Dumbarton Castle — Attraction in Great Britain

Our visit to Dunbarton Castle was nothing short of extraordinary. Nestled atop a volcanic rock, the castle offers breathtaking panoramic views of the River Clyde and surrounding landscapes. The steep climb to the top was well worth it, rewarding us with a glimpse into a past rich with history, strategic importance, and stunning architecture.One of the highlights of our visit was our conversation with Alistair, an incredibly knowledgeable guide who brought the history of the castle to life in a way that few could. His enthusiasm for the subject was contagious, and his deep understanding of the weaponry used during the castle's operational period was particularly impressive. Alistair took the time to explain the intricacies of medieval warfare, showing us various types of swords, crossbows, and cannons that would have been used in defense of this formidable fortress. His detailed descriptions allowed us to imagine the clashing of steel and the roar of cannons echoing through the hills, transporting us back to a time when the castle was a critical stronghold in Scotland's defense.The castle itself is steeped in history, dating back to at least the early medieval period, with its importance highlighted during numerous historical events. The remnants of the structures, including the Governor's House and Magazine, speak volumes about the lives of those who once guarded and lived within these ancient walls. We were particularly fascinated by the artillery placements and the strategic design of the fortifications, which showcase the castle's role in the defense against both domestic and foreign threats.The grounds surrounding the castle are equally enchanting, offering well-maintained paths and green spaces that invite exploration and contemplation. The walk around the base of the rock provided us with a different perspective of the castle, allowing us to appreciate its sheer scale and the ingenuity required to construct such a fortress in this location.Our visit to Dunbarton Castle was an unforgettable journey through time, enriched by the passionate storytelling of Alistair. We left with a deeper appreciation for Scotland's rich history and a desire to return and uncover even more of its secrets. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience a piece of Scotland's past in a...

Great little visit. A very unique castle without a doubt. Its a mix of castle exploring and hill climbing rolled into one 😄

First of parking was easy got a space rightaway. However i can imagine during busy times in summer you will struggle to park close by.

View from outside u dont really see much. Most of the right wall was covered in scaffolding for repair. Thats to be expected on old structures so no complaint there.

First building is a cozy little house like building which has the reception, shop, toilets and a little display room.

After that u leave and start the climb. Path to the left was closed i can only imagine for repairs. From here its just up and up

There are a few things to see as u go up but the main thing is the views the higher u go

One building is in bad shape due to dampness and the other (prison) is locked the only building u can enter going up is the magazine which as you would expect only has barrels in it

Overall its still a great visit. If u hold a historic scotland card then its worth a trip. I think the main thing is the views. As far as history goes theres not alot to see other than some walls.

Some things i will say tho is it lacks any reason to stick around u are up and down in no time. Above the shop would make a great little cafe. The way the castle supposedly looked up top with a little street sounded amazing. And would be great if that could be recreated. Little hut selling ice cream 😝 more reasons to visit...and stay longer. Also it really needs ALOT more work and maintenance as it it very noticeable its...

Hi Folks it's been a while since I've last put anything on the contributions. I have chosen the car park across from the Castle. Reason for me picking the car park was because it has a short path that leads to a table with benches to sit down on, with a clear view of the port Glasgow, greenock etc..on the opposite side to where you are sitting and a lot of grass for your pets to enjoy. Able and disabled parking with plenty of space for parking. It also has the local football stadium so parking no problem folks. I had to go to the top on crutches many years ago and I was last bar the bride and minister because of the crutches. I have to say a more romantic wedding than the ones before also after that wedding pale into comparison as it was a beautiful ceremony and day, which continued into a lovely atmosphere as well as evening. It's also one of the places that I used to take my brother's dog after he'd died and she loved it when I took her there great wee dog. That's all I can say for now but I might have more about this later on in the future folks. It also has a bowling green next to the Castle with all the usual facilities for able and disabled people to get involved in and if I'm not mistaken they also hire the venue out for wedding, funeral, christening...