Aros Castle

Aros Castle stands on a ridge above Salen on the Isle of Mull, overlooking the Sound of Mull. Built in the 13th century, it was first held by the MacDougall lords of Lorn. Later records from the late 14th century call it Dounarwyse Castle and place it in the hands of the Lords of the Isles. After backing the wrong side in a dispute with Edward I, the MacDougalls lost the castle to Angus Og of Islay. The Lords of the Isles used it as an occasional base in the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle passed to Clan Donald when the Lords of the Isles fell from royal favour. In 1608 Lord Ochiltree entertained the island chiefs here before making them prisoners. By 1688 it was described as old, useless and never strong. Argyll’s troops garrisoned the site in 1690, but no traces remain of any occupation in the 18th century or later. Today the scheduled monument shows the remains of the 13th-century hall-house and bailey. Traces of other buildings, possibly later, can still be seen. A small stone-built galley landing lies east of the bailey, offering a quiet view across the Sound of Mull.