Castle House Museum

About the museum

Castle House Museum has been open since 1998. It began as a small exhibition of Clyde steamer models in part of the Argyll Hotel, but the space was too restrictive, and Argyll and Bute Council then offered part of Castle House at a nominal rent. A legacy from a founder member later allowed the trust to extend the exhibits and widen its services to the local community.

The building stands on Castle Hill, where a flagpole marks the site of a 13th-century stone castle. In 1820 a Glasgow Lord Provost bought the land around the ruined castle and built Castle House as a holiday home. The house later served as Dunoon's public library for many years and now holds the museum and a ceremonies suite for weddings.

The displays tell the story of Cowal from the Stone Age to the American nuclear submarines of the Cold War. Themes include the town's heyday as a holiday resort served by paddle steamers from Glasgow, wartime Cowal with its anti-submarine boom and gun emplacements, and the US Navy presence at Holy Loch, which lasted more than thirty years until 1992. The museum is run by the Dunoon and Cowal Heritage Trust, largely by volunteers, and many objects were donated or lent by local people.

Highlights

• Interactive displays on Dunoon and Cowal from the Stone Age to the Cold War
• Reconstructed Victorian rooms
• Clyde steamer and holiday resort history
• US Navy submarine base at Holy Loch
• Large photograph archive and original memorabilia
• Garden with the Highland Mary statue and views over the Firth of Clyde

Permanent exhibitions

• History of Dunoon and Cowal – Interactive displays tell the story of Cowal from the Neolithic period through clan conflicts and the steamer era to the two world wars and the Cold War.
• Victorian rooms – Furnished room sets show how a Victorian household in the area lived.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Dunoon and Cowal Heritage Trust (registered charity SC008881)

Admission & discounts

The adult price includes an optional 10% donation. Accompanied school pupils are admitted free, and adults in school groups are asked for a small donation.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A ramp leads from the car park into the ground-floor foyer, and a lift goes up to the main entrance and reception. A stairlift serves the six steps up to the main exhibition area. On the return route through the Victorian corridor there are five unavoidable steps down to the last two of the four Victorian rooms. A manual wheelchair can be borrowed, and there is an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Seating with backs, mostly with arms, is provided. Assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls are available on request. A "What to Expect" guide is available as a PDF.

Kids & families

Accompanied children are admitted free. Schools can use an activities booklet and a loan box of historical objects.

Getting there & parking

From the CalMac ferry terminal, cross at the zebra crossing, pass Dunoon War Memorial opposite The Queen's Hall and follow the inclined path up to the museum (about seven minutes). From the Western Ferries terminal at Hunter's Quay it is about a six-minute drive. There is no bike rack, but up to three bikes can be stored under the foyer stairs at the owner's risk.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The gift shop sells postcards, jewellery, crafts and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi is available. There is no café, but visitors can picnic in the gardens.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit