Castles · Central Scotland
Scottish castles: ten essential visits
From Edinburgh to the Highlands — ten castles that tell Scotland's story.
Scotland's castles aren't just stone and turret. They are the punctuation marks of the country's history — sieges, royal escapes, cattle raids and clan power plays. These ten span Norman motte to Hanoverian fort and tell the story between them.
Places in this guide
📷 5Castles · Central Scotland
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle — castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
📷 5Castles · Central Scotland
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle — castle in Stirling, Scotland, UK.
📷 5Castles · Scottish Highlands
Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle — castle that sits beside Loch Ness.
📷 3Castles · Scottish Highlands
Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle — castle in Highland, Scotland, UK.
📷 5Castles · Scottish Highlands
Dunnottar Castle
Dunnottar Castle — ruined castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Castles · Central Scotland
Doune Castle
Doune Castle — castle in Stirling, Scotland, UK.
📷 5Castles · North West England
Caerlaverock Castle
Caerlaverock Castle — former castle archaeological site in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK.
📷 5Castles · Central Scotland
Tantallon Castle
Tantallon Castle — mid-14th-century fortress east of North Berwick, in East Lothian, Scotland, UK.
📷 5Castles · Scottish Highlands
Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle — castle in Golspie, Sutherland, Highland, Scotland, UK.
📷 5Museums · Scottish Highlands
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle — estate house in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.