Scotland is brimming with fascinating castles, from beautifully preserved medieval fortresses to romantic clifftop ruins, from turreted fairy-tale châteaus to spooky tower dwellings. Discover the fascinating histories of these magnificent landmarks, which are steeped in legend and architectural magnificence. Discover these lesser-known Scottish treasures by venturing off the main path.
1. Dunrobin Castle
Architecture enthusiasts can be in awe of Dunrobin Castle’s breathtaking French style on the northern shore close to Dornoch. Dunrobin, the northernmost of Scotland’s great houses, is the biggest castle in the northern Highlands, with 189 rooms.
The Earls of Sutherland, later known as the Dukes, reside in this early 1300s structure. Sir Robert Lorimer of Scotland created the interiors, and Sir Charles Barry, who also created the Houses of Parliament in London, added the stunning architecture and fairy-tale spires.
2. Floors Castle
The Duke and Duchess of Roxburgh reside at Floors Castle, the biggest inhabited castle in Scotland, which is located in Kelso, the center of the Scottish Borders, and has views of the River Tweed and Cheviot Hills.
Floors Castle has a genuinely magnificent interior stuffed to the gills with great pieces of art, including timeless tapestries and rare antiques. The holly tree in its majestic gardens is thought to symbolize the location where King James II was assassinated during a siege in 1460.
3. Fyvie Castle
Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire, once a royal stronghold, started out as a straightforward castle in the 13th century. It was owned by five wealthy families who each constructed a tower, greatly enhancing the splendor of this beautiful Scottish Baronial fortification.
Admire the ornate, lavish interiors that still exude the same splendor as they did when they were first erected. The grand, sweeping staircase is undoubtedly the most striking architectural element, but there are also numerous treasures on exhibit.
4. Culzean Castle
It is simple to understand why Culzean Castle is one of Scotland’s most well-liked tourist destinations, given its breathtaking clifftop location, fascinating history, beautiful surroundings, and Robert Adam’s construction in his signature neo-classical Georgian style.
The location of this 18th-century Scottish castle, which is close to Maybole on the Ayrshire coast and surrounded by more than 600 acres of Culzean Country Park, which includes lush woods, sculpted gardens, and a craggy shoreline, couldn’t be better for a fun day out.
5. Drummond Castle Gardens
Without a doubt, Drummond Castle Gardens has one of the best gardens in all of Europe. The gardens have appeared in the 1995 movie Rob Roy and the TV show Outlander. The beautiful terraced gardens of the 15th-century castle, one of the biggest in Scotland, may be found nearby Crieff in Perthshire but are not accessible to the general public.
A St. Andrew’s Cross with a multiplex 17th-century sundial in its center dominates the horticultural design, and the gardens provide stunning views of the castle and the surrounding landscape.
6. Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn in Argyll, close to Dalmally, is one of the most beautiful castles in all of Scotland. It is one of many castles constructed by the strong Campbell clan, which ruled over most of western Scotland in the late medieval period. It is built on a narrow, rocky peninsula connected to the coast at Loch Awe’s point.
Don’t miss the highest view when the castle reopens; stand on the battlements of the tower house and look out over Loch Awe with the peak of Ben Cruachan in the distance. It’s undoubtedly one of Scotland’s most popular castles for photos!
7. Brodie Castle
The 16th-century Brodie Castle, located in a Morayshire parkland area close to Forres, boasts remarkable plaster ceilings, an important art collection, and a rich family history. The grounds of Brodie Castle, which are justly famous for their daffodils, are covered in a variety of daffodils in the spring.
8. Dirleton Castle
Many of Scotland’s castles are impressive due to their ominous grandeur and bloody past, but the charming and romantic Dirleton Castle, built in the 12th century and located in East Lothian near North Berwick, is best known for its magnificent gardens, which include a Victorian garden and an Arts and Crafts herbaceous border.
9. Kelburn Castle
Kelburn Castle in Ayrshire, close to Largs, is next on the list. Everyone who sees it adores the painting on the castle’s outer walls, which shows cartoons intertwined together. Really strange, isn’t it? It has been considered one of the world’s top examples of urban art.
The interior of Kelburn Castle is lavish and opulent in contrast to the façade, and its grounds include a secret woodland with a Chinese garden, waterfalls, and a gingerbread castle that would make for an excellent day trip.
10. Castle Fraser
The baronial five-story tower house in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, is one of the biggest, most romantic-looking castles in the nation. Film enthusiasts may recognize Castle Fraser from the 2006 Helen Mirren film The Queen, in which it served as a background.
Explore the castle’s interior and climb the circular tower for sweeping views of the surrounding gardens and land. According to legend, a princess was killed in the Green Room, she haunts the castle at night, and mysterious piano playing has been heard. Still, dare you to come?
11. Caerlaverock Castle
Imagine a castle with towers at each corner and massive sandstone walls in the shape of a triangle. The captivating Caerlaverock Castle in Glencaple in Dumfries & Galloway is one of the most powerful-looking castles in the world.
It has a storybook character thanks to its evocative green moat and location inside a nature reserve. It’s the only castle of its kind in the entire globe! Although the castle is still locked, you can still roam around the grounds, look at the store, and use the restrooms.
12. Balhousie Castle
Perth’s magnificent Balhousie Castle is home to artifacts from the Black Watch, Scotland’s first Highland regiment. The history of this illustrious regiment is vividly brought to life through uniforms, artwork, medals, photographs, weapons, and equipment.
13. Duart Castle
In the middle of the 14th century, a Scottish chief received Duart Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the Sound of Mull, as part of the dowry his bride brought to the marriage. For the past 400 years, it has been regarded as the Maclean clan’s ancestral home.
It was demolished in the late 18th century and rebuilt in 1911. Admire the castle’s strategic location at the tip of a peninsula on the Isle of Mull as you explore the dungeons.
14. St. Andrew Castle
St Andrews Castle is one of the most picturesque castles in all of Scotland, much alone Fife. It is perched on a high clifftop position and is protected by both rock-cut ditches facing the interior and precipitous coastline cliffs.
James I, who attended the castle for his education, and James III, who was born there, were among the notable guests that stopped by. The 1546 siege tunnels and the “bottle dungeon,” one of the most notorious castle jails in medieval Britain, are interesting features.
15. Dunvegan Castle
Scotland is brimming with fascinating castles, from beautifully preserved medieval fortresses to romantic clifftop ruins, from turreted fairy-tale châteaus to spooky tower dwellings.
Discover the fascinating histories of these magnificent landmarks, which are steeped in legend and architectural magnificence. Discover these lesser-known Scottish treasures by venturing off the main path.
I haven’t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂