Featured image of Barcaldine Castle

Barcaldine Castle Hotel- History, Architecture & Facts

LocationBarcaldine, Oban, Scotland (Google Map Location)
Open for VisitorsYes
Owned byPrivate Owner
Official WebsiteBarcaldine Castle
Rooms AvailableYes (wedding, events, stay, filming)

Barcaldine is a beautiful castle with antique vibes. It was built in the 17th century on the shores of Loch Creran, Barcaldine, with a charming atmosphere to spare. Even though people consider Barcaldine Castle haunted, it has been the favourite spot for tourists to have a relaxing stay while exploring the fairytale castle vibes.

Barcaldine Castle History

Campbell acquired the land of Barcaldine Castle in 1597. Between 1601 and 1609, Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy built the castle on the acquired land as an integral part of the Massacre of Glencoe. The castle was garrisoned in 1645 and 1687. In 1692, during the massacre of Glencoe, the castle was attacked. However, Campbells still stayed in the castle for more than 30 years. In 1735, they abandoned the castle and moved to their Barcaldine House.

The Barcaldine Castle estate was sold during 1836-1843. In 1896, Sir Duncan Campbell repurchased its tower. Its restoration work took place between 1896 and 1912. The castle remained with Campbells for almost a century. In November 2009, it was purchased by David Whitehead. Currently, it is used as a residence and a castle hotel.

Barcaldine Castle Architecture

Barcaldine Castle Architecture
Barcaldine Castle Architecture”, by jbdodane, is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Famously known as Black Castle, Barcaldine Castle is an L-plan tower house. It is one of the few ancient castles open to guests in Scotland. It has three storeys and an attic. When you enter the castle, you will notice the round stair tower located at the reentrance angle. The unique large bartizans that crown the corner of this tower house add 16th-century architectural vibes to it.

The walls of this castle are 9 feet thick, which is hard to find nowadays. You will notice many gun loops and shot holes in the walls. Some windows with iron yetts are also available. This castle has a unique entrance located at the foot of the stair-tower, which still has heavy iron yett behind the oak door.

The basement of the castle has a kitchen and cellars. It is connected to the first and upper floors through the small stair. It also functions as a Barcaldine castle hotel, so you will find various rooms on each floor. Types of rooms you will find in this castle hotel are:

  • The Argyll Room
  • The Barcaldine Room
  • The Breadalbane Room
  • The Caithness Room
  • The Lochnell Room

Each room has sumptuous interiors designed to immerse guests in the atmosphere of relaxation, a traditional look, and a romantic ambience. The entire castle includes antique furniture and artwork, which will take you back to the 16th century. You should explore the castle’s great hall with a beamed ceiling, panelled walls, a stone fireplace, and chesterfield sofas, the best place to enjoy your afternoon tea.

The castle also offers indoor and outdoor spots where you can organise your fairytale Barcaldine castle wedding and other events as well. You can visit the castle website to explore and book different event packages.

You can also sit in the Barcaldine Castle garden, lounge, and terrace and enjoy the beautiful view. It sits on the shores of Loch Creran and offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains of Glencoe from Spring to Autumn. Whether you want to get a memorable experience, encounter ghosts, or indulge yourself in ancient vibes, this castle hotel in Scotland is a must-visit.

Barcaldine Castle Facts

  • It was voted as the No. 1 Haunted B&B by TripAdvisor: It is believed that Barcaldine castle is haunted by the ghost of Donald Campbell, Laird of Barcaldine. He was murdered by the Massacre of Glencoe, Steward, with a sword in the castle. According to a survey carried out by TripAdvisor in 2013, many visitors mentioned their encounters with ghosts and spooky activities and voted as No. 1 Haunted B&B.
  • It has been offering space for filming since 2018: Barcaldine castle is now available for use as a background for TV shows, films, and photography projects. People can book it in advance and feature the castle in their movies or TV shows.
  • It has a Bottle Dungeon: During your visit to Barcaldine Castle, you will find the bottle dungeon and two hidden passageways, which were used for hiding the prisoners underground during the medieval period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Barcaldine castle?

David Whitehead has owned Barcaldine Castle since November 2009. It is operated as a residence and a castle hotel and is open to visitors.

When was Barcaldine Castle built?

Barcaldine Castle was originally built between 1601 and 1609 by Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy. And then it was restored between 1897 and 1911.

Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.
Also, don’t forget to mention your name and social media profile link if you want the credits!

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He is a versatile E-Learning Support Officer and former Academic Officer at the University of York, United Kingdom. Not just an expert in education and technology, Debayan also has a deep love for castles and mountains. With a passion for travel, having explored 168+ cities worldwide, and a keen eye for photography, He brings a unique blend of experiences to the table. Specializing in E-learning content, IT support, AR development, and software engineering, Debayan has made a significant impact, educating over 200,000 students on Udemy.

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