With over 3.000 historic houses and castles present throughout the Scotland, choosing which ones you absolutely must visit can be difficult. Scottish castles were built mostly for defense and often reside atop cliffs overlooking lakes and seas, making them seemingly impregnable.
These majestic stone structures today they evoke a sense of grace and peace. Let's see which are the most beautiful castles in Scotland that are definitely worth a visit.
The most beautiful castles in Scotland
Eilean Donan Castle
Absolutely a must, Eilean Donan is widely quoted as one of the most photographed monuments in all of Scotland.
The castle was partially destroyed in an uprising in early 1719, and then fell into disrepair for a couple of hundred years. Now fully restored, the castle is located in one idyllic location where the three lakes Duich, Long and Alsh meet.
The island on which this structure rests is connected to the mainland by a single stone pedestrian bridge. Located in the Highlands, Eilean Donan is considered to be one of the most romantic castles in the country and has appeared in several films, including Highlander.
Entrance: adults £ 7,00, children (5-15 years) £ 3,00, children under 5 free
- Discover the tours to visit Eilean Donan Castle
Glamis Castle
Located in Angus, Glamis Castle is a breathtaking castle that boasts ties to royalty, as it was the place where the Queen Mother spent her childhood and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. Now home to the Earls of Strathmore for over 600 years, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland, set amidst green trees and grass.
Entrance: adults £ 11,00, children (5-16 years) £ 8,00
Culzean Castle
One of the most beautiful castles in Scotland is Culzean Castle, a cliff top castle, former home of the Kennedy clan, but now owned by the National Trust. After World War II, the top floor of the castle was intended for use by General Dwight Eisenhower as a sign of appreciation of American support during the war.
The castle is located on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland and is said to house seven ghosts inside. The castle now displays furnishings from the 18th century as well one of the largest collections of swords and pistols in the world, all surrounded by a 600 acre park.
Entrance: adults £ 15,50, family £ 38,00
- Book your ticket here
Edinburgh Castle
Located in the center of the capital, perched on top of an extinct volcano, the Castle of Edinburgh dominates the city and over the centuries has served as a home for the royal family, or as a prison for American revolutionaries during the War of Independence in 1776.
The castle houses a splendid collection of medieval weapons, including William Wallace's sword but guests mainly come to see Scotland's famous crown jewels.
Entrance: adults £ 16,00, children £ 9,60
- Book your entrance ticket
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle was considered the cultural center of Scotland in the 16th century, but was also historically and strategically important, serving as the seat of residence of many of the country's kings.
The castle is huge and offers visitors a chance to see how Scottish royalty lived. You can also visit the Royal Palace e the chapel where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned in 1534. And it is in this castle that Robert Burns wrote many of his poems.
Entrance: adults £ 14,50, children £ 8,70
- Book your skip-the-line ticket
Inveraray Castle
The castle is located on the west coast of Scotland and was the home of the Dukes of Argyll For centuries. It took 43 years to build and then it was partially destroyed by fire in 1877.
Inveraray Castle has extensive gardens and a large collection of weapons and is only open from April to October. For those who have seen the series "Downton Abbey“, Episode 9 of season 3 was filmed in this magnificent castle, certainly one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland.
Entrance: adults £ 10,00, children (5-15 years) £ 7,00, children under 5 free
- Discover the tours available to visit the castle
Balmoral castle
Balmoral Castle is located on a 50.000 acre estate in Aberdeenshire. Purchased by the royal family in 1852 to be used as a residence in Scotland, the castle is also open for public visits. It generally is closed from August to October, because in this period the queen resides there.
Located inside the Cairngorms National Park, the main attraction of the castle remains its exterior; a well-kept and fairytale garden wrapped in a spectacular scenery of the Scottish plateau.
Entrance: adults £ 11,50, children (5-15 years) £ 5,00, children under 5 free
Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle is famous due to its connection with the William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth. Current home of the Duchess of Cawdor, the castle is now open to the public at various times of the year. Visitors can see its impressive interiors and have access to the historic rooms.
Entrance: adults £ 11,50, children (5-15 years) £ 7,00, children under 5 free
- Discover the tours available to visit the castle
Duart Castle
It is located on the Isle of Mull off the coast of West Scotland and dates back to the 13th century. The castle has been used several times as film location for productions such as Entrapment.
Entrance: adults £ 6,50, children (4-15 years) £ 3,25, children under 4 free
Dunottar Castle
This is one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland, much loved especially for the scenery where it stands. Located a few kilometers from Stonehaven, the castle is perched on a rocky outcrop on the edge of the cliff, 50 meters above the sea.
It is accessed by a thin strip of sloping land. The castle is ruined and relatively small, but from its location you can enjoy a beautiful landscape.
Entrance: adults £ 6,00, children (5-15 years) £ 2,00
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