Duntulum Hotel & Castle, Isle of Skye 1970

Perched dramatically on the windswept cliffs of the Isle of Skye’s northern tip lies the haunting ruin of Duntulm Castle, a once-proud stronghold of the MacDonalds of Sleat. Just a short stroll away stands the Duntulm Hotel, a traditional whitewashed building that has long welcomed travellers drawn by the area’s wild beauty and deep sense of history.

Duntulm Castle: A Fortress of Feuds and Legends

The origins of Duntulm Castle stretch back to at least the 14th century, when the powerful Clan MacLeod controlled much of the Trotternish Peninsula. The site itself may have been occupied even earlier, possibly by Norse settlers or as an Iron Age broch. By the early 17th century, the Clan MacDonald of Sleat had seized control and made Duntulm their principal seat, expanding it with additional towers and domestic buildings. Its strategic position—defended on three sides by steep cliffs and overlooking the Minch—offered both protection and panoramic views of approaching ships.

But like so many castles in Scotland, Duntulm fell victim to changing times. Around 1732, the MacDonalds abandoned the exposed site for the more comfortable Monkstadt House a few miles inland. The castle was left to ruin, its stones reportedly repurposed for the new house. Over the centuries, the sea and weather have steadily eroded the remaining walls, with a portion of the main tower collapsing into the sea as recently as 1990.

Today, only parts of the thick curtain walls and lower chambers survive, fenced off for safety but still dramatically visible. The setting remains spectacular: waves crashing far below, seabirds wheeling above, and the Outer Hebrides visible on the horizon. Tales of ghosts—like the spirit of a clan nurse who dropped a baby from the ramparts—add to the castle’s atmosphere of melancholy and myth.

The Duntulm Hotel: A View into the Past

A few hundred metres south of the castle stands the Duntulm Hotel, once one of Skye’s most remote but iconic places to stay. Built in the 19th century, the hotel capitalised on the growing interest in Highland tourism and the romantic ruins nearby. With its traditional architecture and unrivalled views, it became a favourite with travellers seeking a quiet retreat in Skye’s dramatic north.

Set against the backdrop of the castle and the cliffs of Tulm Bay, the hotel offered a timeless experience—log fires, hearty meals, and rooms looking out toward the Hebrides. From its windows, guests could see not only the silhouette of Duntulm Castle but also occasional sightings of whales and dolphins in the waters beyond.

In more recent years, however, the Duntulm Hotel has stood closed, its future uncertain. While still privately owned, it has not reopened to the public for some time, though it remains a striking presence along the A855 coastal road. Even in its silence, the hotel seems to echo the story of the castle: once vital, now part of the evocative stillness that defines this remote part of Skye.