Dunollie Castle Collection

Dunollie Castle Collection

Dunollie Castle is the seat of Clan MacDougall, one of the oldest Scottish Highland clans. Located about 1 mile north of Oban, in an area of Argyll known to have been inhabited for at least 8,000 years, the now ruined medieval Dunollie Castle overlooks the Western Hebrides, guarding the key waterways of the West Coast of Scotland.

In the 12th century Dunollie began its 1000 year history as a MacDougall stronghold, when Somerled, a Gaelic warrior chieftain, rose to prominence, through marital alliance and military conquest, to create the Kingdom of Argyll and the Isles.

Today, under the guardianship of a Trust set up by the current Clan Chief, a collection of artefacts representing 900 years of continuity, provides an incredibly vivid view, not just of MacDougall Clan history, but of that of Scotland itself.

Dunollie Castle

The Dunollie Preservation Trust

Today, the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust cares for a collection of more than 10,000 objects of international importance, including a number of beautiful family textiles, such as a set of remarkable curtains, stitched by the ladies of the house during the 1793 Jacobite Rising, and what ias said to be the oldest known tartan in the world.

Our work with Dunollie has taken us into the deepest parts of the textile collection and enabled us to produce kits based on some of the textile treasures in the care of the Trust. In 2025 we will be releasing four new special designs, the sale of which will directly support upkeep of the textile collection.

Dunollie Castle Kits

Dunollie Pocket Kit
Dunollie Pocket Kit
Inspired by a single tie-on pocket from Dunollie Castle, Scotland, this kit lets you stitch your own piece of history. Once hidden beneath petticoats, pockets like these were practical, portable, and deeply personal—cherished by women since the 17th century. This kit features a design adapted for a cushion and includes...
Dunollie Feathers Kit
Dunollie Feathers Kit
Honouring the Jacobite cause, the Dunollie Feathers replicates a repeated motif featuring the Prince of Wales Feathers.  Replicated from a set of 18th Century Bed Hangings from Dunollie Castle near Oban, Scotland, this design showcases a vast array of fun techniques, stitched in fine Renaissance wools in a beautiful indigo.
Embroidered floral design on a beige fabric background
Dunollie Rose & Honeysuckle Kit
A re-imagined version of a previously available design, the Dunolle Rose & Honeysuckle brings to life a collection of 17th century fragments from Dunollie Castle, Scotland.  Created by Deborah Wilding and part of a pair of designs from the same historic embroidery, this vibrant floral spray features a rose, honeysuckle...
The Dunollie Thistle Kit
The Dunollie Thistle Kit
This sparkling goldwork design of an iconic Scottish thistle, has been created by embroidery tutor and artist Zina Kazban. Inspired by an early-19th Century tartan suit, from Dunollie Castle, Oban–seat of the MacDougall Clan–the thistle design incorporates an incredible array of unusual goldwork stitches and techniques.The kit includes high-quality, British-made...
Embroidered flowers on a beige background
Dunollie Borage & Pansy Kit
Created in a vibrant array of No.60 DeVere silk threads and Japanese metal thread, the Borage & Pansy design joins our Dunollie Castle Collection. Another stunning creation by Deborah Wilding, this design is a celebration of classical Elizabethan silk and metal thread embroidery.This design recreates an incredible set of 18th-century...