Dumbarton Castle: Scotland’s ‘Rock of the Clyde’
- Wee Walking Tours
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Dumbarton Castle has a long history with fascinating stories that span the centuries including connections to the Vikings, St. Patrick, William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, and the German Luftwaffe to name just a few. So, join us as we head out onto this historic rock on the River Clyde and learn a bit about the imposing castle and its history!
Dumbarton Castle Over the Centuries
Dumbarton Rock is part of a long-extinct volcano that erupted over 300 million years ago, but the history of Dumbarton as a settlement goes back 1,500 years. As seen in the photo above, it is characterised by two peaks- ‘White Tower Crag’(left) and ‘the Beak’ (right). During the Dark Ages it was known as ‘Alt Clut’- ‘rock of the Clyde’. Historic Scotland points out that there are no visible remains survive of the Dark-Age settlement. Fortunately, archaeological evidence was found on the Beak that has provided some historical information about this period. For example, archaeologists were able to piece together that there would have been a complex of ramparts and walls fencing the rocky slopes. Intriguingly, Historic Scotland highlights how the rampart was most likely destroyed by fire, possibly during the Viking attack of 870.
During medieval times (between the 13th and early 17th centuries), “the main castle buildings were on the level ground between the Beak and White Tower Crag, with ancillary structures on the peaks themselves”. Unfortunately, all that is left of the medieval castle are the Portcullis Arch, Guard House, and the bottom storey of the Wallace Tower.
The historical record tells us that there was a castle built on the Rock by 1222. Later, it would play an interesting role during the Wars of Independence. When Edward I of England invaded Scotland in 1296 the English took over Dumbarton Castle. However, after Wallace’s legendary victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, the English garrison withdrew from Dumbarton. Furthermore, Historical Scotland points out that Wallace had three English knights imprisoned at the Castle- the first prisoners of many over the subsequent centuries.
In a tragic turn of events, Sir John Menteith, the Keeper of Dumbarton Castle, later captured William Wallace near Glasgow. It is believed that Wallace may have been a prisoner in the Castle and that is why ‘Wallace Tower’ was named in his honour. He was then sent to London and turned over to Edward who had him executed. You can read more about this in our article on the Wallace National Monument, including the famous ‘Wallace’s Sword’ which was formerly held at Dumbarton Castle.
Skipping ahead a bit in history, Dumbarton Castle also played an important role for the Stewart royal family- one of the most famous being Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary stayed at the castle twice. The first time was not exactly a pleasant stay as her mother, Marie de Guise, took Mary there when she was five years old as it was a place of greater security for them (from the English forces). They stayed there for six months, and Mary almost died of smallpox but managed to survive. Eventually, French ships were able to sail into the Clyde and took Mary to safety in France (you can read more about Mary in our posts on the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Linlithgow Palace, and Lochleven Castle).
Historic Scotland points out that Mary later visited Dumbarton Castle as an adult during “a royal progress through Lennox and Argyll in 1563. On 15 July she dined at the castle before passing on to Rossdhu…She feasted on salmon and other sea-fish, eggs, and white wine”.
From the 1600s-1700s, Dumbarton Castle served as a state prison. Curiously, this wasn’t the last time the Castle saw warfare. “During the Second World War, an anti-aircraft battery was set up there, and on the night of 5-6 May 1941 four high-explosive bombs landed on the Rock [by the German Luftwaffe], the first enemy attack on the stronghold for nearly 300 years”.
Dumbarton Castle Today
Apart from its role during the Second World War, Dumbarton Castle has been a tourist attraction since the late 1700s, with Queen Victoria famously visiting in 1847. It is now under the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
While we benefit from a more modern setup that includes concrete stairs, a visit to Dumbarton Castle is still not for the faint-hearted. As you can see from the pictures of our visit, the complex is quite large and requires climbing a lot of stairs- some very steep and narrow. Therefore, be sure to wear comfortable but sturdy shoes when you visit this castle.
The panoramas from atop Dumbarton Castle are magnificent even on a cloudy day with views to Glasgow to the east and the Highlands to the north and west.
Here are some more photos from our visit:
We hope you have enjoyed this adventure to Dumbarton Castle. If you are in the area, we highly recommend that you visit this amazing site as it is filled with history, nature, and picturesque views. Be sure to visit the Historic Environment Scotland website for more information on how you can best plan your visit.
Until next time- Explore & Discover!
