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Must Visit Castles in Scotland
13
items Scotland is blessed with over 2000 castles and historic ruins, steeped with rich history and stories. As a Scottish tour guide these are my top picks that you should visit on your trip to Scotland.
Sections
3
Edinburgh and Surrounding
The Highlands
Aberdeenshire
Edinburgh and Surrounding
Edinburgh is blessed with three castles, not just the iconic Edinburgh. However, if you want to venture further from the city then I would recommend Stirling Castle for a history hit.
Blackness is located on the banks of the Firth of Forth, just a few miles from Edinburgh. The Castle nicknamed the the “ship that never sailed” due to it's imposing maritime shape. If you are an Outlander fan, you'll see where they filmed the prison ...
Blackness Castle
Arguably one of the most important fortresses in all of Scotland, perched high above the town of Stirling you will get stunning views across the landscape. Stirling was where King James 6th of Scotland was brought up and where you can see the locatio...
Stirling Castle
I have taken this tour and without a doubt I would say it is worth the early start. Edinburgh Castle is iconic and for good reason, but with that come crowds of people. Did you know that on average 8000 everyday visit inside the castle? This tour pro...
Edinburgh Castle Without the Crowds Exclusive Pre Opening Tour
The Highlands
To me this iconically Scottish, a historic castle next to the loch in the highlands. Eilean Donan is a good place to stop on route to the isle of Skye over the bridge.
Eilean Donan Castle
Found in the middle of Loch Awe to visit the ruins of Kilchurn Castle, one of the most photographed sites in Scotland. Abandoned since a fire in the 1750s, the ruins are open for exploration. If you are a photographer you might be lucky to get some e...
Kilchurn Castle
Cawdor is just a few miles east of Inverness and worthy of a visit. Cawdor Castle is immortalized in literary history as the fictional home of the Thane of Cawdor in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The gardens are well manicured in the summer the flow...
Cawdor Castle and Gardens
On the banks of the famous Loch Ness, the ruined Urquhart is a true highlight on a highland visit. The visitor information centre provides the back story and history of the castle before you glimpse the castle for yourself. I would recommend pre book...
Urquhart Castle
Dunrobin Castle is the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland and located in the very north of Scotland. The style of the castle is influenced by a French Chateaux and the highly manicured gardens are beautiful.
Dunrobin Castle and Gardens
Aberdeenshire
This region has the most castles in all of Scotland, the region is perfect to explore on a road trip and it is an easy day trip from either Aberdeen or Inverness.
Situated on a rocky clifftop is the historic castle of Dunnottar, near to the small fishing town of Stonehaven. This castle has played a significant role in Scottish history, including sheltering the Scottish Crown Jewels.
Dunnottar Castle
Visit Royal Deeside, an area in the north east of Scotland that was a firm favourite with the Royal Family. Queen Victoria fell in love with the area and since then then the Royal family have made a return every year. On this tour you'll visit Balmor...
Balmoral & Royal Deeside Castle Tour
Set in the rolling hills in Aberdeenshire, the pink stoned castle of Craigievar is a fairytale castle in real life. Said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella castle, Craiegivar was home to the Forbes family for hundreds of years, now it...
Craigievar Castle
Located less than an hour from Aberdeen in the north east of Scotland is Fyvie Castle. Built in the 13th century, it has been the ancestral home of five different noble families. If you are interested in the paranormal, the castle is said to be haunt...
Fyvie Castle
Slains Castle is perched up on the cliff side overlooking the North Sea. believe it provided inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
The castle is now ruined and can be explored freely, just be careful near the steep edge.
The castle is now ruined and can be explored freely, just be careful near the steep edge.
Slains Castle Ruins