Scottish Castles

Local information

Claypotts Castle, Angus and Dundee

Location: Dundee, DD5 3JY (map and directions)

Originally built by John Strachan from 1569 to 1588, Claypotts Castle is a small castle in West Ferry, a suburban area of Dundee. Claypotts Castle is made up of a rectangular main block, and two projecting towers at either end of the towerhouse.

Claypotts Castle © Val Vannet

History of Claypotts Castle

The castle was built to serve as a domestic residence rather than any sort of defensive structure, as evident from its diminutive stature. In spite of its size, Claypotts is an extraordinary example of 16th century architecture which remains almost completely intact and unaltered.

Claypotts Castle was built on land owned by the Strachan family, who sold the castle in 1601. From this time the castle passed through several owners’ hands until 1689 (including ‘Bonnie Dundee’), when the then-owner Viscount Dundee John Graham of Claverhouse died and Claypotts became property of the crown.

Five years later, in 1694, Claypotts Castle was gifted to James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas, and ownership then transferred on to his son, the Duke of Douglas. After several legal battles, the 13th Earl of Home acquired Claypotts through marriage until the castle moved back into state care in 1926. Claypotts Castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland.

Map and directions

Other castles in Angus & Dundee