This residence of the Duke of Argyll comes with a dramatic, turreted exterior (one of Scotland’s most striking) and an interior that feels spacious, neatly tended, and lived in.
Historically a stronghold of one of the most notorious branches of the Campbell clan, this castle is most appealing to those with Campbell connections or fans of Downton Abbey.
During a tour you roam from room to room, reading the laminated descriptions and asking questions of the gregarious docents.
The highlight is the Armory Hall that fills the main atrium, where swords and rifles are painstakingly arrayed in starburst patterns. The rifles were actually used when the Campbells fought with the British at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
Upstairs is a room with reminders of Downton Abbey. Public-television fans may recognize this as “Duneagle Castle” (a.k.a. Uncle Shrimpy’s pad) from one of the Downton Abbey Christmas specials – big photos of the Grantham and MacClare clans decorate the genteel rooms.
As with many such castles, the aristocratic clan still lives here (private signs mark rooms where the family resides). Another upstairs room is like an Argyll family scrapbook; for example, see photos of the duke playing elephant polo – the ultimate aristocratic sport.
The kids attend school in England, but spend a few months here each year; in the winter, the castle is closed to the public and they have the run of the place.
The finely manicured gardens were a delight for me the first time I visited, and they did not disappoint this time. I was not going to let a little spot of rain keep me from showing you around a little with this video.