Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
4 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
5 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
6 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
7 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Hermit's Castle
AO Edited

Hermit's Castle

Believed to be the smallest castle in Europe.

Achmelvich, Scotland

Added By
Niall McCumesty
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Hermit’s Castle   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Hermit’s Castle   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  conlyn55 / Atlas Obscura User
Hermit’s Castle Interior.   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Hermit’s Castle   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Scotland is renowned the world over as a land of dramatic scenery steeped in history, with many ancient castles to explore. However, on a windswept headland in the middle of nowhere is perhaps one of the most interesting and unusual castles of them all.

Despite its rather garish, Brutalist style of angular geometric shapes, the “castle” fits well into its surroundings with a tapestry of pebbles and shells etched into the concrete. The interior is equally bizarre. As visitors squeeze through the narrow opening, they will find a small room containing a concrete inset deep enough for a mattress.

According to legend, the castle was constructed in the 1950s by David Scott, a renowned architect from Norwich, England who was drawn to the rural nature of the Highlands. The castle stands around seven to eight feet tall. 

It's believed Scott spent six months in secrecy on the project, buying materials from local fisherman and bringing it to the lonely outcrop in his open-top boat. After this herculean effort, it is said that the architect only spent a single night in the building, before vanishing back to Norwich never to return.

Related Tags

Castles Architecture Hermits

Know Before You Go

The castle is most easily accessed via the Shore Caravan Site. Although non-residents would be able to access the site, it would be courteous to call in and buy something from the on-site shop or even try some of the local fish and chips available on weekends. 

You will find the castle at the end of the peninsula. 

Please park responsibly. Parking for those not staying at the site is available at the equally wonderful Achmelvich Beach. A twice-daily, 809 bus service to Achmelvich is also available from Ullapool.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

niallmccumesty

Edited By

rbenn250, conlyn55

  • rbenn250
  • conlyn55

Published

October 19, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://her.highland.gov.uk/monument/MHG51109
  • https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/ancient-modern-val-mcdermid-short-story-bloody-scotland-crime-fiction-86913
Hermit's Castle
Achmelvich, Scotland, IV27 4JB
United Kingdom
58.168467, -5.314542

Nearby Places

Gruinard Island

Highland, Scotland

miles away

Dun Dornaigil Broch

Alltnacaillich, Scotland

miles away

Ard Neackie Lime Kilns

Heilam, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Gruinard Island

Highland, Scotland

miles away

Dun Dornaigil Broch

Alltnacaillich, Scotland

miles away

Ard Neackie Lime Kilns

Heilam, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

Related Places

  • Castillo de Gillow.

    San Lucas el Grande, Mexico

    Ex-Hacienda de Chautla

    A historic Puebla estate featuring a striking castle.

  • German eagles at the entrance.

    Alt Duwisib, Namibia

    Duwisib Castle

    A German “baron” built this castle for his wife, but their romance was short-lived.

  • Conwy Suspension Bridge

    Conwy, Wales

    Conwy Suspension Bridge

    One of the oldest suspension bridges in the world blends in perfectly with a medieval castle.

  • Crawford Castle

    Crawford, Scotland

    Crawford Castle

    These crumbling ruins are all that's left of the ancestral home of Clan Crawford.

  • Castillo de Iscar (Iscar Castle)

    Iscar, Spain

    Castillo de Iscar (Iscar Castle)

    This Castilian castle has stood the test of time like few others.

  • Up close view of the castle during the summer.

    Kenora, Ontario

    White Otter Castle

    This log house sits in the remote Canadian wilderness, and holds a mysterious tale of the trapper who built it.

  • Mackenzie Castle

    Genoa, Italy

    Mackenzie Castle

    This Gothic revival structure has been a family home, a military base, a gymnastics center, and is now owned by one of the largest auction houses in Italy.

  • Deer outside Eremitageslottet

    Dyrehaven, Denmark

    Eremitageslottet (Hermitage Hunting Lodge)

    The castle used by the Danish Royal Family as a hunting retreat.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.