|
| |
|
-

-

- |
|

|
|

DOLLAR GLEN, CENTRAL SCOTLAND
Central Scotlands Castle
Campbell is not especially large, never saw a major battle, was not a royal residence,
claims no international fame, and suffered an ignominious history. Although it lacks guns
and armor, Campbell is an impressive fortress castle. Although it lacks opulent
furnishings and a fairy tale history, Campbell is as romantic a castle as we know. Most
impressively, over the years more Home at First guests have named Castle Campbell their
favorite castle experience than any other castle.
Castle Campbell is located in that
most strategic territory where the Scottish Highlands become the |

CASTLE CAMPBELL
aka CASTLE GLOOM
photo © Home At First |
|
Scottish Lowlands, close to the sea and the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. This
region has been of critical military importance during the long years of struggle for
Scottish independence from England. The current castle was rebuilt starting in the late
14th or early 15th century on the site of an early motte and bailey fortress. No
wonderthe site is ideal for defense, a mound protected by steep hills on three sides
with access only from the south via the deep gorges carved by two rushing streams, the
Burn of Care and the Burn of Sorrow. The castle, originally called Castle Gloom but
renamed Castle Campbell in 1489, overlooks the village of Dollar and the broad Lowlands
south to the Firth of Forth and Edinburgh. These sweeping views are dramatic from the
castles colorful gardens, and even more dramatic from its tower. |
|

THE VIEW FROM THE TOWER
AT CASTLE CAMPBELL
photo © Home at First |
Castle Campbell has a rich and varied history. Originally Stewart (the royal family of
Scotland) land, the Dollar Glen became the property of the Campbells of Inverary. The
castle was the seat of Campbell power in the Scottish Lowlands as the home of the Dukes of
Argyll. Campbell Castle became involved in the struggles of the Scottish
Reformationboth John Knox, founder of Presbyterianism, and the devout Catholic Mary
Queen of Scots overnighted at the castlein the 16th century and the English Civil
War in the 17th century. Following the Civil War the English army occupied the castle
briefly, until it was attacked and burned by Cromwellian supporters of the owner and made
derelict in |
|
1654. It
has been only partially restored in the last 350 years.
Today, Castle Campbell remains large enough to be full of interesting roomsthe 15th
century tower has 4 floors worth exploringbut small enough to be thoroughly visited
in one hour. As popular with visitors as the castle itself are the walks in its gardens
and along the cascading streams in the two forested gorges below the castle.
Castle Campbell within easy day-trip range of Home At Firsts cottages in
Central Scotland (60-90 minutes to the northwest), or to Home
At
Firsts apartments in
Edinburgh (45 minutes southeast). |
| |
|
 |
| |
|
The castle is just north of the village of Dollar, which is 12 miles east of Stirling
(see
Stirling Castle) on
the A91. Watch carefully as you enter Dollar for the little road that leads to the
castlethe Castle Campbell signs are easy to miss. |
|

CROSSING A GORGE IN
DOLLAR GLEN
BELOW
CASTLE CAMPBELL
photo © Home At First |
Take the long, narrow road up
to the edge of town as far as you can go. A very steep one-lane road does manage to climb
up to a parking lot at the castle, but this road is not for wide or under-powered
vehicles. Whether you park below the castle or at the upper lot, be sure to explore the
gorges of one or both of the burns. Well-maintained dirt and boardwalk paths lead steeply
through these dramatic and romantic settings. Be advisedif you park below the
ravinesthat the walk up to the castle requires almost twenty minutes of steep
climbing.
Castle Campbell no longer is in the hands of
the Campbell family and the Dukes of Argyll. Today it belongs to the Historic Scotland
commission.
OPENING TIMES: It is open daily April through September from
9:30AM-5:30PM, and daily during October from 9:30AM-4:30PM. From November through March the castle is open
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday 9:30AM-4:30PM.
ADMISSION is £5/adults, £4/seniors & students,
£2.50/children. (Prices
subject to change; Castle maintained by
Historic Scotland.) |
| |
|
VISIT OUR
HOME PAGE!
You can visit castles in all parts of
Scotland, Wales, and
England
as part of your trip with Home At First. Our exclusive
Activity Guides tell you all about how to do it well.
|
|
Start planning your next visit
to Britain with a visit to |
|

|
|