Inveraray Castle & Gardens

The current Duke and Duchess and their family still reside in a portion of the castle, making it a unique blend of ancestral home and tourist attraction. A fine example of 18th-century Gothic Revival architecture, located on the shores of a beautiful sea loch, the castle itself is not open to the public all year-round, but visitors can explore the stunning gardens that sprawl across the estate in any season.

Inside the castle

Portraits of past dukes and duchesses line the grand rooms, while Beauvais tapestries and other artefacts offer a glimpse into the lives of the family.

Armour and weaponry

The magnificent Armoury Hall showcases the impressive family crest on the highest ceiling in Scotland (21 metres high), and a vast array of arms including musket, axes and dirk and sporran belonging to Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734).

Royal room

The Victorian Room is a tribute to the marriage between Queen Victoria's daughter HRH Princess Louise and the Marquess of Lorne, who subsequently became the 9th Duke.

Did you know?

Inveraray Castle served as a filming location for the popular television series Downton Abbey. The grand interiors stood in for 'Duneagle Castle', the fictional Yorkshire country house that was the show's main setting. Additionally, Lerner and Loewe composed some of the songs for their musical My Fair Lady, while staying at the Castle.

Want to see more of Scotland? Read our city guide: Museums, art galleries and exhibitions in Scotland.