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Castles in Scotland

BALMORAL

Queen Victoria bought Balmoral in 1852 and transformed the original castle to what it is now. Even today it is the holiday destination of the royal family. It is open to the public to visit but not in August and September. There are more rooms that are kept private than rooms you can visit.

www.balmoralcastle.com

Blair Castle 

Blair Castle is one of the most visited mansions of Great Britain. The castle is owned by the Murray family. They are descendants from the earls of Atholl. Very unique is that this family are the only citizens to have their own private army: the Atholl Highlanders. Every now and then this army is on parade on occasions like the Atholl Gathering and the Highland Games.

The oldest part of the castle is the North Western tower which dates back to 1269. The Knights’ Hall was built in the 16^th Century. There is an extensive collection of pictures everywhere in the castle.

In the garden you can consume your picnic on the grass in front of the castle. You can also walk around the grounds of the castle.

More information on Blair Atholl : Blair Castle

Cawdor Castle

A fairytale castle. The property of the counts and countesses of Cawdor. The castle has a typical Scottish tower where the family lives, with four corner towers. Only the main tower and the drawbridge date from the 13^th century. The other buildings date from the 16^th century.

It is a beautiful castle with a beautiful entranceway of which the gate is closed and will only reopen when the monarchy in Scotland is back on the throne.

These days Cawdor is also a brewery.

For more information : www.cawdorcastle.com

CRAIGIEVAR CASTLE

One could describe Craigievar Castle as an elegant and timeless castle. Craigievar can be found five miles south of Alford on the Aberdeenshire's Castle Trail, near the east coast.

Craigievar Castle was built by William Forbes in the 1620’s. It was used more as a mansion and had a walled courtyard with four round towers; only one of the round towers remains today.

The castle’s interior was luxurious with several splendid plasterwork ceilings.

The Forbes family resided here for 350 years until 1963, when the property was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland.

Walt Disney used Craigievar Castle as an example for his fiarytales and Disney stories.

Culzean Castle

This clifftop castle lies on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland. It is a yellow sandstone castle.

Originally it was a fortified area, but in the later part of the 18^th century it was rebuilt to a romantic castle. At the castle you can still find the canons that belonged to the fortified area it once was.

The castle grounds reach out to the coast. A walk through the woods leads you down along a pebble beach to the caves.

For more information : Culzean Castle

EDINBURGH CASTLE

The most important castle in a country full of castles! The castle is not just the most important construction in the capital but has always played an important role in Scottish history. Edinburgh Castle stores a lot of national treasures.

The Stone of Destiny, on which most of the early Scottish kings were crowned has been moved here since 1997, after it had been under the English throne for 700 years.

Edinburgh Castle is also the background for the Tattoo every year (www.edintattoo.co.uk)

Up to now it is still the military barracks. Just like Fort George in the Highlands you can visit it and walk around freely, which is something really unique.

www.edinburghcastle.biz

EILEAN DONAN CASTLE

Eilean Donan is the most photographed and filmed castle in Scotland.

The cause of that has certainly to do with its beautiful location on the banks of Loch Duich.

This 13^th century building was the home of the clan Macrae.

The castle was bought and restored in 1913 by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap. It is open to the public since 1928. In 1985 this castle was the décor for the film Highlander with actors Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert.

There is a big parking lot.

www.eileandonancastle.com

GLAMIS CASTLE

This 17^th century castle is well known for its literary connections : Duncan’s Hall was the décor for the murder of the king in Shakespeare’s MacBeth.

In 1900 the Queen Mum was born here and grew up here. She lived in Glamis until her marriage with Bertie, who later became King George VI.

In the castle you will find fine collections of old wapons, furniture and tapestry.

www.glamis-castle.co.uk

Scone Palace

Scone Palace is the place where the Scottish kings were crowned and where the Scottish Parliament used to gather about 1500 years ago.

Presently on view in the state rooms of Scone Palace is a large collection of porcelains.

You can also enjoy an audiovisual presentation on the history of the castle.

The maze has the shape of a star and is designed by international maze designer Adrian Fisher.

For more information : Scone Palace

STIRLING CASTLE

The least you can say about Stirling Castle is that it gives a majestic view from far away as well as nearby. Some of the most important and most decisive battles in Scottish history took place around and about this castle. These days you can visit most parts of it but it always seems to be very busy with visitors.

Direct links
 

List of castles in Scotland

Click here for Castles in Scotland, which is a link page for any castle in Scotland.

There are an estimated 3,000 castles in Scotland, ranging in size from royal residences and large military outposts with hundreds of rooms; to simple fortified farmhouses. Many of these castles are now ruins and some are known only through historical records. The list below is therefore not exhaustive.

Scotland contains many buildings which were built to look like castles, but are not usually considered to be castles. These are examples of tower houses or Scottish Baronial revival style. They should only appear in this list if the building was given the title of "castle" (e.g. Balmoral Castle).

Fictional Castles

McDuck Castle, home of Disney cartoon character Scrooge McDuck.
The Black Island, a Tintin story featuring a castle based on Lochranza Castle.
The Ghosts of Inverloch, a Valérian comic, also features a Scottish castle.
Castle Dangerous, a novel by Sir Walter Scott, drew inspiration from Douglas Castle.
Hogwarts Castle, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter novels.

Scottish castles

Source: o.a.Wikipedia

Samengesteld M.Maryns