Dunvegan Castle wins VisitScotland award

Dunvegan Castle won the award after a detailed renovation of the castle and its grounds begun eight years ago. Picture: Robert Perry/TSPL

The accolade comes after an extensive renovation of the castle and wider estate, which has been ongoing since 2008.

Improvements to Dunvegan Castle and its surroundings include restoration of the castle’s roof and windows, as well as landscaping and design work in the castle gardens.

A new main gate ticket office as well as refurbishment to the cafe and gift shops join the resurfaced car park and complete the improvements.

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Speaking in regards to the award, Estate Director Hugh MacLeod said: “This 5 star award is wonderful news. It recognises all the hard work and dedication of the MacLeod Estate team and the positive impact of the rolling programme of major capital investment in Dunvegan Castle and the wider estate since 2008.

“This award also recognises the legacy of my late father who had the vision to see that in order to Hold Fast in the modern world, Dunvegan had to adapt from being a medieval fortress designed to keep people out to a place focused on welcoming people in.

Our dedicated team have extended a warm Highland welcome to millions of visitors which has the beneficial ripple effect of underpinning many Skye

businesses that rely on the crucial visitor spend that generates.”

Dunvegan Castle and Gardens are the main attraction of the 42,000-acre MacLeod Estate on the Isle of Skye. The landmark and ancestral home of the Chief of clan MacLeod attracts over 125,000 visitors per year, and contributes £660,000 per year on average to the local island economy.

Since 2008, tourist activity at the site has contributed more than £4.2m to the Skye economy and over £8m to the Scottish economy overall.

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