Description

Mostly 17th or 18th century fortifications on a large, steep, twin-peaked rock; partly enclosed by irregular curtain walls

at south-west and north-east, with gun batteries.

Rubble-built throughout, with ashlar dressings. Entrance at

south: 19th century outer gate. Inner (Classical,

round-arched) gate, triangular-plan King George's battery

with circular sentinel box corbelled over southern angle and

simple, classical 3-storey and attic 3-bay governor's house

all by Captain John Romer, 1735, Military Engineer for

Scotland. Steps behind governor's house lead through rock

cleft and guardhouse (probably 16th century; gun ports,

carved mask stone and 2 18th century windows) and through

pointed narrow archway of portcullis arch (probably 14th

century). Well and 2-storey, 5-bay French prison (latter

built between 1750-1775) at head of cleft, and ruins of 1617

Wallace tower which formerly guarded north entrance. Site of

Mediaeval White Tower and modern view indicator on western

summit (White Tower Crag); 1748 magazine by William Skinner

on eastern summit (The Beak) beside 1735 sentinel box (also

by Romer) on eastern curtain wall.

Statement of Interest

Guardianship monument. Anciently Al Cluith. Scheduled Ancient Monument No 90107.

Dumbarton Castle has a longer record history as a stronghold

than any other place in Britain (first noted circa 440-460

AD) Formerly the centre of the ancient kingdom of

Strathclyde, and later, an important mediaeval royal castle.

Reports on excavations 1974-<> by Leslie Alcock published in

PSAS and Glasgow Archaeological Review.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Dumbarton Castle at Wikipedia
• Dumbarton Castle official website
• Wikidata Q2177200

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)