Nothing beats the view and is as romantic as a Scottish castle on a little island in a quiet loch. Everywhere in the Highlands and other parts of Scotland these fantastic Castles can be found and often on very remote and far away places. Beginning with the early stone towers in the iron-age and the Normandic Motte-and-Bailey castles in the 12th century, the typical Scottish living-tower which were strongholds against the rivalling clans developed one century later. From the 17th century onwards, where defence was less of an issue, bigger palaces were built. A fine example is Dunrobin Castle in Perthshire.
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Edinburgh Castle ... an assemblage of buildings dating from the 12th to the 20th century. A royal residence until the Union of the Crowns in 1603. After the Union of Parliament in 1707, the Scottish regalia was walled in the Palace. The Stone of Destiny is housed here. This castle is the national symbol of Scotland.
Eilean Donan ... is probably the most photographed and visited castle in Scotland. Although the island of Eilean Donan has been a fortified site for at least 800 years, the present building largely dates from the early 20th century. Today's castle, which rose from the ruins of its predecessor, was re-built between 1912 and 1932 by Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap.
Ballindaloch Castle ... is one of the most beautiful and renowned castles in Scotland. Known as the Pearl of the North, it is located in the heart of Speyside, near to the famed whisky distilleries of Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas and Glenlivet. Surrounded by majestic hills, and with the tumbling waters of the Rivers Spey and Avon flowing through the grounds, the setting is truly magnificent.
Stirling Castle ... rising high on a rocky crag, this magnificent castle, which dominated Scottish history for centuries, now remains one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Scotland. The present buildings date from the 15th centuries and was last defended against the Jcobites in 1746. It was a military depot until 1964.
Blair Castle ... this rambling, turreted castle has been altered and extended so often in its 700-year history that it now provides a unique insight into the history and changing tastes of aristocratic life in the Highlands. Queen Victoria visited this castle in 1844. This castle maintains a private army, the Atholl Highlanders, still in existence.
Corgarff Castle ... standing forlorn on the vast expanse of the Highlands, this tower castle housed the English militia in their constant fight against the illegal distilleries and malt whisky distributors before the tax laws were changed allowing for legal distilleries.
Huntly Castle ... the ancient seat of the Gordons, is a noble ruin in a beautiful setting. It is remarkable for the splendor of its architecture and for its stirring history. It gave shelter to Robert the Bruce during the struggle with England. It witnessed the struggle between Stewart king, James II and the powerful Black Douglas family.
Inverness Castle ... located in the regions "capital" of Inverness, this Victorian building of red sandstone dominates the city skyline. Of little importance in its heyday, it now serves as a sheriff's courthouse and principal tourist attraction.
Urquhart Castle ... situated on the shore of Loch Ness, this remarkable castle dominated the water trade on the loch and the Great Glen. Urquhart Castle was built in the 1230s, seized by the English in 1296, sacked by the MacDonald Lord of the Isles in 1545 and left to fall into decay after 1689. Most of the existing buildings date from the 14th century and include the Grant Tower (16th century) the best-preserved part of the complex.
Inveraray Castle ... home of the Duke of Argyll. The senior branch of the Campbell clan moved from Loch Awe to Inveraray in the first half of the 15th century. The present building, in the style of a Castle, was built between 1745-85. On display are the famous Armoury Collection, French tapestries and fine Scottish furniture.
Kelso Abbey ... one of the "Four Border Abbeys", Kelso was founded in the 12th century by David I and was the oldest and the wealthiest. It suffered from wars with England and was severely damaged in 1545. Situated in the middle of Kelso Town, it is the focus and main attraction of the region and its ruins are well preserved.
Floors Castle ... situated on the fringe of Kelso Town and on the River Tweed, it is the home of the Duke of Roxburghe. Designed by William Adam in 1721, it was enlarged and embellished by the Edinburgh architect William Playfair, from 1837-1847. This castle houses an outstanding collection of fine art and Brussels and Gobelins tapestries.
Jedburgh Abbey ... is one of the great quartet of 12th-century Border Abbeys, along with Kelso, Dryburgh and Melrose. This Abbey church has many interesting architectural features including a rose window. Situated on a prominent rise in the town of Jedburgh it is another remarkable ruin worth visiting.
Dryburgh Abbey ... also set on the bend of the River Tweed, Dryburgh is considered the most evocative monastic ruin in Scotland. Sir Walter Scott is buried here in the North Transcept of the Church. The Cloister and Chapter House are extremely well preserved. A spiral staircase leads to the top for a dramatic view of the Sacristy.
Melrose Abbey ... the rose-pink ruins of this, one of the most beautiful of the Border Abbeys, bear testimony to the devastation of successive English invasions. Built in 1136 for Cisterian monks it was dealt a swift death in 1545 by Henry VIII. The remains are rich in decorations including a pig playing the pipes. Robert the Bruce's heart is buried here.
Traquair House ... is Scotland's oldest continuously inhabited house. It has deep roots in Scottish religious and political history stretching back over 900 years. It was a stronghold of the Catholic Stuarts. Mary, Queen of Scots, among the many monarchs, stayed here. Among the relics housed here are Jacobite artifacts.
Dunvegan Castle ... has been the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years and it remains their home. Built on a Rock once surrounded entirely by salt water, it is unique in Scotland as the only house of such antiquity to have retained its family and its roof throughout the centuries.
Ardvreck Castle ... is situated on a rocky promontory that juts into Loch Assynt. The three-storey tower was built by the MacLeods of Assynt in two phases around 1500 and 1590. In 1650, James Graham, Marquis of Montrose was imprisoned in the castle after his defeat at the Battle of Carbisdale. He was handed over to the Covenanters who took him to Edinburgh where he was hanged.
Blackness Castle ... Built in the 15th century by the Chrichton family on the Firth of Forth near Blackness village, about 4 miles from Linlithgow - follow the A803 then B903. Blackness village served the royal burgh as a sea port from as early as 1200. The castle is surrounded on three sides by water and has the appearance of a boat. It has been referred to as "the ship that never sailed".
Holyrood House ... The Palace of Holyroodhouse at the end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh was created from the original royal residence, which was a wing in the monastic guesthouse of the existing Holyrood Abbey. Holyrood House is now the official residence in Scotland of the reigning monarch.
Dunnottar Castle ... Dunnottar Castle is located close to Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, on the east coast of Scotland. Dunnottar Castle was the home of the Earls Marischal of Scotland, once one of the most powerful families in the land. The castle has a dramatic location on a hill top close to the North Sea, with high cliffs falling down on three sides of the castle.
The National Trust and Historic Scotland ... the majority of the castles and other historic buildings such as abbeys in Scotland are connected with or owned by one of these organizations, The National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland.
Both the organizations have a lot to offer especially when visiting more than one of their attractions. The National Trust offers a discovery ticket that is valid for a number of days varying from 3 to 14 days. Historic Scotland offers a explorer ticket with almost the same options. Buying such a ticket means that you can save a lot of money and enjoy even more the beauty of the Scottish Heritage.
