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Historic Houses in Scotland

Historic Houses in Scotland, such as Dunvegan Castle & Gardens and Falkland Palace are listed below. The regions of Scotland have through the centuries maintained their differences, the Highlanders, largely Gaelic speaking were mobile cattle farmers, while the Lowlanders, English speaking, were firmly planted arable farmers. The Lowlands is the most densely populated region, an area of impressive castles, palaces, medieval burghs and by the two impressive cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Highlands are characterised by the mountainous scenery, beautiful coastlines and a myriad of interesting islands.

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Total of 45, showing 1–45

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

Dunvegan, Isle of Skye

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens: Any visit to the Isle of Skye is incomplete without savouring the wealth of history and clan legend at Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and ancestral home to the Chiefs of Clan... more

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Falkland Palace

Cupar, Falkland

The Royal Palace of Falkland, the country residence of Stuart kings and queens, was built between 1450 and 1541. Part of the palace was burned down by Cromwell´s troops in 1654. The palace contains fine portraits of the Stuart monarchs and two sets... more

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Fyvie Castle

Fyvie, Turriff

Fyvie Castle was once a royal stronghold, one of a chain of fortresses throughout medieval Scotland. The five towers are traditionally associated with the five successive families that lived there. The oldest part dates from the 13th century, and an... more

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Hill of Tarvit Mansion House

Cupar

Hill of Tarvit Mansion House, originally the site of the 17th century Wemyss Hall, was completely remodelled by Robert Lorimer for Frederick Sharp, in 1906. All the rooms have been designed in a certain style, with matching furniture and paintings.... more

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The Georgian House

7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

The Georgian House is part of Robert Adam´s masterpiece of urban design, Charlotte Square. It dates from 1796, when those who could afford it began to escape the cramped, squalid conditions of Edinburgh´s Old Town to settle in the fashionable New... more

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Culzean Castle & Country Park

Maybole

Culzean Castle, converted by Robert Adam from a fortified tower house into an elegant residence for David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis, between 1777 and 1792. It is on a cliff overlooking the estuary of the river Clyde. An exhibition shows the... more

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Glamis Castle

Glamis

Drive along the mile-long avenue of trees on the Glamis Castle estate and you’ll spot the brooding turrets of this royal residence peeping through the foliage. The castle is the home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and has been a royal... more

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Drumlanrig Castle, Gardens & Country Park

Thornhill

Drumlanrig Castle, the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry KT, was built between 1679 and 1691 by William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry. Local pink sandstone was used in its construction and it is built around a courtyard... more

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Pollok House

2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow

Pollok House is set in the grounds of Pollok Park, home to the Maxwell family for over 600 years. The present house, (c.1750) replaced three earlier structures and was extended in 1890. The house contains an internationally important collection of... more

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Broughton House & Garden

12 High Street, Kirkcudbright

Even without having a specific destination in mind when you get there, going to long time artists' haven Kirkcudbright is a pleasure in itself. But add to your itinerary a visit to 18th century Broughton House, former home of Glasgow Boy E A Hornel,... more

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Crathes Castle

Banchory

Crathes Castle, built in the 16th century, is an excellent example of an L-tower house of the period with four stories and an attic. King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323. The ancient Horn of Leys was presented... more

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Hopetoun House

South Queensferry

Sometimes, when the weather’s crisp and bright and clear, there’s nothing more comfortingly British than to pull on your boots, wrap up warm and head out for a cheek-reddening walk around a country estate. And there can’t be many places to beat... more

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Inveraray Castle & Garden

Argyll Estates Office, Cherry Park, Inveraray

Inveraray Castle was erected between 1745 and 1785 to replace an earlier traditional fortified keep. It was designed by Roger Morris and decorated by Robert Mylne. On display are the famous Armoury Collection, French Tapestries that were made... more

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Royal Burgh of Culross

Culross

Culross Palace was built for Sir George Bruce between 1597 and 1611 and has original interiors with painted woodwork. On display are 17th and 18th century furniture, decorative items and a fine collection of Staffordshire and Scottish pottery. The... more

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Cawdor Castle

Nairn

Cawdor Castle, the most romantic Castle in the Highlands, has a magical name linked with Macbeth by Shakespeare. It was built in the 14th century as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor and is still the Cawdor family home today. The medieval... more

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Edinburgh Castle

Castlehill, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle is famous worldwide as an icon of Scotland. Once the home of kings and queens it is now the country´s premier visitor attraction. It boasts a magnificent Great Hall, with an ornate ceiling and fine collection of weapons, plus... more

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Kellie Castle

Pittenweem, Anstruther

The first records of Kellie Castle date back to the 12th century, and it was restored by James Lorimer in the late 19th century. It is a very fine example of Scottish domestic architecture with its gables, towers and chimneys. Among the contents are... more

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House of Dun & Montrose Basin Nature Reserve

Montrose

House of Dun is a Georgian house, overlooking the Montrose Basin, designed and built by William Adam in 1730 for David Erskine, Lord Dun. The superb plasterwork is by Joseph Enzer. Inside are collections of family portraits, 18th and 19th century... more

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Dalmeny House

South Queensferry

Dalmeny House, one of the first Tudor-revival houses to be built in Scotland, has been the family home of the Earls of Rosebury for over 300 years. It houses part of the Rothschild collection of 18th century French furniture, Goya tapestries,... more

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Castle Fraser

Sauchen, Inverurie

Castle Fraser, the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland, was built between 1575 and 1636 by the 6th laird, Michael Fraser. One of the towers is seven stories high. The castle contains many Fraser family portraits, including one by Raeburn, and... more

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Mount Stuart

Isle of Bute

For a rewarding day out, enjoy the sumptuous surroundings at Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute. One of the finest Visitor Attractions on the West Coast and with an interior that has been described as jaw-droppingly spectacular, Mount Stuart is the... more

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Kelburn Castle

Fairlie, Largs

Kelburn Castle is the home of the Earls of Glasgow, probably the oldest castle in Scotland to have been continuously inhabited by the same family. The Boyle family, originally de Boyville, came from Normandy with William the Conqueror and settled at... more

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Manderston

Duns

Originally built in 1790s, Manderston was completely rebuilt in the early 1900s by John Kinross, for Sir James Miller. No expense was spared and no detail overlooked. The furniture is French in style and the kitchens have every modern convenience of... more

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Blair Castle

Blair Atholl, Pitlochry

Take a trip out to the village of Blair Atholl in the Perthshire countryside to see Blair Castle, a wonderful Scots baronial style building (styled as such in 1870) built mainly in the 15th century. The castle, home to the earls and dukes of Atholl... more

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House of the Binns

Linlithgow

The House of the Binns is the historic home of the Dalyells family, among them General Tam Dalyell who raised the Royal Scots Greys here in 1681. Four of the main rooms have important moulded ceilings, some of the earliest examples in Scotland. The... more

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The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust

Mey, Thurso

The Castle of Mey, built in the 1560s, was bought by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1952. So began The Queen Mother´s love affair with The Castle & Gardens of Mey, restoring the castle and creating the beautiful gardens that can be... more

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Callendar House

Callendar Park, Falkirk

Situated amidst magnificent park and woodland,Callendar House tells stories spanning 600 years of Scottish history. Through wars, rebellions and the industrial revolution, the house has played host to many great historical figures over the... more

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Lennoxlove

Haddington

Dating from the 14th century and home of the Duke of Hamilton, Lennoxlove House is set in 460 acres. Located in East Lothian just 20 miles east of Edinburgh, accommodation in the house is available on an exclusive use basis up to 22 guests. The house... more

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Newhailes

Newhailes Road, Musselburgh

Newhailes is a fine late 17th century house with impressive 18th century additions. The house was built in 1686 and bought by Sir David Dalrymple, of the legal and political dynasty. He was responsible for the addition of one of the most important... more

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Floors Castle

Roxburghe Estates Office, Kelso

Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Scotland, is home to the Duke of Roxburghe. Designed and built by William Adam, it was begun in 1721 and transformed by Playfair in 1849 by adding domes and spires. The interiors are filled with... more

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Brodie Castle

Brodie Castle, Brodie, Forres

Brodie Castle is a fine 16th century Z-plan tower house set in peaceful parkland, was the home of the Brodie family until the late 20th century. Additions were made to the building in the 17th and 19th centuries. It contains fine French furniture,... more

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Mellerstain House & Gardens

Gordon

Mellerstain House, one of Scotland's finest stately homes and family residence of the 13th Earl of Haddington ,is a unique example of William and Robert Adam design. With stunning interiors throughout, Mellerstain holds a treasure of paintings,... more

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Blairquhan Castle

Straiton, Maybole

You may recognise Scotland’s Blairquhan Castle in Maybole, Ayshire, if you’ve ever seen The Queen, Helen Mirren’s masterful portrayal of Elizabeth II. It was here that the actress wandered the stunning secluded grounds, the gorgeous Regency... more

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Scone Palace

Perth

Built on the site of an ancient abbey, Scone Palace is now the family home of the Earls of Mansfield. It was the centre of the ancient Celtic Church and the crowning place of kings, including Robert the Bruce and Charles II, and houses a magnificent... more

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Brodick Castle

Brodick, Isle of Arran

Brodick Castle, the site of this ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton which was a fortress even in Viking times. The 13th century fortified tower was developed in the 16th century and extended by Cromwell in the 17th century. The entrance hall and... more

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Thirlestane Castle

Lauder

Thirlestane Castle is one of the oldest and finest castles in Scotland and holds a uniquely important place in Scottish History. The castle has its origins in the 13th century. It was rebuilt as the Maitland family home in 1590 and greatly enhanced... more

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Drum Castle

Drumoak, Banchory

The keep at Drum Castle is one of the three oldest tower houses surviving in Scotland. The original house was enlarged with the creation of a very fine Jacobean mansion in 1619 and a later addition during the reign of Queen Victoria. The castle was... more

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The Hill House

Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh

The Hill House is one of the finest of Charles Rennie Mackintosh´s domestic creations, sitting high above the Clyde commanding fine views of the river estuary. It was commissioned in 1902 by Walter Blackie, who wanted an individual house and garden.... more

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Bowhill House & Country Estate

Bowhill, Selkirk

Bowhill House is the Scottish Borders home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, dating from 1812, set in magnificent scenery. Outstanding collections of art, silverware, porcelain and French furniture. Historic relics include Monmouth´s saddle and... more

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Dunrobin Castle & Museum

Dunrobin Castle, Golspie

Dating from the 13th century, Dunrobin is the most northerly and largest of Scottish houses, with 189 rooms. It has been continuously lived in since the early 1300s. The house was designed by Sir Charles Barry, who also built The Houses of... more

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Paxton House, Gallery and Country Park

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Paxton House is one of the finest 18th century Palladian country houses in Britain, built to the design of John Adam with a Regency extension by Robert Reid. The twelve period rooms feature Adam interiors, a fine collection of Chippendale and Trotter... more

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Provost Skene´s House

Guestrow, Aberdeen

Dating from 1545, Provost Skene´s House now houses an attractive series of period room settings, recalling the elegant furnishings of earlier times. Visitors can see an intriguing series of religious paintings in the Painted Gallery, changing... more

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Traquair House

Innerleithen

Traquair House, originally a castle owned by the Kings of Scotland, later became the home of the Earls of Traquair whose descendants still live there. It is where Alexander I signed a charter over 800 years ago, and the `modern wings´ were completed... more

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Abbotsford

Melrose

Abbotsford in the Scottish borders is the dramatic creation of Sir Walter Scott and from the deeply impressive baronial grand entrance hall to the glorious formal gardens, it’s a work of fabulous fantasy. Stroll through the armoury stacked with... more

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Haddo House

Methlick, Ellon

Haddo House was designed by William Adam for the 2nd Earl of Aberdeen in 1732, but refurbished in the 1880s. The House elegantly blends crisp Georgian architecture with sumptuous late Victorian interiors by Wright and Mansfield. On display is a... more

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Total of 45, showing 1–45

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