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Recommended Reviews - Inveraray Castle
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Beautiful castle!!! We were on a cruise ship excursion, so unfortunately, we didn't have time to see the gardens. The tour was educational and enjoyable! Inveraray Castle is the current home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, where they reside with their three children. Our tour guide informed us that they occasionally worked in the gift shop wearing their Duke & Duchess aprons, but they weren't there that day. The castle is well-maintained, featuring many high-quality historical artifacts. There is one spot where you can peek into the actual family residence. One thing I found fascinating and disturbing was the highland halberds on display. They had tassels on the head of the spear. The tour guide said the purpose of the tassels was to absorb blood and other fluids that might otherwise run down the shaft, making the handle slippery during combat. Some were more stained with blood than others. YIKES! The collection of Scottish weaponry was impressive and immense. Also on display were several actual royal UK gowns, capes, and other items, some of which are still in use today by the royal family.
We really enjoyed the castle and the grounds. Definitely worth the time. However, our group of 36 was too large for the tour so we all could not fit in the same room and felt a little short changed on the castle tour.
Stunning grounds and gardens! I am not huge into history and paid admission to enter the castle as well, and it was interesting, but the grounds and gardens were more my speed -- so peaceful and serene. Inveraray Castle and the grounds are very well kept. Restrooms weren't the cleanest, but everything else was clean. Worth a stop if you are in the area.
This castle of Clan Campbell is quite the sight; its armory inspires my own interior decorating. We greatly enjoyed walking the rooms and taking in the historical information. If the weather isn't pouring buckets, be sure to walk the garden. The flowers and views on the castle are a photographer's dream. In preparing for my trip here, I was disappointed by the lack of information on the food served by the cafe. Therefore, I took multiple pictures of the menu with the hope of helping those who come after me. They have a number of tray bakes and cake slices on the counter as well. I had the Connage Clava Brie with bacon panini, which was quite good. The salad along with it was pretty meh, though, iceberg lettuce like that found at a cheap fast food place in America. Drinks available include varieties of coffee and bottled soft drinks and some wine and bottled beers. There was a basket of gluten-free prepackaged goods as well.
Home of the Duke of Argyll, Head of Clan Campbell, this is not your typical Scottish castle. Those tend to be tall, gloomy edifices designed for defence. This is a much later Palladian-style mansion built in the 18th C. and added to in the 19th, and its conical-roofed corner turrets and Gothic windows give it something of the appearance of a château in northern France. The castle is still lived in by the Duke and his family, so only part of it is open to the public; however it's well worth doing the tour as there are some fine items of art, crockery and furniture to be found within. The biggest surprise is after the first two rooms and the rather uninspiring entrance hall, when you walk through to the main 'armoury hall', a 21m-high atrium that is full of light with a spectacular assortment of arms adorning the walls, ranging from 16th C polearms, short swords and targes through to 18th C muskets and broadswords. It's a wonderful space to find in such a building, and is claimed to have the highest ceiling in Scotland. Things get a bit more up to date upstairs, with displays relating to the Clan and the family, ranging from the Victorian Room, which is dedicated to Princess Louise, through to WW1 memorabilia and contemporary reports relating to the present Duke and family. The basement contains the de rigeur original Victorian kitchen with the expected assortment of copper and brass-ware. Outside, there are extensive grounds to wander through, and if you're feeling very fit there's an interesting watchtower folly on the iron age hillfort overlooking the castle, which takes about an hour to walk up to. The cafe is not bad, with a goodly selection of home-made snacks; although as you might expect the prices are a little bit on the high side. Oh yes - and they filmed a Christmas Special for 'Downton Abbey' here. Lots of pictures documenting that can be found throughout the tour.
Inveraray Castle on the shores of Loch Fyne has been in existence since the 1400's. The ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell it is open for visitation from April 1 - October 31. Adults will pay 12.50 Euro. Tickets can be purchased on-line. Parking is free. If you just want to see the gardens the cost is 5 Euro. A 1.5 mile walking tour is available with 5 major stops and points of interest. The gardens cover 16 acres with 2 acres of formal lawns and flower beds the remainder being park and woodlands. The garden is designed for four seasons and very interesting in it's own right. It was the fashion of the 19th century that distinguished guests plant a tree. Trees were planted by Queen Victoria and David Livingston.Information cards in multiple languages are available. The original foundation was laid in 1746 but not completed until 1789. The castle is of Baroque, Palladian and Gothic design originally. In 1877 a fire destroyed the castle and it was rebuilt with a third floor and conical roof. Visitation is from 10 am - 5:45 pm. The basement has a kitchen last used in the 1950's. A tea room which has a range of teas and home baked goods including scones. Everything sold is not cheap but affordable. The gift shop has an assortment of Scottish gifts. The ground floor has an armory of 1400 -1800 weaponry., portraits and furniture, tapestries, porcelains and stateroom. The saloon has a collection of portraits and furniture. Do not miss Rob Roys actual letters and belongings. The first floor has a gallery, the clan room, Victorian room, MacArthur room and the picture turret. The Duke has a residency in the castle which is sealed off from the public. He happened to be home on my visit and I found him quite engaging.
Beautiful home to the Duke of Argyll - chief of the Clan Campbell. Set on a lush property w/ huge mountains in the background & expansive acreage, this would make for the ideal wedding setting, or Princess-ie movie..... Completed in 1789, this "castle" carries with it, family history dating back to the late 1200s - telling of how the Campbells came to power & how their lineage can be traced throughout the ages & on up to present day w/ the current Duke - impressive! The garden covers sixteen acres, of which, around two acres are gorgeous formal lawns and flowerbeds - looking back on the castle from these gardens is just like you're looking at a Disney storybook The remainder of the acerage being park and woodland The house itself contains all kinds of Scottish relics & family heirlooms, paintings & the like - but mixed in w/ all the history is evidence that someone actually calls this place home - present day mementos of parties, gatherings or events are scattered throughout which gives it a nice homey feel Interesting to see the pictures of the young Duke & his family around the home & grounds, & to remember that someone actually calls this place "home" is pretty awesome
A must see if you're planning on doing a day trip to the western highlands of Scotland. Absolute stunning castle and the outdoor gardens are beautiful with so many varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. Plus the surrounding scenery is breathtaking. The inside of the castle is nice to explore as well. It's only £11 to get in and worth it. Highly recommended attraction.
Inveraray is one of the more imposing, well-preserved castles/mansions in this area of Scotland, and it's definitely worth a visit. The entrance fee is moderate (UKP 8.00), there are plenty of valuable furniture and paintings, as well as weapons, inside. Also, the small town of Inveraray itself is worth a look, e.g. for lunch break on a coach tour. I came here as part of a 1-day "lochs and castles" coach tour from Edinburgh (by Timberbush Tours, though other services offer similar routes/attractions). We had 2 hours to explore either the castle or the town or have lunch. I managed to do all three things in the space of those two hours. Hurrah for German efficiency! Inveraray Castle offers many photo opportunities, especially since you're allowed to take photos of the inside, too. There's a pleasant green area around the castle as well. The family who own this place actually live there when it's not open for tourists, so expect photos of the family in several rooms. There are knowledgeable guide about and you can explore a total of about 10-12 rooms in the castle. They do have a rather nice café, too. Expect to spend c. 45-60 minutes in the castle and gardens. The town is a 10-minute walk from the castle, and it has an ancient jail and a couple more intriguing buildings to see. If you want to have lunch in Inveraray I do recommend The George, which is on main street, on the corner of the short alley that leads to the prison. Fair selection of beers and traditional Scottish dishes. Had haggis, neeps and tatties there - not bad at all. See my pictures to get a better impression of this place.
We pulled up to Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll on the West Coast of Scotland. There are lots of rooms to see on the inside and don't miss the view of the front of the castle.
2 months ago
1 year ago
We stayed in the area for a few days. It's been 10 years since our last visit to Invereraray and last time we didn't visit the castle. So it was about time. We were travelling with our Bulldog, so we enjoyed the castle from the outside and had a walk on the castle grounds. A first building was standing near here already back in 1457. But it wasn't really used and new plans were made and got moved about a mile to this location here. The building went on from 1745 until 1790. After a fire in 1877 new additions were made as well. It is a very pretty, very well maintained and well taken care of Castle. As well as the grounds. On one side are the gardens and on the other side is a big space with wonderful views of the castle and the area around. Benches, Picnic tables and a snack stall. This side makes some really pretty pictures. From here you can access the castle, the gardens, the shop, the café and the toilets as well. We really enjoyed our time here and were just having a nice picnic for lunch - with the wonderful Inveraray Castle in front of us. What a view. Staff was very friendly and helpful. The big parking lot is just right around the corner. Fees usually apply. Except the day we went - it was not manned and the barrier open all day for some reason. read more
We toured both inside of the castle and walked around the garden and grounds during our late afternoon visit. The parking lot was gravel but quite large. We were one of just a handful of visitors that time so it felt like we had the castle to ourselves. Most of the first floor rooms were open but only half of the upstairs. There were placards in every room describing the details as well as some of the key items on display. Lots of family photos of the current family but did not see any photos from the Downton Abbey Christmas episode that was filmed partially here. I will just have to rewatch that episode. The rooms of china, swords and arms, tapestries and furnishings were quite impressive. There was even one room that was rumored to be haunted by more than one ghost. The self guided tour ended in the kitchens before exiting via the gift shop. The gardens were nicely manicured but a little early for flowers. There was a large outdoor picture frame installed on the path leading away from the castle that lent itself to a nice photo. If we had more time then we could have wandered further along the paths. read more
Beautiful castle!!! We were on a cruise ship excursion, so unfortunately, we didn't have time to see the gardens. The tour was educational and enjoyable! Inveraray Castle is the current home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, where they reside with their three children. Our tour guide informed us that they occasionally worked in the gift shop wearing their Duke & Duchess aprons, but they weren't there that day. The castle is well-maintained, featuring many high-quality historical artifacts. There is one spot where you can peek into the actual family residence. One thing I found fascinating and disturbing was the highland halberds on display. They had tassels on the head of the spear. The tour guide said the purpose of the tassels was to absorb blood and other fluids that might otherwise run down the shaft, making the handle slippery during combat. Some were more stained with blood than others. YIKES! The collection of Scottish weaponry was impressive and immense. Also on display were several actual royal UK gowns, capes, and other items, some of which are still in use today by the royal family. read more
1 year ago
We really enjoyed the castle and the grounds. Definitely worth the time. However, our group of 36 was too large for the tour so we all could not fit in the same room and felt a little short changed on the castle tour. read more
Stunning grounds and gardens! I am not huge into history and paid admission to enter the castle as well, and it was interesting, but the grounds and gardens were more my speed -- so peaceful and serene. Inveraray Castle and the grounds are very well kept. Restrooms weren't the cleanest, but everything else was clean. Worth a stop if you are in the area. read more
This castle of Clan Campbell is quite the sight; its armory inspires my own interior decorating. We greatly enjoyed walking the rooms and taking in the historical information. If the weather isn't pouring buckets, be sure to walk the garden. The flowers and views on the castle are a photographer's dream. In preparing for my trip here, I was disappointed by the lack of information on the food served by the cafe. Therefore, I took multiple pictures of the menu with the hope of helping those who come after me. They have a number of tray bakes and cake slices on the counter as well. I had the Connage Clava Brie with bacon panini, which was quite good. The salad along with it was pretty meh, though, iceberg lettuce like that found at a cheap fast food place in America. Drinks available include varieties of coffee and bottled soft drinks and some wine and bottled beers. There was a basket of gluten-free prepackaged goods as well. read more
11 years ago
Home of the Duke of Argyll, Head of Clan Campbell, this is not your typical Scottish castle. Those tend to be tall, gloomy edifices designed for defence. This is a much later Palladian-style mansion built in the 18th C. and added to in the 19th, and its conical-roofed corner turrets and Gothic windows give it something of the appearance of a château in northern France. The castle is still lived in by the Duke and his family, so only part of it is open to the public; however it's well worth doing the tour as there are some fine items of art, crockery and furniture to be found within. The biggest surprise is after the first two rooms and the rather uninspiring entrance hall, when you walk through to the main 'armoury hall', a 21m-high atrium that is full of light with a spectacular assortment of arms adorning the walls, ranging from 16th C polearms, short swords and targes through to 18th C muskets and broadswords. It's a wonderful space to find in such a building, and is claimed to have the highest ceiling in Scotland. Things get a bit more up to date upstairs, with displays relating to the Clan and the family, ranging from the Victorian Room, which is dedicated to Princess Louise, through to WW1 memorabilia and contemporary reports relating to the present Duke and family. The basement contains the de rigeur original Victorian kitchen with the expected assortment of copper and brass-ware. Outside, there are extensive grounds to wander through, and if you're feeling very fit there's an interesting watchtower folly on the iron age hillfort overlooking the castle, which takes about an hour to walk up to. The cafe is not bad, with a goodly selection of home-made snacks; although as you might expect the prices are a little bit on the high side. Oh yes - and they filmed a Christmas Special for 'Downton Abbey' here. Lots of pictures documenting that can be found throughout the tour. read more
7 years ago
Inveraray Castle on the shores of Loch Fyne has been in existence since the 1400's. The ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell it is open for visitation from April 1 - October 31. Adults will pay 12.50 Euro. Tickets can be purchased on-line. Parking is free. If you just want to see the gardens the cost is 5 Euro. A 1.5 mile walking tour is available with 5 major stops and points of interest. The gardens cover 16 acres with 2 acres of formal lawns and flower beds the remainder being park and woodlands. The garden is designed for four seasons and very interesting in it's own right. It was the fashion of the 19th century that distinguished guests plant a tree. Trees were planted by Queen Victoria and David Livingston.Information cards in multiple languages are available. The original foundation was laid in 1746 but not completed until 1789. The castle is of Baroque, Palladian and Gothic design originally. In 1877 a fire destroyed the castle and it was rebuilt with a third floor and conical roof. Visitation is from 10 am - 5:45 pm. The basement has a kitchen last used in the 1950's. A tea room which has a range of teas and home baked goods including scones. Everything sold is not cheap but affordable. The gift shop has an assortment of Scottish gifts. The ground floor has an armory of 1400 -1800 weaponry., portraits and furniture, tapestries, porcelains and stateroom. The saloon has a collection of portraits and furniture. Do not miss Rob Roys actual letters and belongings. The first floor has a gallery, the clan room, Victorian room, MacArthur room and the picture turret. The Duke has a residency in the castle which is sealed off from the public. He happened to be home on my visit and I found him quite engaging. read more
16 years ago
Beautiful home to the Duke of Argyll - chief of the Clan Campbell. Set on a lush property w/ huge mountains in the background & expansive acreage, this would make for the ideal wedding setting, or Princess-ie movie..... Completed in 1789, this "castle" carries with it, family history dating back to the late 1200s - telling of how the Campbells came to power & how their lineage can be traced throughout the ages & on up to present day w/ the current Duke - impressive! The garden covers sixteen acres, of which, around two acres are gorgeous formal lawns and flowerbeds - looking back on the castle from these gardens is just like you're looking at a Disney storybook The remainder of the acerage being park and woodland The house itself contains all kinds of Scottish relics & family heirlooms, paintings & the like - but mixed in w/ all the history is evidence that someone actually calls this place home - present day mementos of parties, gatherings or events are scattered throughout which gives it a nice homey feel Interesting to see the pictures of the young Duke & his family around the home & grounds, & to remember that someone actually calls this place "home" is pretty awesome read more
8 years ago
A must see if you're planning on doing a day trip to the western highlands of Scotland. Absolute stunning castle and the outdoor gardens are beautiful with so many varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. Plus the surrounding scenery is breathtaking. The inside of the castle is nice to explore as well. It's only £11 to get in and worth it. Highly recommended attraction. read more
11 years ago
Inveraray is one of the more imposing, well-preserved castles/mansions in this area of Scotland, and it's definitely worth a visit. The entrance fee is moderate (UKP 8.00), there are plenty of valuable furniture and paintings, as well as weapons, inside. Also, the small town of Inveraray itself is worth a look, e.g. for lunch break on a coach tour. I came here as part of a 1-day "lochs and castles" coach tour from Edinburgh (by Timberbush Tours, though other services offer similar routes/attractions). We had 2 hours to explore either the castle or the town or have lunch. I managed to do all three things in the space of those two hours. Hurrah for German efficiency! Inveraray Castle offers many photo opportunities, especially since you're allowed to take photos of the inside, too. There's a pleasant green area around the castle as well. The family who own this place actually live there when it's not open for tourists, so expect photos of the family in several rooms. There are knowledgeable guide about and you can explore a total of about 10-12 rooms in the castle. They do have a rather nice café, too. Expect to spend c. 45-60 minutes in the castle and gardens. The town is a 10-minute walk from the castle, and it has an ancient jail and a couple more intriguing buildings to see. If you want to have lunch in Inveraray I do recommend The George, which is on main street, on the corner of the short alley that leads to the prison. Fair selection of beers and traditional Scottish dishes. Had haggis, neeps and tatties there - not bad at all. See my pictures to get a better impression of this place. read more
10 years ago
We pulled up to Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll on the West Coast of Scotland. There are lots of rooms to see on the inside and don't miss the view of the front of the castle. read more
Inverary Castle was beautiful. I can't recall the admission price, but it was low compared to most others I encountered in the U.K. I loved the way the rooms were decorated, and I wish I had had more time to look closely at everything. Unfortunately I was on a group tour and didn't have much time to view the castle by the time I had finished lunch. There weren't too many rooms that were available to view, though, so we were able to rush through it all fairly quickly. The gardens behind the castle are stunning. You absolutely must walk around the back grounds! read more
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12 years ago
