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Location
Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Description
Duart Castle (Caisteal Dhubhairt) is located on the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland in the area of Argyll and Bute. The castle was built in the 13th century and was the seat of the Clan MacLean. The castle stands on a crag at the end of the peninsula jutting out into the Sound of Mull. Duart was originally a rectangular wall enclosing a courtyard. In the 14th century the keep was built adjoining the outside of the original curtain wall. In the mid 17th century small vaulted cellars with a hall at first floor level were built within the courtyard on the South East side. At the same time the gateway entrance to the courtyard was strengthened by a two story gatehouse. Today the castle is open to the public. Visitors may tour the dungeons and state rooms, and up to the top of the keep.
History
Duart Castle was attacked and laid siege in 1647 by the Argyll government troops of Clan Campbell, but were defeated and driven off by the Royalist troops of Clan MacLean. In September 1653, Oliver Cromwell sent a force of six ships to capture the clan chief, but the Macleans had already fled to Tiree. Three of Cromwell's ships were lost in a storm, including HMS Swan. In 1691 Duart Castle was surrendered by the Clan MacLean to the chief of Clan Campbell, Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll. The Castle was used as a garrison for Government troops until 1751 when the castle was abandoned. It was bought by Sir Fitzroy Donald Maclean, the 26th Chief of the Clan MacLean, in 1911, and has since been restored.
The Arts
Duart Castle was used as a location in the 1999 film Entrapment, starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Other Castles in the Area
Ardtornish Castle, Highland
Barcaldine Castle, Argyll and Bute
Castle Stalker, Argyll and Bute
Dunollie Castle, Argyll and Bute
Dunstaffnage Castle, Argyll and Bute
Glenborrodale Castle, Highland
Gylen Castle, Argyll and Bute
Innis Chonnel Castle, Argyll and Bute
Kinlochaline Castle, Highland
Moy Castle, Argyll and Bute
Torosay Castle, Argyll and Bute
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