Angus Og MacDonald once provided refuge to Robert the Bruce during the First War of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century before taking him on to Dunaverty Castle on the Mull of Kintyre.

In 1607, the Clan Donald lands in Kintyre, including Saddell, were conveyed by King James VI to Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll.

Members of the Clan Donald (the MacDonald family) continue to make pilgrimages to Saddell Castle every year, in memory of its place in Scottish history.

A collection of Celtic Fairy tales compiled by Joseph Jacobs in 1892 contains a story (The Sprightly Tailor) that is set around Saddell Castle.

It can also be seen in the music video for Wings' hit "Mull of Kintyre", filmed in Saddell Bay and featuring the Campbeltown Pipe Band marching along the beach.