Dunollie Castle
looking up the hill from the roadside, to the main tower
Ownership
The Dalriada tribes had a fortress here in the late 7th century, and Donollie was noted as being destroyed in 698 by Irish raiders. It may have been rebuilt.
The MacDougalls built the first stone castle in the 13th century. The family was a direct descendent of Somerled, and was a powerful scottish family during that time - being opponents of Robert the Bruce.
The Castle was attacked many times during the 17th century, first by the Argyll in 1644 and then by the covenanter army in 1647, when it was sacked and burned, and again in 1715. The lands were forfeit by the MadDougalls during the Jacobite uprisings, but were restored to the family in 1745.
The castle was abandoned for a newer manor house nearby in 1746. The family retained ownership of the castle., It si not being maintained, and is considered a dangerous ruin.
a small celtic-style cross tucked in the corner of the courtyard
foundation stones and arches, entirely ivy-covered, in the courtyard