Scotland is true ‘Castle Country’ and renowned for their iconic ruins and grand fortresses. Ranging from cliff-top structures to sumptuous royal residences we give you 30 fine examples. With over 2,000 past and present, surely Scotland has the finest in the world?
Aberdour Castle
Extended in the 1600s by James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, Regent of Scotland. He was later executed by the Maiden, a rudimentary guillotine, which he himself brought to Scotland.
Ballindalloch Castle
Four well documented apparitions. One is a rejected lover who can be seen crossing the Old Bridge posting letters to her beloved.
Balvenie Castle
Built in the 12th Century by the Black Comyn or John “The Black”, to his friends. A two time Guardian of Scotland who were the de facto heads of State at the time.
Bothwell Castle
Played a key role in Scotland’s Wars of Independence and changed hands several times.
Braemar Castle
Built for its strategic location relative to crossings of the Grampian Mounth the castle is reputedly haunted by many ghosts. The Black Colonel of Invery leaves his outline on the four poster bed, along with the scent of his tobacco in many rooms.
Caerlaverock Castle
In the year 1300 The Maxwells at Caerlaverock, a unique triangular shaped castle, repelled a number of attacks by Edward 1 of England and his forces. In the end surrender did come. Just 60 men had defied the whole English Army.
Castle Campbell
This forbidding 15thcentury fortress is dramatically situated above Dollar Glen and has been visited by all sorts of important personage including Mary Queen of Scots.
Castle Kennedy
Surviving for a little over a century Castle Kennedy was built in 1607, only to be burned down in 1716 it remains a beautiful ruin to this day.
Cawdor Castle
A fairy tale castle linked with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Unfortunately the castle didn’t exist during the lifetime sof MacBeth and King Duncan. An exasperated 5th Early of Cawdor stated “I wish the Bard had never written his damned play!”.
Corgarff Castle
Crathes Castle
On land given to them by Robert the Bruce this harled castle was built by the Burnett of Leys and held in the family for nearly 400 years. An excavation on the grounds revealed a series of 12 pits and by is thought to be the site of the world’s oldest calendar, created 10,000 years ago.
Culzean Castle
The former stunning home of Clan Kennedy, with over 600 acres of beautiful countryside, the castle was given to the National Trust in 1945. A stipulation was that the top apartment be given Dwight Eisenhower, in recognition of his role as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during the Second World War.
Doune Castle
Occupied by Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Highlanders it was used as a prison during the Jacobite rising of 1745. A number of prisoners escaped by knotting together their bedsheets and climbing from the window. One included John Witherspoon who later moved to the colonies and became a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Drumlanrig Castle
The majestic home to the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry is also known as the ‘Pink Palace’ of Drumlanrig because of the distinctive Pink sandstone. Also home to a private art collection that boasts work by Rembrandt, Leonardo Da Vinci and Thomas Gainsborough.
Dunnottar Castle
Perched upon a rocky headland this medieval fortress is best known as a stashing spot for the Scottish crown jewels, hidden from Oliver Cromwell’s invading army in the 17th Century.
Dunskey Castle
A romantic setting, this ruined 12th century tower house on the south-west coast was the location for the 1951 film “Kidnapped” of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel.
Dunvegan Castle
The seat of Clan Macleod, one of the most powerful on the Isle of Skye, this castle has been the stronghold of the chiefs of the clan for 800 years and the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.
Edinburgh Castle
The big boy of Scottish castles and one that dominates the Edinburgh skyline atop the volcanic Castle Rock. It’s the most popular paid visitor attraction in the country attracting over a million visits each year!
Eilean Donan Castle
Recognisable as the backdrop to many films (Highlander, The World Is Not Enough and Elizabeth: The Golden Age), the present castle buildings are entirely the result of 20th-century reconstruction. The destruction of the castle occurred in 1715, when a 300 strong party of Spanish soldiers who had taken the castle came under attack from the Royal Navy.
Floors Castle
Thought to come from the word fleurs (flowers in French) the castle is a reminder of the Auld Alliance between the Scotland and France that existed for many years and culminated in the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the French Dauphin Francois.
Glamis Castle
Awash with legends and tails, the most famous is that of the Monster of Glamis, a horribly deformed child kept in the castle throughout his life where upon his death the suite of rooms were bricked up.
