Ownership of Dunderave Castle 

 

Dunderave Castle on the shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll is a near perfect architectural creation in Scotland. The appeal of Dunderave is direct and strong, not merely visually. In scenic terms alone it is of the very highest quality and encapsulates many strands of history, tradition, romance, revivalism, and sentiment. 

 

Long before the completion of the present castle for the chief of the Macnaughtons in the last decade of the 16th century, the Macnaughton clan held land in the area from the Campbells. Perhaps they occupied an earlier wooden castle on the same site or on the rocky headland itself. The headland, as the “dun” in Dunderave implies, was probably early recognized as a place of natural strength and fortified to some extent. In medieval and renaissance times. The presence of an adjacent sloping shore might well have been an advantage in securing sea communication for trade or war. It is believed to have first begun construction in 1593 and was completed by 1598.

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The road behind Dunderave, from Dumbarton to Inveraray, was only created in the aftermath of 1745 rebellion. Until that date, the loch was not a barrier but a gateway to the outer world.

 

The presence of a substantial Campbell castle at Inveraray from the 15th century, together with the growing influence of the Campbells of Argyll, appears to have consolidated rather than weakened the Macnaughtons. Their new castle, proudly dated 1598, is probably more a sign of prestige than of any precise threat or weakness. It represented a particularly sophisticated example of the fullest development of the Scottish tower house.

 

The L-plan, a standard form of that date, with entrance set protectively within the inner angle is varied with an additional round tower attached to the external angle of the L, and a square tower within the reentrant angle. The square tower contains the cylinder of the staircase, extricating it from the plan. Whilst the round tower provides both additional fields of fire or vision and also additional accommodation. This was no crude, provincial stronghold, but the flamboyant residence of a Scots renaissance laird who, though he may not have seen the world, had his eye on developments in the Scottish Kingdom. The castle was strikingly up to date, very convenient to contemporary requirements, expensive and everything a courtier would wish.

 

The carvings around the door include a harpist (or a piper) bespeaking the splendor of the courtier’s own retinue, while the stairs ascending to the top floor. The tall stance of the castle mark it out as especially lavish.

 

Less than a decade after the date inscribed at Dunderave, the Macnaughtons followed King James to his London capital. Their influence at home may be gauged by the ability of Alexander Macnaughton in 1627 to raise a levy of two hundred archers from his lands…in a fleet of galleys with many pipers and archers.

 

A follower of the Stuart Kings through their misfortunes, Alexander died in London with a knighthood to his name. His son fared worse, having all his estates confiscated in 1689.

 

In 1700, or thereabouts, the Macnaughtons simply vanished from sight in Argyll after marriage to one of the Campbells daughters of Ardkinglas.

 

The famous Scottish author, Neil Munro, wrote a historical novel of espionage and revenge called ‘Doom Castle’ set at Dunderave in 1700’s.

 

It was originally the seat of clan chief Ian McNaughton who used Dunderave Castle as a symbol of his pride, prestige, and strength.

 

Standing on an excellent defensive position extending into the water, the fortress has an interesting and rich history. It has had several reincarnations and restorations over the centuries with much of the present castle made up of a major rebuild which took place in 1744 and subsequently in 1910-1911 under Sir Robert Lorimer.

 

Dunderave Castle appeared to have remained in some form of use until the early 19th century. By the 1880’s it was roofless.

 

In the early 20th century, Sir Andrew Noble, the physicist and artillery pioneer, bought the Ardkinglas estate, which included Dunderave Castle. 

 

Throughout the 20th and 21st century, the castle has changed hands. In 1988 it was bought by businessman Barry Weir who refurbished the castle turning it into a hotel.  

 

In 1990, Mr. Barry Weir ended his brief connection with Dunderave by selling it to the present owners, Dr. Stephen and Sandra Joffe who still currently own the castle.