Clan MacDougall and associated castles near Oban, Scotland

 Introduction

This evening, I am posting information on Clan MacDougall. This clan is long associated with the Lorne region of West Scotland, now part of Argyll.  

Image of Dunollie Castle taken from ferry in Oban harbour.


Information on Clan MacDougall

There exist two tangible connections with the MacDougalls in the form of two castles: Dunstaffnage (below) and Dunollie (above). These ruins are in relatively close proximity to each other. They are located on the mainland shore of Loch Linnhe, near Oban, about 100 miles N.W. of Glasgow. Dunollie remains under MacDougall ownership today.

Dunstaffnage Bay, Loch Linnhe



The MacDougall clan dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries and to Dougall, the son of Somerled who became the senior king in old Dalriada in 1164. This line is ultimately of Gaelic-Norwegian descent.

During medieval times the MacDougalls were embroiled in various power struggles. Having sided with the Comyns against Robert the Bruce they lost their island power base in the west. Then a strategic marriage with Robert the Bruce’s grand-daughter resulted in a MacDougall chief being awarded the mainland lordship of Lorne in 1344.

Absence of male heirs resulted in the chiefship transferring to the House of Stewart by 1388. Subsequently,the title passed to descendants of the 4th Chief’s brother which supported King Robert I. This transfer was in consideration for the custody of Dunollie Castle. The hoped for recovery of Lorne lands from the Campbells did not eventuate. Later the MacDougalls were further weakened by their support of the (failed) 1715 Jacobite uprising.

In January 2026 Madam Morag Hadfield MacDougall, chief and head of the honourable Clan MacDougall  died. Her successor is Robin MacDougall who will become the 32nd chief of the clan.

Ms MacDougall founded the Dunollie Preservation Trust in 1998. Subsequently the Dunollie Museum, Castle and Gardens, located near Oban, have served as a living reminder of the clan’s legacy.

Dunstaffnage Castle, near Oban.

 More Information

For more information on Scotland please refer Visitors Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This extensive publication is also available via Kindle.

 

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