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Scotland Castles

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.

Edinburgh Castle image

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



Stirling Castle

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


National Wallace Monument

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


Balmoral Castle

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


Blackness Castle image

Blackness Castle
18 miles west of Edinburgh, a 1400s fortress with a harbour on the firth of Forth, used by Royals to keep control of the waters around Edinburgh and to supply their Linlithgow Palace.
RS Page . Hotels . EH49 7NH


Blair Castle

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


Brodick Castle

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


Castle of Mey

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


Culzean Castle

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


Dean Castle image

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


Dumbarton Castle

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


Dunrobin Castle

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


Drumlanrig Castle

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


Dundonald Castle

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


Dunnottar Castle

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


Eilean Donan Castle image

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


Falkland Palace

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


Floors Castle

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


Glamis Castle

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


Inverness Castle Image

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


Linlithgow Palace

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


Rothesay Castle image

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


Scone Palace

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


Urquhart Castle

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


For many more Castles view the Click on Maps at:

North Scotland

Highlands

Central

Edinburgh Area

Southwest

Southeast

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