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The 3rd and oldest castle in Scotland owned by the crown and i suppose the namesake for the Island "dum" being one version of the gaelic for castle .It crops up in Dundee ,Dumfries , London Dunnotter, Dublin , Potsdam ,Amsterdam and a thousand other placenames across Europe which have long since forgotten their keltic roots. Were the celts not the pesky northeners for the Thracian and Spartans when the Greek Empire reigned?
Barton being the fore runner of Briton. Britain hence castle of the British in modern language.
The town apart from being the centre of scottish folklore of Arthurian legend in Scotland is also the west end of the failed Roman Antionian wall which they failed to keep and retreated to Hadrians 100 miles south. The first actual retreat in the history of that Empire.....
It being the only royal castle with its own harbour was where infant Mary Queen of Scots sailed to safety to France and in sadder times where Wm. Wallace spent a few months imprisoned before his Smithfield drama .The castle is actually twin volcanic peaks not the Georgian govenors house at the entrance to the valley between.
Climbing both can be quite challenging but worthwhile ,alone for the viewpoints, which is obviously why it was chosen for the job.
At the top there are archeological remains of the oldest settle ment on the islands but not much to see apart from the splendid views.
Written Mar 10, 2006
Address: Castle street
Every ship that was built on the clyde where the steam engine was invented was built from a model, many of the models are in the Glasgow transport museum and it is fascinating to see Queen ELIZABETHS thrice as long as yourself next to a thousand other models from the now defunct clyde shipyards but many of them were tested here in the Denny tank.
Like a huge swimming pool you can set the wind, the waves and the course of your ship. It is great fun. Many of the ship films are filmed in minature here and the wave settings can achieve tsumami proportions , icebergs have to be ordered in.
But if you want a couple of hours playing Neptune, this is a unique local to visit.
Written Mar 10, 2006
Address: Just along from the castle
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From the ramparts of Dumbarton castle you get magnificent views, especially of the Clyde RIver nad the land on the opposite bank.
Written Sep 15, 2005
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Dumbarton Castle was always well defended. Several of the gun batteries which protected the castle from attack still remain.
Written Sep 14, 2005
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Looking up from the road below to the fortifications of the castle some 80m above, is an awe inspiring sight.
Written Sep 14, 2005
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The Governor's House and King George's Battery that dominate the Clyde side of the rock were built in 1735. In 1795 the North Gate facing the town was blocked and replaced by the Duke of York's Battery.
Written Sep 14, 2005
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In the 18th Century the primary function of the castle was to gaurd against invasion form the French off the Clyde. During this time this building was constructed to house any French prisoners of war.
Written Sep 14, 2005
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A hideous looking gargoyle looks down from the castle gatehouse, one of the oldest parts of the castle today.
Written Sep 14, 2005
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The Portcullis Arch is one of the oldest surviving parts of Dumbarton Castle and dates bak to the 1300's
Written Sep 14, 2005
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There has been a fortification on the twin peaks here since the 6th century. It is a volcanic plug that dominates the Clyde basin. For some five centuries Dumbarton rock was hte capital of the Kingdom of Strathclyde. It fell into Scottish hands in 1018 and played a strategic role in their vistory over the Norse at nearby Largs in 1263.
The Mons Meg canon was used against the rock castle by James IV, during two sieges..
The castle eventually became for defeated Jacobites awaiting transpotation to the colonies.
Written Sep 14, 2005
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