Dunvegan Castle is a medieval fortress and stately home on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and the ancestral seat of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting.
This Scottish castle is a highlight of an Isle of Skye day tour from Inverness.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 10am-5.30pm daily, 1 April to 15 October (last entry 5pm); closed 16 October to 31 March |
| Admission | Castle & Gardens: Adult £17.50, Child (5-15) £12, Senior/Student £15, Family £45; Gardens Only: Adult £15.50 |
| Address | Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8WF, Scotland |
| Nearest public transport | Stagecoach bus 56 from Portree to Dunvegan village (1 mile from castle) |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours (castle, gardens and seal trip) |
| Distance from Portree | 25 miles (30-40 minutes by car) |
Dunvegan Castle opening hours
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is open daily from 1 April to 15 October. Opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm, with last entry at 5pm. All areas must be vacated by 5.45pm. The castle closes for winter from 16 October to 31 March.
During peak season, entrance to the castle may be staggered to prevent overcrowding. The MacLeod Tables Café operates during castle opening hours.
Seal boat trips run from 1 April to 30 September.
Why book the Skye day tour from Inverness with Fairy Pools & Dunvegan Castle?
- Explore the Isle of Skye’s natural wonders: See dramatic landscapes, rugged coastlines and striking Highland scenery throughout your day trip.
- Visit the Fairy Pools: Walk to the crystal-clear, multi-tiered pools set against the backdrop of the Black Cuillin mountains — a highlight for photographers and nature lovers.
- Discover Dunvegan Castle: Explore one of Skye’s oldest continuously inhabited castles and learn about its history and the Clan MacLeod heritage.
- Scenic coastal & mountain views: Enjoy multiple photo stops along Skye’s shorelines and peaks, including iconic vistas like Neist Point and Sligachan depending on itinerary variations.
- Guided full-day experience from Inverness: Includes return transport and narration from an experienced local guide, making it a stress-free way to see Skye’s top attractions in one day.
Dunvegan Castle ticket prices
Castle & Gardens admission costs £17.50 for adults, £12 for children aged 5-15, £15 for seniors (65+) and students, and £45 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children). British Armed Forces personnel and veterans with valid ID cards pay £15. Children under 5 enter free.
Tickets can be purchased online or on arrival at the ticket office. Friends of Dunvegan, RHS Partner Gardens members, Historic Houses Friends, BBC Gardeners World 2-for-1 card holders and Blue Peter badge holders receive complimentary entry by presenting cards at the ticket office. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
How to get to Dunvegan Castle
By car: From Portree (25 miles, 30-40 minutes), take the A87 south-west, then turn right onto the A850 signposted for Dunvegan. From Kyle of Lochalsh via the Skye Bridge (45 miles, 1 hour), follow the A87 north to Sligachan, turn left onto the A863 towards Dunvegan, then right onto the A850. The castle is located 1 mile north of Dunvegan village. Free parking is available on-site.
By bus: Stagecoach bus route 56 operates between Portree and Dunvegan village. Services run Monday to Saturday with limited Sunday service. Journey time is approximately 40 minutes. From Dunvegan village, the castle is 1 mile (20-minute walk) or a short taxi ride.
By taxi: Taxis from Portree to Dunvegan Castle take 30-40 minutes and cost approximately £40-55.
By tour: Numerous tour operators in Portree, Inverness and other locations offer day trips to Dunvegan Castle, often combined with Neist Point, Talisker Distillery and other Isle of Skye attractions. You can also visit as part of an Isle of Skye day tour from Inverness that also makes photo stops at Urquhart Castle and Eilean Donan Castle.
Parking at Dunvegan Castle
Free parking is available on-site for visitors. Dedicated parking bays for coaches and minibuses are located at the rear of the car park. Motorhomes and campervans must park in the overflow car park at the rear. Disabled parking bays are located opposite the main gate ticket office. No overnight parking is permitted.
How long to spend at Dunvegan Castle
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at Dunvegan Castle. A self-guided castle tour takes approximately 60-90 minutes. Exploring the formal gardens requires 45-90 minutes depending on season. The seal boat trip lasts 25 minutes plus queue time. Visitors taking refreshments at the MacLeod Tables Café or browsing the gift shops may extend their stay to 3-4 hours. The minimum recommended dwell time for group visits is 2 hours.
Accessibility at Dunvegan Castle
The castle has limited accessibility due to its historic structure. The entrance hall is accessible with assistance via a ramp (6 steps). Limited access to the first floor (12 steps) may be possible depending on the nature of the visitor’s disability and visitor numbers. When castle access is not possible, an armchair visit can be provided by castle guides who screen the castle video on a portable device in the flower room or outside on the land bridge. Powered wheelchairs cannot be accommodated inside the castle. Pushchairs and baby backpack carriers are not permitted inside the castle and must be left at the main entrance.
The gardens have level access from dedicated parking bays opposite the main gate ticket office. Some garden paths are steep due to terrain. Steps were not installed on moderately steep sections to facilitate wheelchair access. More accessible paths connecting the three formal garden areas have been implemented. Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs can be used in the gardens. The MacLeod Tables Café is wheelchair accessible via a ramp on the right-hand side of the gift shop. Accessible toilets are located in the car park and café. Baby changing facilities are available in the car park and café.
What to see at Dunvegan Castle
The castle tour begins in the entrance hall and proceeds through state rooms on the first floor. The drawing room contains fine furniture and paintings. The dining room displays family silver. The library houses over 10,000 books collected by successive clan chiefs. The North Room exhibits the Fairy Flag, a sacred silk banner believed to bring the MacLeods victory in battle and granted by fairy tradition. The Dunvegan Cup, a medieval drinking vessel, is also displayed. The castle combines 13th-century architecture with Victorian additions.
The formal gardens cover five acres and were designed in the 18th century. The Water Garden features ponds and streams surrounded by rhododendrons and azaleas. The Walled Garden contains herbaceous borders and a glasshouse. The Round Garden offers views over Loch Dunvegan. The gardens include specimen trees, woodland walks and seasonal plantings. A sculpture trail features contemporary works placed throughout the grounds.
Seal boat trips operate from the jetty below the castle from 1 April to 30 September, departing between 10am and 4.30pm on a first-come, first-served basis. The 25-minute trips visit seal colonies basking on rocks in Loch Dunvegan. Trips are subject to sea and weather conditions. Seal trip prices (with castle or garden ticket) are £14 for adults, £10.50 for children, £12.50 for seniors, students and groups, and free for children under 5.
Guided castle tours depart from the main entrance hall at regular intervals between 10.30am and 4.15pm. At peak times, guided tours may be suspended to reduce overcrowding. A self-guided tour option is available with the Dunvegan Castle guidebook. Information in public rooms is available in multiple languages.
Practical tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Purchase tickets online in advance to guarantee entry, though walk-up tickets are available at the ticket office. |
| Arrive between 10am-11am to view the castle before tour buses arrive, typically from 11.30am onwards. |
| Allow extra time if planning to take a seal boat trip, as these operate on a first-come, first-served basis and queues form during peak season. |
| Drive carefully on the single-track roads approaching Dunvegan; use passing places and allow faster vehicles to overtake. |
| Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens but only assistance dogs are permitted inside the castle. |
| Mobile phones must be in silent mode or switched off inside the castle in consideration of other visitors. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Dunvegan Castle suitable for children? | Yes. A special castle key hunt is available for children. The gardens include a Wild Wood Trail with playground and activities. Seal trips are popular with all ages and free for children under 5. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | Advance booking is recommended but not essential. Tickets can be purchased online or on arrival at the ticket office. |
| Is Dunvegan Castle open on Sundays? | Yes, when the castle is open (1 April-15 October). The castle operates daily including Sundays from 10am to 5.30pm. |
| Can you take photographs inside? | Yes. Non-commercial photography without flash, selfie sticks or tripods is permitted inside the castle for personal use. |
| Are there toilets? | Yes. Toilets are located in the car park (open during seasonal opening times only). Nearest public toilets outside season are in Dunvegan village car park. |
| Can you visit just the gardens? | Yes. Gardens Only tickets are available at reduced prices: £15.50 for adults, £10 for children. |
Things to do near Dunvegan Castle
Neist Point (13 miles west): Westernmost point of Isle of Skye with lighthouse built in 1909, dramatic cliffs and cliff-edge walk.
Claigan Coral Beach (4 miles): White crushed shell beach on Loch Dunvegan shores with turquoise water. Walk takes 25-45 minutes from car park.
Talisker Distillery, Carbost (14 miles): Scotland’s oldest working Isle of Skye distillery, founded 1830, offering tours and tastings of single malt whisky. Tickets required, advance booking recommended.
Fairy Pools (18 miles): Series of crystal-clear blue pools and waterfalls on River Brittle in Glen Brittle. Popular walk taking approximately 2-3 hours return. Parking fee £6.
Giant Angus MacAskill Museum, Dunvegan village (1 mile): Small museum dedicated to Angus MacAskill (1825-1863), the tallest non-pathological giant in recorded history at 7ft 9in.
More Scotland travel
Other Scottish Highlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- How to visit the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye.
- Practical visitor guide to Lealt Falls on the Isle of Skye.
- What you need to know before visiting Attadale Gardens and Strome Castle.
- Guide to visiting Dunrobin Castle in Golspie.
- How to get the best out of Inverness Castle.
