What does Aros Castle look like?

The castle was protected by a steep drop to the beach, and a ditch on the landward side, with a drawbridge. It is a scheduled monument that includes the 13th-century hall-house and bailey with traces of other buildings, possibly of a later date, and a small stone-built boat landing east of the bailey. The structure appears to have comprised two main storeys and a part attic.

History of Aros Castle

The castle was probably built by one of the MacDougall lords of Lorn in the 13th century. Documentary evidence from the late 14th century records it as Dounarwyse Castle in the possession of the Lords of the Isles. Lord Ochiltree entertained the Island Chiefs here in 1608 before making them prisoners. It was described as ‘ruinous, old, useless and never of any strength’ in 1688 but seems to have been garrisoned by Argyll’s troops in 1690. No evidence exists of any occupation in the 18th century or later.

The castle was initially a stronghold of the Clan MacDougall. When they backed the losing side in the dispute between John Balliol and Robert de Bruys, their lands were declared forfeit and the castle was transferred to Clan Donald. When, some centuries later, the latter tried to conquer Scotland, they too had their lands declared forfeit, and this time Clan Maclean gained the Castle at MacDonald expense.

The Aros Castle appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Isle of Mull!