Dunvegan Castle, A timeless stronghold amidst serene lochs and lush gardens
MacLeod Estate, Dunvegan House, Dunvegan, IV55 8WF
4.3
Introduction
Dunvegan Castle is situated on the Isle of Skye on the west coast of Scotland and has been the ancestral home of the MacLeod clan for generations. It is one of the oldest inhabited castles in Scotland and has been the center of the MacLeod clan for almost 800 years. Although originally designed for defense, the castle has been open to visitors since 1933 and has consistently been rated as one of Scotland's top tourist attractions. In addition to supporting the local economy in northwest Skye, the castle also has a rich family heritage, with the most important being the Fairy Flag and the Dunvegan Cup.
The Fairy Flag is one of the clan's most treasured possessions and the castle's most famous item. This silk fabric originates from the Middle East, dyed yellow, and experts have dated it back to between the 4th and 7th centuries AD, at least 400 years before the first Crusade. Nowadays, visitors can tour the castle and grounds, take a boat trip to see seals on Loch Dunvegan, or go fishing. Additionally, the estate's cottages offer accommodation services and visitors can shop in the four shops. In the area, visitors can also engage in various activities such as hiking, shopping, and sightseeing.
In addition to regular tourists, Dunvegan Castle also attracts a number of dignitaries, such as Sir Walter Scott, Dr. Johnson, Queen Elizabeth II, and Emperor Akihito of Japan. Address MacLeod Estate, Dunvegan House, Dunvegan, IV55 8WF
Opening hours From April to mid-October, we are open from 10:00 to 17:30. From mid-October to March of the following year, we only receive bookings for team tours on working days.
Transportation Take Bus 56 from Portree for one hour to Dunvegan and get off at Castle stop; or drive west on A87 from Portree for 10 minutes and then continue on A850 for one hour to reach Dunvegan.
A garden more lovely than a castle
