was already ruinous in 1740, when a burial aisle was built on to the east end, to serve as a resting place for the Campbells of Dunstaffnage. Captain of Dunstaffnage Traditionally, an officer called the Hereditary Captain of Dunstaffnage is responsible for the castle and its defence. The office still exists, and to retain the title (now rather a sinecure without military significance), the incumbent is required to spend three nights a year in the castle. No other responsibilities or privileges now attach to the post. Castle ghost A ghost, known as the "Ell-maid of Dunstaffnage", is said to haunt the castle. A type of gruagach, the ghost's appearances are said to be associated with events in the lives of the hereditary keepers. Notes References Coventry, Martin. The Castles of Scotland (3rd Edition), Goblinshead, 2001 Grove, Doreen. Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel, Historic Scotland, 2004 Lindsay, Maurice. The Castles of Scotland, Constable & Co. 1986 Simpson, W. Douglas. Dunstaffnage Castle and the Stone of Destiny, Oliver and Boyd, 1958 Tabraham, Chris. Scotland's Castles, BT Batsford/Historic Scotland, 1997 Walker, Frank Arneil. The Buildings of Scotland: Argyll and Bute, Penguin, 2000 External links Dunstaffnage Castle – site information from Historic Environment Scotland Take a 360° Virtual Tour of Dunstaffnage Castle grounds Clan MacDougall Castles in Argyll and Bute Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Argyll and Bute Historic Scotland properties in Argyll and Bute Reportedly haunted locations in Scotland Clan Campbell