When are you open?
We’re open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, from mid-March through to the end of October. Closed Mondays. There are occasional Saturday evening openings and special event days through the summer – check the events page or our social channels for those.
When’s the last entry?
Recommended last entry is 3.15pm. That gives you time to look round the museum, walk up to the castle and pause for a view before we close at 4pm. If you only want to see the museum, you can come a bit later, but the castle path takes a good 15 minutes there and back.
How much does it cost?
- Adult: £13
- Concession: £11
- Child (5-15): £6
- Under 5s: free
- Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children): £30
- Family ticket (2 adults, 3 children): £34
Groups of 10 or more get a 10% discount. Tickets can be bought online ahead of time or at our reception booth on the day of your visit.
Concession applies to over-65s, full-time students, people with a disability and people in receipt of income-based benefits. Please be ready to show proof if a member of staff asks.
Is the annual pass really included?
Yes. One entry ticket converts to an annual pass for the open season, so you can come back as many times as you like through to the end of October. Particularly handy if you live in the area, or if you’re staying nearby for a week and the weather looks mixed.
How do I get there?
Dunollie sits about a mile north of Oban, on the coast road towards Ganavan. It’s a pleasant 20-minute walk or 7-minute cycle from the centre of town, or a 2-minute drive. There’s onsite parking, including accessible spaces close to the museum and cafe.
Is the site accessible?
The paths from the car park to reception, the Kettle Garden Cafe and the 1745 House Museum are all wheelchair accessible, and there are accessible toilets in the museum. The castle path itself is steep and uneven and isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or buggies – there is a handrail along it and walking sticks are available at reception if they help. If you have specific access needs, please get in touch before your visit and we’ll do what we can.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds and at the castle. They aren’t allowed inside the 1745 House Museum or the Draper’s Shop. Water bowls are dotted around the site.
How long should I allow?
Most people spend two to three hours with us. An hour for the museum, an hour for the castle and grounds, and a stop at the cafe in between. If you’ve got children with the Explorers Trail or the Mythical Creatures QR trail to follow, allow a bit more.
Are guided tours included?
A guided tour runs at 11.30am, Tuesday to Friday, and lasts around an hour. It costs £4. It’s mostly outdoors, with the second half going up the castle path, so dress for the day. A piper plays at the castle on Sundays through the summer.
Is there a cafe?
The Kettle Garden Cafe serves home baking, light lunches, soup, scones and Scottish meal deals through the day. Last orders are at 3.45pm so we can clear down before close. Vegetarian options are always available – if you have other dietary needs, give us a shout in advance and we’ll see what we can do.
Is there a shop?
The Draper’s Shop has tartans, locally made gifts, books and souvenirs, much of it from Argyll makers. It’s open the same hours as the museum.
What’s there for children?
Quite a lot. The Dunollie Explorers Trail and the Mythical Creatures QR trail both take children through the grounds in a structured way, the Faerie Garden and Willow Hall are made for poking about in, and the castle ruin has the obvious appeal of a real castle on a hill. Family events run through the season – Easter, Halloween and Christmas in particular.
Can I bring a pushchair?
Yes, around the grounds, museum and cafe. The castle path is too steep for pushchairs, so plan to leave it at the bottom or carry the small passenger up. There’s a safe place to park buggies near the museum.
Can I take photographs?
Photographs for personal use are welcome anywhere on the site. If you’d like to film, photograph for commercial use, or fly a drone, please get in touch first – some of the collections need a bit of care around lighting and copyright.
What about group visits?
We welcome coach groups, special interest visits and tour operators with bespoke packages, from straightforward self-guided visits to workshops with access to the archives or textile collections. Out-of-hours and out-of-season visits can be arranged. Ten percent off for groups of ten or more, and we ask for at least seven days’ notice for tailored packages.
School visits?
Yes – we work with local schools and welcome groups from further afield. Sessions usually combine a tailored tour, a heritage craft activity and a packed lunch space. Drop us a line at info@dunollie.org or call 01631 570550 to plan a visit.
Can we get married at Dunollie?
Yes, and people do. Dunollie is a registered marriage venue with Argyll and Bute Council, and we host small weddings, elopements, handfastings, vow renewals and proposals through the year. Ceremony spots include the 15th-century castle ruin with views over Oban Bay, the Willow Garden, the heated oak-framed gazebo on the 1745 House terrace, and the Wildflower Meadow with its purpose-built gazebo in the World of Trees. Up to fifty guests, and the setting does most of the work for you. Email info@dunollie.org to start a conversation.
What if it rains?
It’s Argyll – assume it might. The museum and cafe keep you dry, the woodland feels different (some would say better) in soft weather, and the views from the castle in shifting cloud can be the best of the day. A waterproof and decent shoes are the only kit you really need.
Anything else worth knowing?
Yes: Dunollie is a charity, run by the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust. Every ticket and every cup of tea helps look after the castle, the collections and the grounds for the people who’ll come after you. Thank you for making the trip.
Get in touch: info@dunollie.org · 01631 570550