You’d find it difficult to visit Scotland and not be confronted with a castle (or two) when you do. That’s because there are many castles to see, pay a trip to and admire/enjoy/stare in awe at. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to our top 10 castles we think you should visit… and even better, these are all castles that feature on at least one of our tours!
Tour of Edinburgh Castle
It will likely come as no surprise that we start with Edinburgh Castle, the most popular and well-known of all the castles in Scotland (as far as we’re concerned, anyway).
Sitting atop Castle Rock, you can see Edinburgh Castle from many points as you walk through the city.
Although it is now a main attraction not only in Edinburgh but in Scotland as a whole, you may not know that some parts of Edinburgh Castle are still used in a military capacity.
There has been an active garrison since the late 1500s, and today the castle is the Headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and also houses the Regimental Museum.
A Stronghold of Kings and Queens
Edinburgh Castle has a long association with royalty, with many kings and queens having graced it with their presence. King James IV in the 16th Century, Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Margaret in the 11th Century.
Edinburgh’s oldest building, St Margaret’s Chapel, which sits within the castle walls, was named after her. Needless to say, with these Royal connections, the castle has witnessed some of the most important events in Scottish history.
The royal theme continues with the Honours of Scotland (Scotland’s Crown Jewels), which call Edinburgh Castle their home.
If you’d like a tour that includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, check out the Edinburgh, Scotland’s Capital 2-day tour from London
When is a castle not a castle?
The second castle featured here is Blackness Castle, which sits by the banks of the Firth of Forth. You may have heard of the castle being referred to as ‘the ship that never sailed’, and you only need to look at this castle to see why. It’s also been on the TV series Outlander, so if it looks a bit familiar to you, this could be why…
The Hairy Coos, Castles and Highland Views 1-day tour from Edinburgh includes a visit to this atmospheric fortress.
Home of the “Uncrowned King.”
Another castle you may have seen on television and in the movies is Doune Castle, originally built for the Regent Albany. Less ‘when is a castle not a castle?’ and more ‘when is a king not a king?’, as the Regent Albany was said to be the ‘uncrowned king’ of Scotland.
The great hall has stood the test of time. With its musicians’ gallery, double fireplace, and magnificent hammer-beam roof, it’s easy to be transported back to the 14th Century, when this castle was at its best.
Doune Castle has been featured in several television series and films, including Outlander, as Castle Leoch and Game of Thrones, as Winterfell. It even starred in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
A tour suggestion, if you want to visit - Outlander Castles and The Scottish Countryside Small Group Tour 1-day tour from Glasgow
Stirling Castle
The next castle we’ll explore is Stirling Castle. If Stirling Castle was a hit with Stewart kings and queens, then we’re sure it will be a hit with you!
The first thing you’ll notice is that it sits atop a volcanic rock… we challenge you not to spot the castle from Stirling long before you actually arrive!
This castle has changed in appearance during the years, thanks to different royal members. James IV, James V, and James VI have all made alterations to Stirling Castle over the years.
One of the most notable results of the works carried out is that of the ‘Royal Gold harling rendering’ which graces the Great Hall.
Childhood Home of Mary, Queen of Scots
The magnificent Royal Palace, built for King James V, was the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was crowned in the castle’s Chapel Royal in 1543. Her son, James VI, was baptised in the castle. He later became King James I of England after the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
If you’d like to learn more about the castle, why not read our What to see at Stirling Castle blog?
Stirling Castle is easy to visit on a tour from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. Both options also include the beautiful scenery of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in the itinerary.
Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle overlooks the deepest part of Loch Ness. It’s been there for an impressive 1000 years and was built at this important location to guard the Great Glen. It was thought to have been one of the biggest castles in the Scottish Highlands at its prime.
When it comes to ownership, this castle has changed hands from Scottish to English owners and back again during the Wars of Independence and beyond.
Visitors to the castle can learn about its turbulent history at the visitor centre and climb the Grant Tower for wonderful views of the loch from the battlements.
Our tour recommendation if you want a Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle tour: Loch Ness and the Highlands 1-day tour from Edinburgh.
Eilean Donan Castle
From one loch to another, we now turn our attention to Eilean Donan Castle. This castle actually sits at the confluence of three Scottish lochs – Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long.
A very popular Scottish tourist attraction, Eilean Donan Castle is said to have existed since the 6th Century, with its structure adapted over the years. The first fortification was built on the little island to protect the area from Viking raiders in the early 1200s.
During the Jacobite Uprisings in the 1700s, the castle was destroyed by Government forces and remained ruined for nearly 200 years. In 1911, Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island and began rebuilding Eilean Donan.
Scotland’s Most Photographed Castle
The castle has been open since 1932 and, in the nearly 100 years since the restoration work was carried out, it has welcomed visitors from all over the world and has become an iconic image of Scotland.
Due to its location, Eilean Donan Castle features on many tours to the Island of Skye, including Scenic Skye and the Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Small Group Tour. Both tours depart from Inverness.
The Jacobite Steam Train, Skye and the Highlands 4-day tour from Edinburgh and Glasgow also features the opportunity to visit the castle.
Magical Scottish Castles
Aberdeenshire is home to Dunnottar Castle, which is in turn home to the Earl Marischal family. This castle offers quite the view thanks to its position, perched atop a 160-foot rock overlooking the North Sea.
Dunnottar Castle is fairly impressive, and we aren’t the only ones to think so. It’s been featured in films, and it even convinced Disney Pixar to change the castle they had planned for Merida in Brave from a castle in the forest to a castle by the sea. That’s what happens when the magic of Disney meets the magic of Scotland!
Dunnottar Castle is a feature on the 2-day Royal Deeside, Dundee and the Northeast tour from Edinburgh.
Inveraray Castle
An equally magical castle (but for different reasons) is Inveraray Castle, a castle accurately described as ‘Gothic Revival architecture’. You only need to take one look at this castle to see what we mean. Built over some years, this castle comes complete with turrets, arches, gorgeous gardens and sits beside Loch Fyne - a fairytale castle if ever there was one. Even more impressively, the castle you see today stands despite a fire back in 1877.
Home of the Dukes of Argyll
Inveraray Castle is the seat of the Clan Campbell and is used as the home of the Duke of Argyll and his family to this very day.
Visitors are still permitted to enter certain parts of the castle, and you can expect to see armoury, pictures and tapestries and learn about the more spooky residents that call this castle their home when you visit…
Oban, Glen Coe, West Highland Lochs and Castles one-day tour from Glasgow is your best choice, if you want to explore Inveraray Castle and experience the glorious scenery of the Western Highlands.
Dunvegan Castle
We now take a virtual trip over to the Isle of Skye, where the final castle on our list is situated. Dunvegan Castle was built over hundreds of years and has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of the Clan MacLeod for over 800 years.
The Fairy Flag and Other Treasures
Dunvegan Castle really embraces the magical elements of Skye, starting with the portico entrance you are met with on arrival, followed by the castle being the home of the Fairy Flag, harking back to a Skye legend that explains what happens when human and fairy realms collide.
Another of the castle’s treasures is Sir Rory Mhor’s Horn, a massive drinking horn which, by tradition, each new Chief must drain in one go to prove themselves worthy of leading this historic clan.
The third treasure is the Dunvegan Cup, gifted to the 16th Chief in the 1590s by an Irish Chieftain in thanks for military assistance against the army of Queen Elizabeth I.
The castle overlooks Loch Dunvegan, and it’s possible to take a cruise to visit the resident seal colony.
You can visit Dunvegan Castle on the 3-day Isle of Skye Explorer Tour from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Visit Scotland’s castles with Scottish Tours.
Now that you’re familiar with some of our most famous fortresses, it’s time to plan your own Scotland adventure.
Browse our Scotland tours and book today.
Photo credits: VisitScotland and Shutterstock
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