Castles in Scotland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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