Skipness Castle and Chapel

Skipness Castle dates to the early 1200s and was probably built by either Clan MacSween founder Suibhne (Sven) ‘the Red’, or his son, Dugald. It was rebuilt several times over three different centuries, and as such it offers a snapshot of the variation in form of Scottish castle architecture between the 1200s and 1500s.

The MacSween castle consisted of a modest two-storey hall-house and a chapel, dedicated to St Columba. Due to extensive rebuilding, the remains of these buildings are difficult to spot, but they’re worth the effort. They are among the oldest standing castle buildings in Scotland.

Skipness was the MacSweens’ secondary residence. Their chief seat was at Castle Sween. They also built the hall-house castle at Lochranza. Skipness and Lochranza flanked the Kilbrannan Sound, protecting MacSween interests.

Norway ruled Argyll in the 1200s, but in 1263, Hakon IV was defeated by the Scots at the Battle of Largs. Three years later his successor returned the Hebrides to Scotland in the Treaty of Perth. The MacSweens, who backed Norway, were forced out.

By the end of the century, the MacDonalds had control of Skipness. Scotland and England were locked into the Wars of Independence, and the MacDonalds initially backed England. They rebuilt Skipness as a formidable stronghold in about 1300, possibly with English support. Their works included:

This included converting the MacSween's hall-house into an impressive residence surrounded by a stone curtain wall, bristling with arrow slits. The MacDonalds also constructred a new chapel by the shore, possibly dedicated to St Brendan.

Read our Statements of Significance for Skipness Castle and Skipness Chapel for facts, figures and further reading about their history:

Skipness Castle  Skipness Chapel

Skipness Chapel can be found on the eastern shore of Skipness Bay, a short distance from the castle. Considerably larger than other medieval chapels in Kintyre, the windswept and remote building is surprisingly well-preserved. 

The simple rectangular building has distinctive red Arran sandstone dressings around its doors and windows, and is surrounded by late medieval and post-Reformation gravestones.

Its position overlooking the sea makes a dedication to St Brendan, known as 'Brendan the Navigator' or 'Brendan the Voyager', very apt.

The construction of the chapel tells us that the owners of the castle recognised the importance of providing a place for the local community, as well as themselves, to worship. The development of a castle toun nearby may have meant it was more convenient to locate this religious space outside the castle walls.