From the capital city to the Highlands, Musement takes a look at nine of the most fascinating castles of Scotland.
When we think of Scotland, we immediately imagine infinite green landscapes wrapped in peace. Maybe whisky, bagpipes, medieval castles and perhaps even the country’s beautiful beaches, also come to mind. The Scottish Highlands are splashed with fairy-tale fortresses that hide legends and a halo of mystery since centuries past. As the protagonists of this territory’s history, we are going to pay homage to the castles of Scotland below.
1. Edinburgh Castle
Lifted up on a hill in the center of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Castle is city’s the main attraction and sees more than a million and a half visitors every year. Its construction dates back to the 12th century, so it isn’t surprising that the castle, one of the city’s most Instagrammable locales, has lived through a good number of interesting historical events, which happens to render the castle one of the world’s most haunted places. . In fact, it was besieged on more than twenty occasions throughout history. Today, you can still visit the oldest part of the fortress, St. Margaret’s Chapel, as well as the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Scottish National War Memorial.
2. Doune Castle
In the town of Doune, near Stirling, we find Doune Castle, a well-preserved stone fortress surrounded by a lush forest. It is such an enticing complex that it served as the filming location for scenes of Outlander and Game of Thrones in addition to other productions. During your visit to the castle, you can see the wine cellars, the Great Hall, the kitchen, the Lord’s Hall in the tower and the courtyard.
3. Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most famous because of its history and architecture. In essence, it is an impressive fortress erected on a hill; it used to serve as the royal residence, and throughout the centuries, it has been besieged eight times. Don’t miss the King’s Old Building, the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the Royal Palace.
4. Kilchurn Castle
One of Scotland’s most photogenic castles is Kilchurn Castle in Argyll. Constructed in the 15th century by the Clan Campbell, the structure is currently in ruins (only the far eastern side of the structure is preserved). The castle is open to the public during the summer, and one of its most interesting features is the view from the merlons. You will be able to see Loch Awe and the peak of Ben Cruachan.
5. Castle Campbell
Speaking of the Clan Campbell, the castle with their name is located in Dollar, in the middle of Scotland. The 15th-century structure has a four-story main tower, a courtyard and gardened terraces. Despite the fact that it was abandoned in the middle of the 17th century, Castle Campbell is currently quite well preserved.
6. Glamis Castle
The Glamis Castle, which is in the region of Angus, is mainly known for having been the residence where The Queen Mother grew up. It is surrounded by greenery, it has a lot of rooms inside, and it is one of the most mysterious fortresses in Scotland. Today, the Glamis Castle is the residence of the counts of Strathmore, and, curiously enough, the property houses a pet cemetery as a tribute to all of the four-legged friends that have accompanied the royals throughout the years.
7. Dunnottar CastleHamlet with Mel Gibson and Glenn Close.
8. Eilean Donan Castle
The Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland’s most famous, partly due to its location on an island of Loch Duich, which provides bucolic sites among the typical Scottish Highlands landscapes. The castle dates back to the 13th century, but it was destroyed during the 18th century and then reconstructed in the 20th century. This fortress has also served as the backdrop for various great films such as Braveheart, Highlander, and James Bond, The World Is Not Enough.
9. Inverness Castle
The last stop on the route through the best castles of Scotland is Inverness Castle. Made of red sandstone, the fortress is located on the shores of the River Ness and surrounded by a green landscape. Although the original castle was constructed in the 11th century, the current fortress dates back to the middle of the 19th century. It’s said this castle inspired William Shakespeare to write Macbeth.