Historic Houses in Scotland

Melrose, Scottish Borders

The garden and landscape of Abbotsford are the creation of Sir Walter Scott, and were developed from scratch between 1811 and 1825. The landscape composition is outstanding in... more

Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Perth & Kinross

Blair Castle has been the ancient home and fortress of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl for over 725 years. Some 30 rooms of infinite variety display beautiful furniture, fine collections... more

Maybole, Ayrshire

Blairquhan Castle was built for Sir David Hunter Blair, 3rd Baronet in 1821-24 by William Burn. A short walk from the castle is a walled garden which was laid out in the 1800s. The... more

Bowhill, Selkirk, Scottish Borders

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... more

Brodick, Isle of Arran, Ayrshire

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... more

Brodie Castle, Brodie, Forres, Moray

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... more

12 High Street, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway

Broughton House is an 18th century town house of the Murrays of Broughton and Cally. Bought in 1901 by E A Hornel, renowned artist, and became his home and studio. The House still... more

Callendar Estate, 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... more

Sauchen, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

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... more

Mey, Thurso, Highland

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,... more

Nairn, Highland

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... more

Banchory, Aberdeenshire

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... more

Maybole, Ayrshire

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... more

South Queensferry, West Lothian

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... more

Drumoak, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

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... more

Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway

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... more

Dunrobin Castle, Golspie, Highland

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... more

Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Highland

Any visit to the Isle of Skye would be incomplete without savouring the wealth of history offered by Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and... more

Castlehill, Edinburgh, City of 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,... more

Cupar, Falkland, Fife

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... more

Roxburghe Estates Office, Kelso, Scottish Borders

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... more

Fyvie, Turriff, Aberdeenshire

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... more

7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, City of 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... more

Glamis, Angus

Glamis Castle has been the family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and a royal residence, since 1372. It was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the late Queen Mother... more

Methlick, Ellon, Aberdeenshire

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... more

Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh, Argyll & Bute

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... more

Cupar, Fife

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... more

South Queensferry, West Lothian

Hopetoun House `Scotland´s Finest Stately Home´ is situated 12 miles from the centre of Edinburgh and is a splendid example of the work of Scottish architects Sir William Bruce and... more

Montrose, Angus

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.... more

Linlithgow, West Lothian

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... more

Argyll Estates Office, Cherry Park, Inveraray, Argyll & Bute

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... more

Fairlie, Largs, Ayrshire

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... more

Pittenweem, Anstruther, Fife

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... more

Haddington, East Lothian

Lennoxlove House, dating from the 14th century and home of the Duke of Hamilton is set in 460 acres. Located in East Lothian just 20 miles east of Edinburgh, accommodation in the House... more

Duns, Scottish Borders

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... more

Gordon, Scottish Borders

Mellerstain House is a Georgian house which was begun in 1725 by William Adam and completed several years later by his son Robert, and it is the home of the Earl and Countess of... more

Isle of Bute, Argyll & Bute

Mount Stuart features magnificent Victorian Gothic architecture and design together with contemporary craftmanship. Surrounded by 300 acres of glorously maintained grounds and gardens.... more

Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian

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... more

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Scottish Borders

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... more

2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, Glasgow City

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.... more

Guestrow, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

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... more

Culross, Fife

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... more

Perth, Perth & Kinross

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,... more

Lauder, Scottish Borders

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... more

Craignure, Isle of Mull, Argyll & Bute

Torosay Castle was completed in 1858 by the eminent architect David Bryce in the Scottish baronial style. On display in the house are family portraits and antiques in an informal and... more

Innerleithen, Scottish Borders

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... more