From wonderfully preserved medieval strongholds to romantic clifftop ruins, from turreted fairy-tale châteaux to haunted tower houses, Scotland is bursting with spellbinding castles that will leave you breathless. Steeped in legend and architectural grandeur, uncover the unique stories behind these marvelous monuments.
Loch Ness and Urqhuart Castle
Located an easy (and scenic) 30-minute drive southeast of Inverness city center, Loch Ness is must-visit when exploring the Scottish Highlands. Famous the world over as the supposed home of "Nessie" the Loch Ness monster, this picture-perfect freshwater lake is also home to one of the country's most iconic fortresses: Urquhart Castle. Although now just ruins, it's easy to picture just how magnificent this castle once was.
In addition to superb exhibits dealing with the castle's rich history, the site also boasts a great café with stunning views over Loch Ness, as well as a gift shop. For more on the mythical beast that inhabits the lake, visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, with its fascinating displays relating to the monster and the surrounding area.
Located an easy (and scenic) 30-minute drive southeast of Inverness city center, Loch Ness is must-visit when exploring the Scottish Highlands. Famous the world over as the supposed home of "Nessie" the Loch Ness monster, this picture-perfect freshwater lake is also home to one of the country's most iconic fortresses: Urquhart Castle. Although now just ruins, it's easy to picture just how magnificent this castle once was.
In addition to superb exhibits dealing with the castle's rich history, the site also boasts a great café with stunning views over Loch Ness, as well as a gift shop. For more on the mythical beast that inhabits the lake, visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, with its fascinating displays relating to the monster and the surrounding area.
Dunrobin Castle
Only a mile northeast of Golspie stands imposing Dunrobin Castle, seat of the influential counts and dukes of Sutherland who, by the end of the 19th century, owned more land than any other landowner in Europe. The castle itself was begun in 1275, although much of the neo-Baronial style seen today dates from the mid-19th century. The attractive corner towers with their conical slate roofs lend a distinct fairy-tale look reminiscent of the famous Loire Valley chateaux in France.
Of the castle's 189 rooms, the Drawing Room stands out as a highlight, with its Louis XV-style furniture, fine portraits, and 18th-century tapestries. The extensive Italian-style gardens are ideal for a stroll and also offer fine views over the Dornoch Firth. If there's time available in your Highlands travel itinerary, linger a little longer for one of the castle's regular falconry shows. There's also a first-rate tea shop on-site serving traditional high tea.
Only a mile northeast of Golspie stands imposing Dunrobin Castle, seat of the influential counts and dukes of Sutherland who, by the end of the 19th century, owned more land than any other landowner in Europe. The castle itself was begun in 1275, although much of the neo-Baronial style seen today dates from the mid-19th century. The attractive corner towers with their conical slate roofs lend a distinct fairy-tale look reminiscent of the famous Loire Valley chateaux in France.
Of the castle's 189 rooms, the Drawing Room stands out as a highlight, with its Louis XV-style furniture, fine portraits, and 18th-century tapestries. The extensive Italian-style gardens are ideal for a stroll and also offer fine views over the Dornoch Firth. If there's time available in your Highlands travel itinerary, linger a little longer for one of the castle's regular falconry shows. There's also a first-rate tea shop on-site serving traditional high tea.
Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle
Some of the Highlands' most stunning scenery is to be found 35 kilometers north of Ullapool around beautiful Loch Assynt. This unforgettable picture-book landscape is famous among anglers for its salmon and trout fishing, as well as its majestic mountain panoramas. At the eastern end of the loch stand the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, built in 1590 for the MacLeods and later run by the MacKenzies and Sutherlands.
Other historic ruins include a kiln barn and mill, as well as the remains of an ancient chambered cairn. Also nearby is Inchnadamph Nature Reserve, home to Scotland's largest network of caves; Loch a'Chairn Bhain's seal colony; and the 200-meter-high Eas a Chual Aluinn Falls, Britain's highest waterfalls.
Some of the Highlands' most stunning scenery is to be found 35 kilometers north of Ullapool around beautiful Loch Assynt. This unforgettable picture-book landscape is famous among anglers for its salmon and trout fishing, as well as its majestic mountain panoramas. At the eastern end of the loch stand the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, built in 1590 for the MacLeods and later run by the MacKenzies and Sutherlands.
Other historic ruins include a kiln barn and mill, as well as the remains of an ancient chambered cairn. Also nearby is Inchnadamph Nature Reserve, home to Scotland's largest network of caves; Loch a'Chairn Bhain's seal colony; and the 200-meter-high Eas a Chual Aluinn Falls, Britain's highest waterfalls.
Balmoral Castle
Queen Elizabeth II's summer residence in Scotland has come to embody the Neo-baronial style of the Victorian era. The estate was first mentioned in documents in 1484, and after Queen Victoria bought it in 1852, she commissioned the Aberdeen architect William Smith to implement plans drawn up by her husband, Prince Albert.
Although located 1.5 hours west of Aberdeen, it's worth visiting on the rare days it's open to the public (and only when the Queen is away). If you do visit, you'll have the chance to catch a glimpse of the Ballroom, with its paintings and other objets d'art, and also a collection of coaches.
The extensive parkland is ideal for a relaxing stroll. The estate can also be explored aboard a fun "Safari Tour" that offers opportunities to see local wildlife — as well as the incredible scenery — up close.
The nearby town of Braemar is lovely to explore and is most famous for its annual sporting event, the Braemar Gathering. Known widely as the Highland Games, this Scottish equivalent of the Olympics has been held here every autumn since 1832. If you can't make it for the games, visit the Braemar Highland Heritage Centre, which has exhibits on the history of the games and Scottish traditional sporting.
Queen Elizabeth II's summer residence in Scotland has come to embody the Neo-baronial style of the Victorian era. The estate was first mentioned in documents in 1484, and after Queen Victoria bought it in 1852, she commissioned the Aberdeen architect William Smith to implement plans drawn up by her husband, Prince Albert.
Although located 1.5 hours west of Aberdeen, it's worth visiting on the rare days it's open to the public (and only when the Queen is away). If you do visit, you'll have the chance to catch a glimpse of the Ballroom, with its paintings and other objets d'art, and also a collection of coaches.
The extensive parkland is ideal for a relaxing stroll. The estate can also be explored aboard a fun "Safari Tour" that offers opportunities to see local wildlife — as well as the incredible scenery — up close.
The nearby town of Braemar is lovely to explore and is most famous for its annual sporting event, the Braemar Gathering. Known widely as the Highland Games, this Scottish equivalent of the Olympics has been held here every autumn since 1832. If you can't make it for the games, visit the Braemar Highland Heritage Centre, which has exhibits on the history of the games and Scottish traditional sporting.
Cawdor Castle and Gardens
Cawdor Castle, just 16 kilometers northeast of Culloden, is famous as the place where William Shakespeare's version of Macbeth murdered Duncan. Although not historically accurate (Duncan was in fact murdered by Macbeth at the Battle of Elgin), it's a wonderful place to visit with its large collection of Shakespearean literature and fine period furniture.
A hawthorn tree dating from 1370 acted as a sign to the first Thane to build a castle here, and today the lovely grounds of this fairy-tale garden, with its colorful flowerbeds, are well worth a visit, as are the nature trails and nine-hole golf course.
Cawdor Castle, just 16 kilometers northeast of Culloden, is famous as the place where William Shakespeare's version of Macbeth murdered Duncan. Although not historically accurate (Duncan was in fact murdered by Macbeth at the Battle of Elgin), it's a wonderful place to visit with its large collection of Shakespearean literature and fine period furniture.
A hawthorn tree dating from 1370 acted as a sign to the first Thane to build a castle here, and today the lovely grounds of this fairy-tale garden, with its colorful flowerbeds, are well worth a visit, as are the nature trails and nine-hole golf course.
RSS Feed
