2026 opening
The season runs from 17 March to the end of October. Dunollie is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm, and seven days a week in July and August; last recommended entry is 3:30pm.
At a glance
Admission
Adult tickets are £13, concessions £11 and children aged 5–15 £6; under-fives are free. Family tickets are £30 for two adults and two children, or £34 for two adults and three children.
Return visits
Standard admission can be turned into a Pay Once, Visit All Season return pass. Check the current terms when you buy.
Children's trails
The Explorer Trail is included with admission. The separate Mythical Creatures QR trail costs £3 and needs a smartphone.
Playpark
The playpark is available whenever the site is open, including Mondays during July and August.
Buggy access
General paths are suitable for a standard buggy. The castle path is steep and manageable only when the adult pushing has good mobility; the museum's upper floor is not buggy-accessible.
Food and facilities
The Kettle Garden Café is open daily in July and August. A highchair, children's meal deal and smaller sandwich and toastie portions are available.
Parking
Café or restaurant
Gift shop
Accessible toilets
Toilets
Baby changing
Why visit
This works well when some of the family want history and others need space to play. The museum and castle give the visit a clear sense of place, while the trails and playpark stop it feeling like one long heritage lesson.
Access
Accessible toilets available.
Buggies and prams
Paths from the car park towards reception, the café and museum provide the easier route. The castle path is steep, can be slippery in wet weather and is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Toilets
Baby changing is in the museum toilets. There is an accessible toilet inside the museum, an accessible compost toilet beside the café, female toilets in the museum and a unisex Victorian toilet at the end of the building.
What children can actually do
The visit has enough variety to keep the history in manageable chunks. Children can look around the 1745 House Museum, explore the woodland grounds and castle ruin, follow the included Explorer Trail and stop at the playpark.
There is also a Mythical Creatures trail, but it is not part of standard admission. It costs £3 and uses QR codes, so you will need a smartphone if you choose it.
How long to allow
One hour is the practical minimum for a shortened look around. If you want children to have time in the museum, follow a trail, play and reach the castle grounds without hurrying, allow at least two hours.
Lunch can stretch the visit, but you do not need to plan the whole day around it.
Using the site with a buggy
Most of the site should be manageable with a standard buggy, but the castle path is steep. It is only a realistic option if the adult pushing is comfortable with the climb and the ground is not too slippery.
The museum’s upper floor is not accessible with a buggy. If that part matters to you, bring a carrier or plan to take turns.
Wet weather and wheelchair access
Most of the visit is outside. The museum gives you some shelter, but the castle, woodland paths and playpark are a large part of the day.
The castle path can be slippery when wet and is not suitable for wheelchairs. For an easier route, use the paths from the car parks towards reception, the café and museum; the upper accessible spaces shorten the approach to the museum and film room.
Food, toilets and parking
The Kettle Garden Café has a highchair, a children's meal deal and smaller portions of its sandwiches and toasties. It opens every day in July and August; check current café arrangements outside those months before relying on it for lunch.
Baby changing is in the museum toilets, and accessible toilets are available inside the museum and beside the café. Parking is free, with an overflow car park as well as four accessible spaces split between the main and upper parking areas.
How it fits into an Oban day
Dunollie gives you a substantial stop without taking over the whole day. Afterwards, head back into Oban or to the seafront rather than trying to squeeze in another big attraction.
Look elsewhere if you need the whole visit to be step-free or mostly indoors. The steep castle path is likely to be the sticking point.
Check opening days and path conditions
Opening days change in July and August and the season ends in October, so check the live times and prices for your date. Tickets are available online or on arrival, and you can ask about turning admission into a same-season return pass.
Wear shoes for woodland paths and west-coast weather. If rain may make the castle climb difficult for your family, ask Dunollie about conditions before setting off.
Plan your visit
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