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A list of Scotland Castles to Visit with Websites,
Images, Telephone Numbers, Postcodes and links to
Maps and Reviews.
Edinburgh and Stirling Castles were the main
Scottish Castles built to withstand attacks from
English armies. Most other Castles in Scotland were
built mainly to withstand attacks by neighbouring
Clans. Disputes between Scottish Clans could last for
hundreds of years, leading to tit for tat murders of
many prominent Clan members. Sometimes, marriage was
used to end disputes, and by the 1700s, murdering a
neighbour could lead to you being hauled through the
courts and sentenced to a gruesome death.
The Union of the Crowns
in 1603 when Scotland and England had the same King,
and Acts of the Union in
1707, made Scotland a safer place, and the last
battle on the Scottish mainland was the Battle of
Cullodon Moor 16th April 1746. From this
time, Scotland Castles were replaced by Mansions, or
had Mansions built onto the side of the Castles. Some
Mansions were built to look like Castles, but had
little defence.
Most Scottish Castles charge between £8 &
£20 per adult to visit. Some offer entry to the
gardens only at reduced cost.
The RS Pages have links to Large Sunny Images.
Click on Post-Codes for Maps, Directions, Reviews,
Prices and Phone.
Large
Map showing the Castles.
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Edinburgh Castle
In
the centre of Edinburgh overlooking Princess Street and
Gardens. This is the most visited tourist attraction
in Scotland, a secure Royal residence from the 1100s
to 1633.
RS
Page . EH1 2NG
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Stirling Castle
In the centre of Stirling, a Royal Castle from the 1100s to
1603. A number of Scottish Kings and Queens have been
baptised, crowned, or died within or near the Castle.
At least one King was murdered nearby, while another
committed murder inside.
RS
Page . FK8 1EJ . Image
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National Wallace
Monument
By Stirling, completed in 1869, packed with
fascinating exhibits and displays, one of Scotlands
top attractions, where you can find information on
Scotland's national hero, William Wallace.
RS
Page . FK9 5LF . Image
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Balmoral Castle
At Crathie by Aberdeen. The foundation stone for
Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria September
28th 1853. The Castle is now used as a holiday home
by the Royals. Situated mid way between Ballater and
Braemar, 50 miles west of Aberdeen.
RS
Page . Hotels . AB35 5TB
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Blair Castle
At
Blair
Atholl in Perthshire, built from 1269, the
ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The
Castle has one of Scotland’s finest settings,
in Highland Perthshire. Situated 35 miles north of
Perth, 7 miles north of Pitlochry.
RS Page .
Hotels . PH18 5TL
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Brodick Castle
On the Island of Arran,
built from 1503 for the Hamilton's, situated above
Brodick Bay, and under Goatfell mountain, the top
visitor attraction on the Island with grand interiors
and fine gardens. Arran is probably the most scenic
Island in Scotland.
AS Page . Hotels . KA27 8HY
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Castle of Mey
6 miles
west of John
O'Groats, built for the Sinclair's from 1566, the
most northerly Castle on the British mainland that
was restored by the Queen Mother, and created the
beautiful garden seen today. The Queen Mother spent
many summers here. Phone number 01847 851 473.
Large Images
Website . Hotels . KW14 8XH
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Culzean Castle
By Maidens in Ayrshire,
built from 1777 for the Kennedy's on the site of an
earlier Castle, the National Trust for Scotland's top
visitor attraction. The Castle, Gardens, Visitor
Centre, Shops and Restaurants are open daily from
March - October.
AS Page . KA19 8LE . Image
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Dean Castle
At
Kilmarnock in
Ayrshire, built from 1350. Robert the Bruce awarded
these lands to the Boyd's who married into Royalty
when the sister of James III married a Boyd. The
local authaurities now maintain the Estate and
Castle, free tours available most days.
AS Page . KA3 1XB . Image
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Dumbarton Castle
South
side of Dumbarton Town, built
from the 1200s as a Royal Castle on the site of much
earlier Forts. Dumbarton Castle is said to have the
longest recorded history of any Fortress on the
British Isles. The Castle was built on volcanic
basalt known as Dumbarton Rock, 240 feet in
height.
RS
Page . Hotels . G82 1JJ . Image
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Dunrobin Castle
52
miles north of Inverness. Dunrobin Castle has been home to
the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland since the 1200s
with the present look added around the older
buildings between 1835 and 1850. The Castle can be
visited April to October.
RS
Page . Hotels . KW10 6SF
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Drumlanrig Castle
By
Thornhill in
Dumfriesshire. Building seen today built from 1679
for the Dukes of Buccleuch, an historic Castle with a
rich history and filled with historic arifacts. The
Estate and Gardens are one of the top visitor
attractions in South Scotland. Situated about 17
miles north of Dumfries.
RS
Page . Hotels . DG3 4AQ
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Dundonald Castle
At
Dundonald by Troon in Ayrshire.
Dundonald Castle is a fortified towerhouse built for
Robert II after becomming king of Scotland in 1371.
The Castle was used as a Royal residence by the
Stewart kings for 150 years.
AS Page . Hotels . KA2 9HD . Image
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Dunnottar Castle
By Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. Built for
Royals from the 1100s on the site of an earlier
Fortess from the 600s and Chapel from the 400s.
Dunnottar Castle is a ruined cliff top fortress,
built out on rocks, in an extremely scenic setting.
Situated about 1 mile south of Stonehaven, 15 miles
south of Aberdeen.
RS
Page . Hotels . AB39 2TL
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Eilean Donan Castle
West Highlands. Built from the 1200s on the Road to the Isle of
Skye. Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most
recognised in Scotland, but also one of the most
remote, situated on an island at the point where
three sea lochs meet. Photo by Guillaume Piolle .
RS
Page . Hotels . IV40 8DX
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Falkland Palace
In the town of Falkland 40 miles
north of Edinburgh. Once a Royal Palace of the
Scottish Stewart Kings, Falkland Palace is where
James V died in 1542, aged 30. At the time of his
death, his wife Marie de Guise was giving birth to
their daughter Mary Queen of Scots, at Linlithgow
Palace. Mary stayed at Falkland in 1563 and 1565.
RS
Page . Hotels . KY15 7BY
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Floors Castle
By Kelso in the
Borders. The impressive Floors Castle was built by
William Adam for the 1st Duke of Roxburghe in 1721.
Situated 1 mile west of Kelso.
RS Page
. Hotels . TD5 7RN
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Glamis Castle
12 miles north of Dundee. Built from the 1300s for the Lyon
family, Glamis was the childhood home of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, birthplace of
Princess Margaret and the setting for Shakespeare's
play Macbeth. Glamis Castle is situated about 12
miles north of Dundee.
RS Page
. Hotels . DD8 1RJ
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Inverness Castle
In the centre of Inverness. An 1836 Castle sitting high
above the city, recently opened for tours with great
views over Inverness. There were earlier Castles on
this site from 1057 and 1548.
RS
Page . Hotels . IIV2 3EG
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Linlithgow Palace
In Linlithgow town by Edinburgh. Built from
1424 to be used as a Royal Palace up to 1603. The
roofless remains of Linlithgow Palace are situated
between the centre of Linlithgow town and Linlithgow
Loch. Birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. In the
centre of Linlithgow 18 miles west of Edinburgh.
RS
Page . Hotels . EH49 7AL
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Rothesay Castle
On the Isle of
Bute in the ferry town of Rothesay. The historic Castle dates
back to the early 1200s with an unusual circular plan
and moat. The Castle was built by the Stewart's,
survived Norse attacks, and was a royal
residence.
RS
Page . Hotels . PA20 0DA
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Scone Palace
3 miles north of Perth centre. Building seen today built
from 1802 for David William Murray, 3rd Earl of
Mansfield, on the site of an earlier Palace and
Abbey. One of the places where Scots Kings were
crowned on a famous stone. A place of power and
mystery, home of the Stone of Scone, also known as
the Stone of Destiny.
RS Page .
Hotels . PH2 6BD
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Urquhart Castle
By
Inverness.
Built from the 1200s to 1500s as a Royal Castle and
later for Clan Grant, Urquhart Castle is one of the
most visited castles in Scotland as it is situated
next to the Loch Ness Monster Visitor Centre and boat
trips at the Village of Drumnadrochit. An impressive
ruin with interesting history. Situated 16 miles
southwest of Inverness.
RS
Page . Hotels . IV63 6XJ
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