Mingary Castle

9.7Kilchoan, Acharacle, Scotland

Exclusive Use

You can have the venue to yourself, sleeps 10 guests in 5 rooms.

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Luxury 13th-century restoration on Scotland's West Coast

Sitting proud on its own rocky outcrop on Scotland’s rugged West Coast, the distinctive silhouette of Mingary Castle has looked over the Sound of Mull for centuries.

The seat of Clan MacIain for over 300 years, it’s one of Scotland’s true hidden gems. Until early 2016, the castle was all but an abandoned ruin. After three years of meticulous restoration work, you can stay and experience for yourself an elegant combination of luxury and history.

Mingary Castle is a unique and beautiful location to hold any event, from a small family gathering to a larger wedding celebration, corporate business gatherings, such as conferences, or a team-building weekend.

Inside

Behind the robust 13th-century walls and you will find an exquisite blend of luxurious Georgian style and ancient history.

There are four suites, accommodating up to ten guests, with additional beds available for children.

Accommodation for larger gatherings can be arranged in nearby holiday cottages.

MacDonald Suite 1
MacDonald Suite 2
MacDonald Suite 3

MacDonald Suite

Wander through the towering walls of the main courtyard to the front door of the MacDonald Suite, a self-contained apartment in the West Range of the castle. Inside you will find a cosy, beautifully-furnished setting, completed with an exposed stone fireplace and wood burning stove that few can resist curling up in front of. The hand-carved oak staircase leads up to a first-floor bedroom with a king sized antique four-poster bed and its own en-suite with a shower over the bath.

MacIain Suite 1
MacIain Suite 2

MacIain Suite

The MacIain Suite is ideal for those looking for a feast of Georgian extravagance. Its super-king-sized antique four-poster bed is the centrepiece of the room, set amongst half-height oak panelling and hand-sewn crewel fabric.

MacDougall Suite 1
MacDougall Suite 2

MacDougall Suite

Nestled on the second floor of the castle’s North Range, the MacDougall Suite’s hand-sewn crewel-fabric-lined walls host a beautiful four-poster double bed and range of refined antique furniture.

The most interesting feature of this suite however is the en-suite bathroom. It was once part of a secret passageway hiding a tiny chapel, lost within the castle walls for over 500 years. It now features a walk-in rainforest shower, underfloor heating and an opulent William Holland roll-top copper bath that’s perfect for unwinding in after a day spent exploring.

McCain  Suite 1
McCain Suite 2
McCain Suite 3

McCain Suite

Climb the hand-carved staircase to the castle’s third floor and you will find the McCain suite, ideal for family and friends. Consisting of two rooms, both with king-size oak four-poster beds, you can take in the stunning views out over the Sound of Mull towards Tobermory either from behind the sash windows or out on your own private terrace.

Lined with Italian marble, the family bathroom features a freestanding shower enclosure and bath for two, with windows that make for the perfect stargazing spot.

The Team

Castle outside view

Together, Colin Nicholson and partner Jessica Thompson bring a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry both front and back of house. They share a huge passion for hospitality and are delighted to be welcoming guests to Mingary Castle. They wish to create a warm and friendly environment for their team and guests.

Dining

3 AA Rosette Chef, Colin Nicholson, strives to showcase the best the West Coast of Scotland has to offer, using sustainable and seasonal produce, sourced locally where possible.

History

Mingary Castle was built around the late 13th century in a strategic location by the water to serve the interests of the Lords of the Isles, against the wishes of the Crown.

Activities

The Ardnamurchan area that surrounds Mingary Castle is known for being wild and remote, yet beautiful and unspoilt.

There are moors, mountains, lochs and beaches, a particular highlight being the renowned Sanna Bay.

If you are lucky, you will see iconic wildlife such as golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, otters, hen harriers, red deer, whales, dolphins and many more.

Explore on land or water, alone, or as part of the many local tours.

Prices

Mingary Castle sleeps up to ten adults in four bedrooms with additional beds available for children. Please enquire to discuss your requirements and we will be delighted to put together a quote.

Location

dine.extra.lifestyle

Mingary Castle is the most westerly castle in mainland Britain and is located approximately 2 hours' drive from Fort William.

The road from Fort William passes through Glenfinnan, where you can visit a monument raised to mark the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the beginning of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. You will also see the impressive railway viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films!

Reviews

9.7

Trusted GuestOur family, my son, daughter and their spouses, my husband and myself stayed at the Mingary Castle for six nights early in April, 2025. I have to admit I thought my husband was a little crazy when he booked this place, because of the isolated location. As it turned out this was the best part about it. The drive there was an adventure on winding single lane roads that take you past beautiful, rugged Scottish highlands. The highlands were dotted with sheep and some were occasionally in the road. The castle sets on the coast and was historically a strategic point in guarding the Sound of Mull. Clans fought over the possession of this castle, hence the clan names on the different rooms. From the skywalk of the castle you can look out to sea and get a panoramic view of the spectacular coastline. It makes you feel like you’re on the edge of the world. It has been beautifully restored. Each room is differently decorated. We especially enjoyed the heated floors in the bathroom. Gourmet meals are created daily by award winning Chef Colin. Four of the nights we stayed for dinner. The dinners were all different, delicious and beautifully presented. They even prepared a picnic lunch for us to take on a boat tour. We woke up each morning to a wonderful breakfast. The coffee was outstanding. All the staff were very cordial and ready to make our stay the best experience. Thank you Cory, Eva and Jony for helping to make this the most memorable experience. We still can’t pronounce the name of the peninsula where the castle is located, but we’ll never forget the experience of staying at Mingary Castle. J. K. Central Midwest USA
Ruth, United KingdomA very special place to stay if you get the chance.
Sandy, United KingdomAmazing place, food was excellent and the staff couldn’t do more for us.
Tristan, FranceAbsolutly amazing experience. The room was out of this word. walking on your own battlement is something else! the staff was more than great and the restaurant was the best we've had in all our scotish journey. I will be back!

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