Saturday
10am–5pm
Sunday
10am–5pm
Where it is

Inveraray, on Loch Fyne.

Close byIn Inveraray.
  1. The white houses of Inveraray on their point in Loch Fyne, from above.InverarayThe Duke of Argyll's white Georgian town on Loch Fyne, rebuilt from 1745, with a church divided in two.Under a mile4 min by road
  2. The courthouse front between whitewashed houses at the top of the town.Inveraray JailInveraray's courtroom of 1820 and its two prisons, kept as they were, with the stories of the people tried and held there.Under a mile4 min by road
  3. Stone buildings of Auchindrain with hens in the yard.Auchindrain TownshipThe last Highland farming township to survive the clearances, an open-air museum six miles south of Inveraray.6 miles12 min by road
  4. Chilled counter and shelves of jars inside the Loch Fyne Deli and ShopLoch Fyne Oyster Bar9 miles15 min by road
  5. The Fyne Ales farm buildings in the glen from above.Fyne AlesA family farm brewery at the head of Loch Fyne, with a tap room, a courtyard beer garden and weekend tours.9 miles16 min by road
Directions
Shelves of pink and orange bottles beside a wooden coffee shop counterCafeCampbell Coffee0.7 miles
The Tinkers' Heart, white quartz pebbles set in a heart in the old road surface.AttractionsTinkers’ Heart3.8 miles over the water
A dark timber cabin with a pitched metal roof stands among ferns and birch trees.CairndowKabnSleeps 2 · 4.0 miles
Beinn Ìme above an old stone bridge in autumn colour.AttractionsBeinn Ime15 miles
Kilchurn Castle on its point at the head of Loch Awe, from above.AttractionsLoch Awe17 miles
Stay nearby

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

A dark timber cabin with a pitched metal roof stands among ferns and birch trees.Kabn
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Cairndow
  • 4 miles from the castle
Free 17–19 NovRed Squirrel Cabin, Argyll and ButeRed Squirrel Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 9 miles from the castle
Check datesSeal Cabin, Argyll and ButeSeal Cabin
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 9 miles from the castle
Check datesTimber cabin with copper roof beside a loch, shaded by oak treesUisge Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Oban
  • 16 miles from the castle
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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