Captivating Castles

Eilean Donan Castle - Picture by Aurora B&B in Shieldaig

You may wonder why Scotland has so many wonderful castles. Maybe we just liked building them, or maybe they were built to defend our land, or maybe to show off power and wealth. Whatever the reason, everywhere you go in Scotland there will be a castle not too far away. Sometimes ruined, sometimes still lived in, big or small, whether it's called a Keep, a Tower, a Palace or a Castle, Scotland has plenty to choose from....here are just a few of our favourites.

Edinburgh Castle - Picture by Arden Country House in Linlithgow

Edinburgh Castle is probably the most well-known castle, sitting on the top of a volcanic plug above the city and open to the public every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year. Edinburgh Castle houses the Scottish Crown Jewels and has three wonderful military Museums within its powerful stone walls. The esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle is the venue for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo every year during August at the time of the Edinburgh Festival.  Click here for our website and more castles in Edinburgh and The Lothians

Glamis Castle - Picture by Castleview B&B in Dufftown

Glamis Castle is the family home of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. Glamis Castle has been the home of the Lyon family since the 14^th century and is the seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Glamis is also famous for being the setting of Shakespeare's play Macbeth. The history and royal connections make Glamis a fascinating place to visit. Glamis Castle is located near Forfar in Angus.  Click here for our website and more castles in Angus and Dundee

Linlithgow Palace - Picture by Arden Country House in Linlithgow

Linlithgow Palace is a spectacular ruin. Only 15 miles from Edinburgh, Linlithgow Palace was one of the principal residences of the kings of Scotland during the 15^th and 16^th centuries. The Palace is famous as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Linlithgow Palace is open all year round and hosts a wonderful jousting event during the summer. 
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Hermitage Castle - Picture by The Waterside Rooms in Dornock

Hermitage Castle is huge. Located in Roxburghshire in the Scottish Borders Hermitage Castle is a ruin whose forbidding appearance shouts “Go away!” to all who approach it. Hermitage was originally built by the de Soulis family and was key to controlling the Scottish Middle March. Mary Queen of Scots visited her secret lover the 4^th Earl of Bothwell as he lay on a sickbed at Hermitage Castle. Click here for our website and more castles in The Scottish Borders

Threave Castle - Picture by The Waterside Rooms in Dornock

Threave Castle near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway is located on an island in the River Dee. Threave was the home of the Black Douglas who were Earls of Douglas from the late 1300s till 1455. Threave Castle is a traditional rectangular Keep which was annexed by the Crown in the 15^th Century. Famous for the wonderful gardens attached to it. Threave is a must see destination in for any visitor to the Dumfries area. Click here for our website and more castles in Dumfries and Galloway

Eilean Donan Castle - Picture by The Heathers in Glenmoriston

Eilean Donan Castle is on the road to the Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan is regularly photographed and filmed for its romantic setting with the little hump backed bridge leading to the Castle. Built in the 13^th century as a stronghold for the Clan Mackenzie and their allies the Clan Macrae, the castle was destroyed following their support for the Jacobite uprising. Situated on a small island where three lochs meet, Eilean Donan Castle is very picturesque and has been reconstructed during the 20^th Century. A very popular venue for weddings Eilean Donan Castle is open to visitors every day except Christmas Day and the whole of January. Click here for our website and more castles in The Highlands

Stirling Castle - Picture by Garvally House in Alloa

Stirling Castle was strategically very important, guarding the furthest downstream crossing of the River Forth and the gateway to the Highlands. One of the largest of Scotland's Castles, Stirling was important from the 13^th century to the 16^th century and even beyond. Some buildings within the walls date back to the 14^th Century. Recent renovations have included the total refurbishment of the Royal Apartments, and the hanging of the 7 replica tapestries of the Hunting of the Unicorn. Click here for our website and more castles in Argyll, The Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and The Forth Valley

Blair Castle

Blair Castle in Perthshire has for many centuries been the chief stronghold of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl. With history dating back to the 1200s there's plenty to see at Blair with 32 rooms of the Castle open to the public presenting a picture of Scottish life from the 16^th century onwards. Blair Castle is the venue for horse trials during the summer months. Open from May till the beginning of October. Click here for our website and more castles in Perthshire

Urquhart Castle - Picture by Home Farm B&B in Muir of Ord

The ruins of Urquhart Castle are on a promontory overlooking Loch Ness. A fabulous location for the dramatic history that has taken place within its walls. The present ruins date from the 13^th to the 16^th century though the site has been occupied since the early medieval period. Granted to the Clan Grant in 1509 a continuing conflict with the Clan MacDonald meant the Castle was continually attacked and strengthened. It was finally abandoned in the 17^th century. Click here for our website and more castles in The Highlands

Dunnotar Castle - Picture by Duntrune House in Dundee

One of the most dramatic sites for a Scottish Castle must be Dunnottar Castle. The ruined medieval fortress is perched on a rocky headland on the north east coast of Scotland. Dunnottar Castle played a significant role during the Jacobite Uprising s in the 18^th century and is the place where the Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army. Dunnottar Castle was the property of the Clan Keith from the 14^th century. Click here for our website and more castles in Aberdeen, Grampian and Moray

Castle Campbell - Picture by Garvally House in Alloa

Castle Campbell sits above the village of Dollar in Clackmannanshire. Built to guard the drovers road across the Ochil Hills into Perthshire, its location offers stunning views to the south. Castle Campbell was one of many castles owned by the Clan Campbell and the Dukes of Argyll and it was their lowland stronghold. Originally called Castle Gloom with the two hill streams running either side of it called Sorrow and Care. The site was easily defended and there was an early motte on the site from the 12^th century. Click here for our website and more castles in Argyll, The Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and The Forth Valley

Drumlanrig Castle - Picture by Torbeckhill in Lockerbie

Drumlanrig Castle is owned by the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensferry and is located on the Queensferry estate which is in the northern part of Dumfries and Galloway. Drumlanrig is a magnificent building built in the late 17^th century and nicknamed the Pink Palace as it was built of red sandstone. Unlike so many of Scotland's castles Drumlanrig is not a defensive building, though it is built on the site of what was once an ancient Stronghold of the Douglas family. It is built in the renaissance style. Drumlanrig houses the Buccleuch art collection which include a Da Vinci and Van Dykes, some of which were stolen in 2003 and were luckily found and returned in 2007. Click here for our website and more castles in Dumfries and Galloway

Inverness Castle - Picture by Home Farm B&B in Muir of Ord

Inverness Castle like both Stirling and Edinburgh is built on a rock and overlooks the city below. However, the present building is quite modern, built in 1836 on the site of an earlier 11^th century building. It is used today to house Inverness Sheriff Court and is not open to the public.
Click here for our website and more castles in The Highlands

We hope you have enjoyed our whistle stop our of our favourite castles.  If you want to read about lots more, visit our website and see what you could visit on your next trip to Scotland Website
Thank you to Naomi McMahon at Garvally House B&B in Alloa for researching and writing this blog