Scottish Castles Association

Dunollie Castle - Oban

Dunollie Castle, Oban, is to be locked up at night to prevent harm to visitors and building alike.

Centuries of neglect and the invasion of ivy have brought the castle into a state of progressive collapse. A more recent threat has been the attention of vandals who have smashed the flood lights, lit fires and used it as a toilet as well as holding 'parties' in the ruin.

As a result the Clan MacDougall Preservation Trust have closed the castle for the first time in 50 years.

However,there is hope as plans are being drawn up to give Dunollie a £1.5 m facelift. Proposals (provisionally agreed with Historic Scotland) include removing the ivy and invasive trees.