Historic Scotland
Buy Tickets

Opening times

1 Apr to 30 Sept:
Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Last entry 4.45pm

1 Oct to 31 Mar:
Daily except Thurs and Fri, 10am to 4pm
Last entry 3.15pm

Check here for unexpected closures

Facilities

 

Overview

Visit a stronghold that stood at the heart of an ancient kingdom covering the area now known as Strathclyde. Set high upon a volcanic rock in the Firth of Clyde, the castle was a royal refuge.

What to see and do

  • Climb the White Tower Crag for stunning views – sometimes as far as the peak of Ben Lomond
  • Take in the artillery fortifications to see fine examples of early 18th-century military architecture
  • Enter the Governor’s House, a fine Georgian residence and home to some interesting artefacts found at the castle
  • Take our fun fact-finding quiz while exploring the castle. Available on site
King George’s Battery and the Governor’s House at Dumbarton Castle.
Cannons defending the landward side of Dumbarton Castle.
A view from Dumbarton Castle across the River Clyde.
A view across the River Clyde from Dumbarton Castle.
A view of the French Prison at Dumbarton Castle.
Buy Tickets
A photograph of a large house with a square tower, flying a Saltire flag.

Find out more

Newark Castle

7 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A stone facade with three large windows and a small wooden door

Find out more

Castle Semple Collegiate Church

9 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A detailed shot of a carved stone cross

Find out more

Barochan Cross

11 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A square stone tower house in remarkable condition seen from below

Find out more

Crookston Castle

15 miles from Dumbarton Castle
Remains of a Roman bath house at Bearsden, on the Antonine Wall.

Find out more

Antonine Wall: Bearsden Bath House

16 miles from Dumbarton Castle
The remains of a decorated gate and two windows in the wall beside it

Find out more

Kilwinning Abbey

21 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A general view of Glasgow Cathedral.

Find out more

Glasgow Cathedral

23 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A beautifully painted wall in Skelmorlie Aisle

Find out more

Skelmorlie Aisle

23 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A photograph of a large house with a square tower, flying a Saltire flag.

Find out more

Newark Castle

7 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A square stone tower house in remarkable condition seen from below

Find out more

Crookston Castle

15 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A general view of Dundonald Castle, showing its hilltop position.

Find out more

Dundonald Castle

24 miles from Dumbarton Castle
An exterior view of Bothwell Castle, nestled among trees on the River Clyde.

Find out more

Bothwell Castle

33 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A general view of the circular curtain wall and moat at Rothesay Castle.

Find out more

Rothesay Castle

34 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A general view of Doune Castle.

Find out more

Doune Castle

39 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A photograph of an old building covered in grass and greenery on a cloudy day

Find out more

Cadzow Castle

39 miles from Dumbarton Castle
A general view of Stirling Castle, showing the gate house, royal palace and the roof of the great hall.

Find out more

Stirling Castle

44 miles from Dumbarton Castle

Download our visitor app

Discover more on the go – the Historic Scotland app lets you find out about Scotland’s most iconic places wherever you are.

Save with an Explorer Pass

Get free entry to Scotland’s top visitor attractions with an Explorer Pass valid for 3 days or 7 days.

Become a member

Join Historic Scotland to visit our properties free of charge for a full year and support our work at the same time.

Hire a site for filming

Use one of our fantastic locations on your next shoot for an awe-inspiring backdrop to your work.

View learning activities

Our 300+ historic places serve as creative inspiration for all sorts of learning activities – and for learners of all ages.

Search our events

See the past brought to life by the imaginative year-round programme of events at our properties.