Last week I was at Dumbarton Castle which is an old friend to me as I used to play around it when I was a wee girl as I lived not far from the castle. It might be a disappointment to some people as it’s not much of a castle really, well not like Edinburgh or Stirling. But Dumbarton was the ancient capital of Strathclyde, so it’s more of a fort and has been used as such since at least AD 450. Built on a volcanic plug, as is Edinburgh, it’s located at a strategic point where the River Leven meets the River Clyde.
Over the centuries it has been well used and at one point a lot of French Napoleonic War prisoners were housed at the castle. Below is a photo of the prison but I believe that they were also living in a part of the castle which is now a ruin.
You have to be fit to visit Dumbarton Castle as it has stairs all over the place. I used to think it was 365, they said there was one for every day of the year when I was a lass, but now they must have re-counted. I’m sure I saw a sign saying 555 stairs, all I know for sure is that my knees knew all about them the next day!
Mary Queen of Scots sailed to France from here in 1435 when she went there to marry the Dauphin. But long before that it suffered attacks from the Vikings. It’s a very historic place.
I thought these photos might be of interest to people who have read Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles as the town is mentioned quite often in the books. Sadly the photos don’t do the distant mountains justice.
A few weeks ago there was a rumour going around the town that Prince Harry and wife would be given the title of Earl and Countess of Dumbarton. Wishful thinking I thought – so I was amazed to discover today that it is indeed true. I suspect that one day they will visit the town, the Georgian house (below) within castle is still used for special events, usually by the army. I just hope that nobody shows them the actual town!
There are guns aplenty scattered around the walls and strategically placed information boards.
Fascinating geology there, and very much the strategic strong point on high ground at the confluence of the rivers.
(I watched the wedding and then read commentary for a while after, so a 2:30am bedtime for me!)
Valerie,
We were lucky enough to have a local geologist lady who came into our primary school and taught us about the rocks around the area and as far as Stirlingshire, I often wish I had her with me on our jaunts, I need an expert! I also ended up watching all of the wedding, although I had intended only waiting to see her dress!
My goodness, you can’t get away from the Windsor’s soap opera even here!
Oops, I should have written “Windsors’ “.
H,
I suppose it’s all ‘bread and circuses’!
Great pictures. I have never been to Dumbarton Castle, but I would like to see it, especially with the Lymond connection. It does look as though there’s a lot of stairs to climb!
Helen,
Yes you have to be fit or else take it slowly, it’s worth it for the views from the top though.