Castle & Gardens
Caisteal & Gàrraidhean
Castle & Gardens
Discover the heart of Armadale, where romantic castle ruins meet beautifully planted gardens and sweeping views across the Sound of Sleat.
Bursts of colour around every corner
The gardens were originally laid out by Lord Macdonald in the early 19th century. Today you can wander amidst 40 acres of trees, shrubs and flowers. A surprising number of exotic varieties thrive in our mild, sheltered microclimate.
Waterlily ponds, herbaceous borders and terrace walks provide a tranquil place to sit or stroll. Magnificent trees, many over 100 years old, tower above carpets of bluebells and orchids in spring and summer. Our Victorian arboretum has some particularly fine specimens, mostly planted in the 1870s.
The Seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat
At the centre of the Gardens sit the picturesque ruins of Armadale Castle, the former manor house of the Macdonald chiefs. Imagine its glory days as you take in panoramic vistas over the Sound of Sleat.
Parts of the garden date back to the 1790s, when the original mansion house was built. Substantial remodelling took place in 1815 by the renowned architect James Gillespie Graham to form Armadale Castle. It incorporated grand public rooms, vaulted ceilings with intricate mouldings and a fine staircase with a stained glass window of Somerled, progenitor of the clan. The Gothic bridge, a Historic Environment Scotland designated monument, was built in 1825 on 'Lord MacDonald's Drive' - the main path up to the Castle.
For your safety, the Castle ruins are currently fenced off due to their unstable condition. The surrounding area still offers wonderful views, and plans are underway to stabilise the structure to enable full access in the future.
Adventure Playground
Our adventure playground is a great place for children to let off some steam, with swings, climbing equipment and plenty of space to play. Bring along a picnic, enjoy the surrounding woodland and let the kids have fun while you take a break.