Stories etched in stone
Scotland’s landscape is stitched with castles — the legacy of centuries of power, pride and rivalry. From cliff-top strongholds and moated fortresses to turreted palaces and ivy-draped ruins, each tells its own story of drama and endurance.
Once built for defence, these extraordinary structures now invite exploration. Whether you’re tracing battlements above a loch, wandering through medieval great halls, or admiring romantic ruins against the skyline, every region reveals its own treasures.
Here, we’ve gathered a selection of Scotland’s most captivating castles — each a window into the country’s rich and storied past, and ripe for exploration. 
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Commanding its volcanic perch high above the city, Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most visited historic landmark — a fortress, royal palace and national symbol in one. A royal stronghold since the 12th century, it has witnessed centuries of sieges, ceremonies and state secrets.
Today, visitors can explore the Great Hall, the Honours of Scotland, and the National War Museum, before stepping onto the ramparts for panoramic views across the capital. Each August, the world-famous Royal Military Tattoo fills the Esplanade with music and pageantry — an unforgettable celebration beneath the castle walls.
Nearest properties:
The Witchery | 1.5 miles, 13-minute drive
Prestonfield | 2.5 miles, 13-minute drive
Greywalls | 21 miles, 45-minute drive
Blackness Castle
Perched on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth near Linlithgow, Blackness Castle cuts a formidable figure. Built in the 15th century for the Crichton family, its ship-like shape earned it the nickname 'the ship that never sailed'.
Originally a royal fortress and later a garrison and state prison, it has withstood centuries of sieges — including Cromwell’s bombardment in 1650. Today, visitors can climb its towers for sweeping views across the Forth and its iconic bridges. Film lovers may also recognise it as Fort William from the first series of Outlander.
Nearest property: Prestonfield | 26 miles, 35-minute drive
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle
Linked forever to Mary, Queen of Scots, Craigmillar Castle is one of Scotland’s best-preserved medieval strongholds. Just four miles southeast of Edinburgh Castle, it is abundant with atmospheric corners to explore, from the Great Hall to the shadowy basement prison.
The 55-foot tower house dates to the late 14th century and features the so-called Queen Mary’s Room, where the monarch is said to have stayed.
Nearest properties:
Prestonfield | 2.4 miles, 8-minute drive
The Witchery | 3.7 miles, 15-minute drive
Cardoness Castle
Rising above Fleet Bay near Gatehouse of Fleet, Cardoness Castle is a striking six-storey tower house with commanding views across the Solway Firth. Built in the late 15th century for the McCulloch family — a clan known as much for their feuds as their influence — it was designed with defence in mind.
Its walls, eight feet thick and pierced with gun loops, speak to turbulent times – and yet much of the structure remains beautifully preserved. Climb to the battlements for one of the most rewarding coastal vistas in Galloway.
Nearest property: Knockinaam Lodge | 45.2 miles, 1-hour drive
Craignethan Castle
Set amid the rolling Clydesdale hills, around 24 miles southeast of Glasgow, Craignethan Castle dates back to 1530 and remains one of Scotland’s most fascinating early artillery fortifications. Its rare stone-vaulted gun chamber — one of only two in the country — and its imposing tower house mark it as a masterpiece of 16th-century warfare.
Once a retreat for King James V and his court, the castle combines military strength with quiet grace. A nature trail winds through the wooded glen below, offering a scenic walk to round off your visit.
Nearest property: Crossbasket Castle | 17.3 miles, 39-minute drive
Crossbasket Castle
Crossbasket Castle
A true labour of love, Crossbasket Castle has been meticulously restored to its 17th-century splendour, transforming it into one of Scotland’s most exquisite castle hotels. With the option of both castle rooms – full of historic character with grand comfort – and brand new, state-of-the-art rooms, guests can fashion their own ideal stay.
Set within landscaped grounds and overlooking a private waterfall, the castle offers peace, seclusion and world-class dining — its restaurant led by the legendary Albert Roux OBE and Michel Roux Jr.
Nearest property: You’re already here.
Culzean Castle & Country Park
Perched high above the Ayrshire coast, Culzean Castle is one of Scotland’s most beloved landmarks — an 18th-century masterpiece by Robert Adam, surrounded by woodlands, beaches and secret follies.
Once the grand playground of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassilis, its opulent design reflects a passion for spectacle and style. The castle’s vast estate blends conifer forests and formal gardens with an ice-house, glasshouses and even a swan pond. Inside, the sweeping oval staircase remains its crowning glory — a showpiece of elegance and engineering that steals the breath of every guest.
Nearest property: Glenapp Castle | 23 miles, 40-minute drive
Dumbarton Castle
Set atop a dramatic volcanic rock overlooking the River Clyde, Dumbarton Castle commands sweeping views for miles around. First fortified in the 13th century, it once stood on the frontier between Scotland and Norway, serving as a royal stronghold and a key defensive post.
Over the centuries, the castle evolved into a Georgian garrison, its bastions and batteries reflecting the changing face of warfare. Though it last saw military use during the Second World War, the castle retains its imposing presence and remarkable vantage point.
Nearest property: Crossbasket Castle | 28 miles, 55-minute drive
Brodie Castle
Home to the Brodie clan for more than four centuries, Brodie Castle is a rose-hued 16th-century masterpiece now cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Surrounded by parkland and gardens, it houses an exceptional art collection, fine furniture, and decorative ceilings that reflect generations of refinement.
Built in 1567 on land granted by Robert the Bruce, the castle blends centuries of architectural evolution, from its original tower house to later Victorian extensions. Outside, the landscaped grounds feature woodland trails and The Playful Garden, a vibrant space for families to explore.
Nearest property: Glenmorangie House | 58 miles, 1 hour 20-minute drive
Craigievar Castle
Craigievar Castle
Rising from the Aberdeenshire hills in soft pink stone, Craigievar Castle looks as though it has stepped straight from a fairy tale. Completed in 1626, its seven-storey tower and ornate turrets are among the finest examples of Scottish Baronial architecture — said to have inspired Walt Disney’s own castle design.
Inside, the castle remains almost untouched since the Victorian era, its rooms filled with portraits and heirlooms that tell the story of the Forbes family, who lived here for over 350 years. Surrounded by rolling parkland and ancient woodland trails, it’s one of Scotland’s most enchanting historic homes.
Nearest property: Douneside House | 9 miles, 15-minute drive
Crathes Castle
With its turrets, gargoyles and painted ceilings, Crathes Castle is every inch the storybook Scottish fortress.
Inside, you’ll find rare artefacts such as the Horn of Leys, gifted to the Burnett family by Robert the Bruce in 1323, and a remarkable painted ceiling dating to the castle’s earliest days. Beyond the walls, six woodland trails wind through the estate and nearby Go Ape! offers a lively diversion for families.
Nearest property: Douneside House | 21 miles, 33-minute drive
Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle
Perched dramatically on the banks of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle remains one of Scotland’s most evocative ruins. Once among the country’s largest strongholds, it played a central role in the Wars of Independence and endured centuries of conflict between rival clans and invading forces.
Though partially in ruins, its scale and setting are awe-inspiring — stone walls rising above the dark waters of Loch Ness, framed by sweeping Highland hills. It’s a place where Scotland’s turbulent past feels close enough to touch.
Nearest property: Rocpool Reserve Hotel | 17.2 miles, 32-minute drive
Castles in the Skye
Few places capture Scotland’s wild romance quite like the Isle of Skye — and its two great castles tell stories as enduring as the landscape itself.
Armadale Castle, once the seat of Clan Donald, stands amid 20,000 acres of gardens and woodland overlooking the Sound of Sleat. Though partly in ruin, its romantic façade and sweeping coastal views make it one of the island’s most atmospheric sites.
To the north lies Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and ancestral home of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years. Perched above Loch Dunvegan, it houses priceless clan treasures, including the legendary Fairy Flag — said to bring victory in battle. Its gardens, waterfalls and woodland walks add to the castle’s timeless allure.
Nearest property: Kinloch Lodge
10 miles, 17-minute drive from Armadale
47 miles, 70-minute drive from Dunvegan
Eilean Donan Castle
Set at the meeting points of Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh, Eilean Donan Castle is perhaps the most photographed castle in Scotland. Rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s on the ruins of a 13th-century stronghold, it stands as a symbol of Highland resilience and romance.
Connected to the mainland by a graceful stone bridge, the castle’s interiors showcase clan history and Highland heritage, while its ramparts offer cinematic views that have graced countless films and postcards. At sunset, when the light catches the water and stone, it’s a place of pure magic.
Nearest properties:
Kinloch Lodge | 27 miles, 40-minute drive
The Torridon | 42 miles, 1 hour 15-minute drive
Glenapp Castle
Built in the late 19th century, Glenapp Castle may be one of Scotland’s younger fortresses, but it exudes timeless grandeur. Set amid 110 acres of woodland and gardens, this baronial masterpiece was brought back to life by the McMillan family, who transformed it through a meticulous six-year restoration.
Now celebrated as one of Scotland’s finest luxury castle hotels, Glenapp Castle is a place where turrets, towers and walled gardens meet five-star comfort and impeccable service.
Nearest property: You’re already there.
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle
Rising above the historic heart of Stirling, Stirling Castle commands sweeping views across battlefields that shaped Scotland’s destiny. Long a favourite residence of kings and queens, its grand architecture and strategic setting make it one of the nation’s most magnificent fortresses.
Inside, the Great Hall — the largest of its kind ever built in Scotland — evokes the pageantry of royal banquets, while the restored royal apartments bring Renaissance splendour vividly to life. Costumed guides and living-history displays ensure the castle remains nearly as engaging today as it was in its royal prime.
Nearest property: Monachyle Mhor | 32 miles, 1-hour drive
Huntingtower Castle
Just outside Perth, Huntingtower Castle offers a rare glimpse into Scotland’s domestic life during the late Middle Ages. Once known as The Place of Ruthven, it was home to the powerful Ruthven family and later visited by Mary, Queen of Scots.
The castle’s two closely set towers — originally separate — were joined by a bridge in the 17th century, creating its distinctive twin-tower silhouette. Inside, remarkably preserved painted ceilings and wall motifs reveal Renaissance artistry seldom seen in Scotland.
Nearest property: Murrayshall Country Estate | 9 miles, 20-minute drive
Carnasserie Castle
Standing proudly above Kilmartin Glen, Carnasserie Castle may now be a ruin, but its grandeur is unmistakable – it remains an exceptional example of Renaissance-influenced Scottish tower-house design.
Though damaged during Argyll’s Rising of 1685, its five-storey tower, banqueting hall and ornate stonework still hint at the ambition and elegance of its age.
Nearest property: Crinan Hotel | 8.3 miles, 21-minute drive
Kilchurn Castle
Guarding the head of Loch Awe, Kilchurn Castle stands in one of Scotland’s most dramatic settings — framed by Highland peaks and mirrored in still water.
Though now a romantic ruin, its tower house and battlements remain remarkably intact, offering visitors a sense of the might and ambition that once defined the clan. At bright sunrise or shrouded in mist, Kilchurn is poetry set in stone.
Nearest property: Isle of Eriska Hotel | 20 miles, 34-minute drive
Working castles
While many of Scotland’s castles now stand as monuments to the past, others remain very much alive — welcoming guests with the same grandeur that once entertained royalty. These remarkable properties combine heritage and hospitality, offering the rare chance to stay within living history itself.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Crossbasket Castle
Glenapp Castle
To wander Scotland’s castles is to trace the story of a nation — one of courage, artistry and enduring beauty. Whether perfectly preserved or gloriously weathered by time, each holds a tale worth discovering.
Please check all castle opening times before embarking on your adventure.
First published 17 January 2020. Information correct at time of going to press.
