With thousands of castles scattered throughout Scotland, each with their own chapter in this country’s great history, it’s impossible to say definitively which are best.
However, there are a few that, for us, stir the imagination more than most and even to this day evoke some of the majesty and mystery of their past. So, here’s our list of Scotland’s best castles and tips on how to enjoy them.
Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn Castle was the first castle we visited and remains one of our favourites. Its dramatic position – at the head of Loch Awe and framed by epic munros – adds to its charm. Once the family seat of the Campbells of Glenorchy in the 1400’s, it was abandoned in the 1700s.
Today, you can enjoy what’s left of the castle from multiple viewpoints, all free of charge. Walking from the main car park on the A85 will let you get up close to the ruins, while the lay-bys on the A819 allow you to admire the castle from the other side of the loch – perhaps the place you’ll see most photos of the castle today. It’s also worth stopping at the Loch Awe Hotel to admire its unique position from its terrace.
Castle Sinclair
Like Kilchurn Castle, much of the structure of this castle has been lost to time, but don’t let that stop you from visiting.
The castle itself is perched on the cliff edge and its incredible position means that it’s nearly surrounded by water on every side. For the Sinclair family who owned it, the castle was a real example of their power, and a walk around there today can still transport you back to that time.
Another free to enter site that’s a short walk from Noss Head car park, there is now a permanent bridge (replacing what was a drawbridge) to access what remains of the central fortification. Time and tide may have destroyed much of what once stood here, but this place and its many stories from the past make this a real gem in the north of the country. Make sure to check out the small beach beside the castle, flanked by cliffs, where supplies would once have arrived.
Dunrobin Castle
A little further south on the coastline from Castle Sinclair is the majestical Dunrobin Castle. Unlike the castles mentioned so far, this one doesn’t require much imagination to picture what it once might have been. That’s because so much of it is still intact and beautifully maintained.
With its fairytale spires and turrets, it is one of the largest castles in Scotland. You’ll need a ticket to access the castle, gardens and museums today, but it’s well worth the visit. Keep an eye on the falconry display times too, which take place in the gardens.
If you don’t fancy paying the entry fee, you can access the beach at edge of its grounds for free and still enjoy looking up at this fairytale castle.
Eilean Donan Castle
If there’s a castle that has continued to entice people to Scotland despite no longer being occupied, it’s this one. A regular in movies (Highlander and James Bond to name a few) its position on an island at the point where three great lochs meet means it’s easy to admire from every angle.
As this is on the road to Skye for many, it’s a place lots of people will pull in to photograph. Access to the castle itself requires a small fee, but the car park here allows you to get the postcard picture quite easily.
If you have the time, though, it’s worth also stopping to admire the castle from the Dornie Community Hall on the other side of the water.
Dunnottar Castle
Like Castle Sinclair, Dunnottar’s incredible position atop a 160-foot rock, surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, makes this one of the most dramatic castles in the country.
Its history is almost as dramatic as its position. The castle and a small garrison were able to withhold the might of Oliver Cromwell’s army for eight months here to protect the Scottish Crown Jewels.
A much smaller cost will let you take in what’s left of this impregnable fortress today, but you can still enjoy the castle and its stunning surroundings from the mainland at no cost.
Duntrune Castle
Though the name Bond might seem more familiar with this place (at least if you’ve watched Skyfall), it is in fact the Malcolm family that have occupied this castle since the 1700s.
It is a private residence, so make sure to enquire ahead for a tour. Or, you can stay in one of the cottages on site and really appreciate all of its 500-acre estate.
Edinburgh Castle
It’s impossible not to include Edinburgh castle on any list of the best castles in Scotland. The impressive fortress is at the beating heart of our home city of Edinburgh, greeting you when arriving by train, or visible from so many points around the city.
Though it’s free to enter on St. Andrews Day (you’ll need to book in advance), this is an experience worth every penny of the admission fee. Packed full of history and storytelling, the views back at the city from its walls are something that will live long in the memory.
We hope this blog post was helpful. There are so many castles to visit in Scotland so you shouldn’t stop at this list. We are still trying to visit more each year!
If you have any questions about these castles or would like any more tips, please let us know in the comments or keep following our adventures on Instagram (@TravelTwo_).
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