The castle was used as a filming location for the 1999 movie Entrapment and the 2021 film Succession.
During the 17th century, the castle was besieged by the forces of the Duke of Argyll due to clan feuds.
Sir Fitzroy Maclean bought the ruin in 1911, reportedly using the proceeds from his successful career as a surgeon.
The castle's foundation sits directly on a volcanic rock formation, providing a natural defensive perimeter.
The Sea Room contains a significant collection of maritime artifacts related to the Maclean family's naval history.
The castle was largely roofless for over 150 years until the early 20th-century restoration efforts.
Clan Maclean is one of the oldest Highland clans, with roots tracing back to the 13th century.
Duart Castle is the ancestral seat of Clan Maclean, situated on a craggy promontory overlooking the Sound of Mull. Built in the 13th century, the structure features a large curtain-walled courtyard and a 16th-century tower house. The site was abandoned in the mid-18th century and fell into ruin before Sir Fitzroy Maclean initiated a comprehensive restoration in 1911. Visitors can explore the dungeons, the Great Hall, and state rooms containing family portraits and clan memorabilia. The castle occupies a strategic defensive position at the confluence of the Sound of Mull, Loch Linnhe, and the Firth of Lorne. It remains one of the few privately owned Scottish castles still held by the clan chief. The surrounding grounds include a woodland trail and a viewpoint facing the coastline.
From the grass bank near the car park, looking up toward the castle with the sea in the background.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear as the historic stone staircases are narrow and uneven.
Bring binoculars to scan the Sound of Mull for harbor porpoises and sea eagles.
Allow extra time to walk the coastal path surrounding the castle base for views of the battlements.
Do not attempt to access roped-off sections or private areas of the tower as they may be structurally sensitive.
The castle is closed during the winter months, typically reopening in the spring through to mid-autumn.
Avoid touching the historic tapestries or furniture; keep voices low in the Great Hall.
