The 11 best castles to visit in Scotland

Scotland is famous for its castles, attracting guests from all over the world to visit these iconic structures. The early castles in Scotland were built for defense, while later ones, from the Enlightenment onward, were designed for grandeur. This castle-building tradition continued into Queen Victoria’s reign, with her beloved Balmoral Castle. Afterwards, they were often castellated houses, but still retained traditional features like turrets and narrow windows.

Whatever the purpose for their construction, Scotland’s castles are among the most impressive in Europe. Many remain intact and in use as homes, museums, or even military garrisons, like Fort George or Edinburgh Castle. With a long history of war, Scottish castles were often built in commanding positions overlooking vast landscapes. 

In this guide we explore the best castles to visit in Scotland along with some recommendations of where to stay nearby. There will be many different architectural styles included, such as medieval fortresses and baronial estates. Some are still ancestral homes, while others are castle ruins steeped in history. There are so many beautiful castles in Scotland, it’s difficult to choose the best, but these are among the top ones to explore when visiting.

Edinburgh castle is undoubtedly the most famous castle in Scotland. With amazing views overlooking the city, it remains an active garrison with soldiers stationed in its barracks. Perched on Castle Rock, a volcanic plug believed to be 350 million years old, this royal castle has stood here since the 12th Century. 

Edinburgh Castle played a pivotal role in many conflicts, including the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th Century and the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Remarkably, it has withstood 26 sieges in its 1,100-year history.

Inside, visitors will find St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh, the Scottish Regalia (crown jewels), the National War Memorial, and the War Museum. Every August, the castle becomes the dramatic backdrop for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, part of the Edinburgh Festival. 

Since 1861, the One O’Clock Gun has been fired daily, marking time and special occasions, including the passing of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh Castle is deeply symbolic for Scots.

Anyone visiting the city should explore this iconic landmark and immerse themselves in Scottish history. For a luxury stay nearby, consider Gilmerton House or Archerfield House in East Lothian.

Probably the second most famous castle in Scotland, and like Edinburgh Castle, one of the best castles to visit in Scotland. Situated above the River Forth, it marks the transition between the Lowlands and Highlands and boasts a dramatic setting surrounded by steep cliffs. Its strategic location made it a defensive stronghold, and its buildings date largely to the 14th and 15th Centurie, with some earlier and later additions.

Many notable events occurred here: Mary Queen of Scots was crowned in 1542, and the castle endured eight sieges, the final one led by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746. Over the centuries, Stirling Castle served various roles — as a royal palace, prison, garrison, and infirmary. Visitors today can explore the Chapel Royal, Guard House, restored Great Hall with its hammer beam roof, and gardens built on a former jousting ground.

The castle also hosts open-air concerts and exhibitions, offering plenty to see and do. Said to be haunted by a ghostly Highlander, Stirling Castle makes for both a captivating and educational yet spooky visit.

Culzean Castle is a personal favourite and certainly one of the best castles to visit in Scotland. Hugging the cliffs of the Ayrshire coast and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this romantic structure was designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th Century for the Earl of Cassillis. It later became the residence of the Marquess of Ailsa, Chief of Clan Kennedy.

Its architectural highlights include a drum tower, circular saloon with sea views, an oval staircase, and ornate apartments. In 1945, the Kennedy family donated the estate to the National Trust for Scotland, on condition that the top apartment be reserved for General Dwight D. Eisenhower, recognising his WWII service. He visited in 1946 and stayed four times, including during his presidency.

The castle is steeped in intrigue, with seven ghosts (allegedly), a vast armoury housing 716 flintlocks, and fascinating artefacts such as a model ship made of bones and a bloodhound silver clock. These features earn it a spot on our list of castles in Scotland that are haunted.

Highlights of this Scottish Castle include Alexander Nasmyth’s paintings: the grand dining room, barrel organ, and camellia greenhouse. Visitors can enjoy both the interiors and gardens. For an extraordinary stay, look no further than Glenapp Castle.

Among the best castles to see in Scotland is Glamis Castle, located in the heart of fertile Angus farmland. Infamously linked to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it was also the childhood home of HM The Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret.

As you approach along the stately drive, the castle makes a lasting impression. Inside, guests can explore grand and cosier rooms – the dining room, sitting rooms, and bedrooms – still in use by the Strathmore family since 1372. The private chapel accommodates 46 guests, and the estate includes Italian gardens, a walled garden, and nature trails – there’s no wonder it’s considered Scotland’s most beautiful castle!

Glamis has a genuine family atmosphere, thanks to decades of care from Mary, Dowager Countess of Strathmore & Kinghorne, a revered figure in Scottish life. Spiralling stone staircases, dungeons, and castle turrets delight visitors young and old. After exploring, enjoy the gift shop and cafe. A wonderful base nearby is Birkhill Castle, just a 45-minute drive away in Fife.

Travelling north on the A9, make a stop at Blair Castle, just six miles from Pitlochry. Built in 1269, the estate passed through the hands of Robert the Bruce, the Earl of Atholl, and the Murray family. After being seized by Cromwell, it was restored to the Murrays by Charles II, and the first Duke of Atholl was granted the title in 1703.

Blair Castle played a key role during the Jacobite Uprisings. Later, in 1844, Queen Victoria authorised the formation of the Atholl Highlanders, Europe’s only legal private army. The castle features opulent 18th-century interiors, including four-poster beds, decorative ceilings, an extensive armoury, and ancestral portraits.

With 30 rooms, it’s been home to soldiers, entrepreneurs, aristocrats, and politicians. The estate encompasses 145,000 acres of Highland countryside offering fishing, stag stalking, beaver tours, and Highland pony picnics. For the sheer volume of activities to be done alone, it easily makes it to the list of the best castles to visit in Scotland.

A nearby luxury stay is Auchterarder House, a Scottish baronial gem perfectly placed for exploring historic Perthshire.

This pink castle is said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, so both kids and nostalgic adults will want this to be at their top of their list of castles in Scotland to see. 

Craigievar Castle has an impressive collection of armour, weapons, furniture, and paintings, including portraits by Henry Raeburn – an important Scottish artist. Built in 1576, this Scottish baronial tower house is fantastically well-preserved and one of the coolest castles in Scotland. Its exterior is the same as the one built by William Forbes in 1626, and it remained a family home until the Forbes family gave it to the National Trust for Scotland in 1963.

Located in the Grampian Mountains, Craigievar Castle boasts finely sculpted turrets, plenty of gargoyles, and high corbelling work that all add to its fairytale appearance. Designed in the L-shape, Craigievar Castle also has beautifully crafted plasterwork ceilings featuring figures of the nine worthies and other family emblems. 

Similar small castles that are also well worth a visit include Crathes Castle, Castle Fraser, Birse Castle, Corgarff Castle, Fyvie Castle, and Leslie Castle. Many of these castles are located in the area of Royal Deeside and were owned by grand families keen to be near to Queen Victoria, who resided close by at Balmoral Castle – the Highland home of the Royal Family.

Dunrobin Castle is one of the most northerly Scottish castles, with the longest connection to the same family, the Dukes of Sutherland. The castle, which has the look of a French chateau, came under the influence of both Sir Charles Barry, who designed London’s Houses of Parliament, and the Scottish architect, Sir Robert Lorimer. It was used as a naval hospital in WWI and as a school for a while, but since 1972 it has once again been a family home.

Dunrobin Castle has a magnificent setting perched high above the North Sea, with walled gardens below. High above both the castle and Golspie is the Sutherland monument on top of Ben Bhraggie, where the 1st Duke of Sutherland looks down over his former home and the heather hills. Sutherland is an incredibly beautiful area in the far north of Scotland, with amazing mountains, moors, and beaches. 

Originally a fort built in 1235, Dunrobin Castle had later additions added to it from the 16th century onwards. Barry changed it from a fort to a house in the Baronial style in 1845. Dunrobin Castle also has an important collection of Pictish symbol stones and cross slabs and remains the spiritual and actual home of Clan Sutherland. The castle and grounds of Dunrobin are a wonderful place to visit an hour north of Inverness on your way up to the top of Scotland.

The title ‘Thane of Cawdor’ dates back to the 11th century. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth was Thane of Cawdor before defeating King Duncan in 1040. The Cawdor family began construction of their castle in 1375, with the central keep being completed around 1396. 

Further fortifications were added in the following century, with additions in the 17th century built in the classic Scottish baronial style. Cawdor Castle also offers a glimpse into 3,000 years of history, as close by are the stones and cairns of Clava which date from 1500 BC.

Visitors to the castle can enjoy seeing the 12 principal rooms, filled with rare tapestries, paintings, and ceramics collected by 23 generations of the family. James Johnson, Samuel Boswell, and Robert Burns have all visited the castle and admired its elegance. The castle also has both walled and formal gardens, which are incredibly beautiful and have been stylishly updated by Isabella Cawdor – the current owner’s wife – who, along with Stella Tennant, did much to revive Burberry. 

The estate is one of the biggest in the north and has extensive farmland, moors, forestry, and fishing for guests to enjoy. A short drive from Inverness, Cawdor Castle is one of the best castles to visit in Scotland.

Featured on television in the four-part show about the scandalous Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, and also seen a few years ago on Downton Abbey, Inveraray Castle is one of the best castles to see in Scotland. It’s also the home of the Dukes of Argyll and the Campbell family, who were often at war with other clans in this part of Scotland. 

Located by the shores of Loch Fyne since the 1400s, the current castle was inspired by Vanbrugh, the famous architect who built Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. Construction started in 1746 by architects Roger Morris and William Adam, taking 43 years to build.

Inveraray Castle has magnificent interiors typical of a Ducal home and, like others, boasts a large collection of armour and family portraits. It’s surrounded by a 60,000-acre estate, with the grounds and 16 acres of gardens beautifully laid out. 

The castle is extremely busy in the summer months and very much open to the public, so it is best visited slightly out of season for a more atmospheric experience. The local town of Inveraray is attractive and sits right by the loch, being a popular stop-off point for visitors heading to or from the west coast.

One of the great homes of the Dukes of Buccleuch – which also includes Bowhill, Dalkeith Palace, and Broughton – Drumlanrig Castle’s rich history is further enhanced as it’s also home to some of the jewels of the Buccleuch Collection. This collection is recognized as one of the most important ones in the country, as it was created over 500 years ago by the Montagu, Douglas, and Scott families, who were all forebears of the Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry. 

The collection has an amazing span, but most famous is Rembrandt’s ‘An Old Woman Reading’. There are also family portraits by artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Alan Ramsay, and Sir Joshua Reynolds, landscapes by Paul Sandby, and the Dutch Masters and cartoons by Rowlandson.

Drumlanrig Castle is also renowned for its furniture and silver. Two great cabinets by the 17th-century French Master, Andre Charles Boulle, bring the spirit of Louis XIV to the grand drawing room, along with tapestry, precious fabrics, and porcelain. They’re all laid out within this fabulous family home, which sits in a very romantic location in the southwest of Scotland, surrounded by moorland. 

Peacocks wake those staying in the castle, and the splendors of Drumlanrig are hard to overstate. The Buccleuch family are the largest landowners in Europe, and this castle is also surrounded by many acres. This part of Scotland is less visited than further north but is well worth the trip, especially if you are driving up from England.

Located in the Scottish Borders, which is in the southeast corner of the country, Floors Castle is home to the Dukes of Roxburghe and certainly one of the best castles to visit in Scotland. The castle overlooks the famous River Tweed and is just outside the pretty market town of Kelso. 

Surrounded by parkland and sitting well back from the river, the castle was designed by William Adam and inspired by Vanbrugh, of Blenheim Palace fame, and built in 1721. Much admired by Sir Walter Scott, who lived close by at Abbotsford, the castle had later additions by the Edinburgh architect William Playfair, who gave the building its rather ‘fussy’ look popular at the time with owners seeking the fairytale appearance.

In the early part of the 20th century, the 8th Duke’s marriage to May Goelet, a beautiful young American meatpacking heiress, brought to Floors Castle her outstanding collection of fine art, furniture, and porcelain. Several of the rooms were altered in the 1930s, including the Drawing Room and Ballroom, which were refitted to display the set of Brussels and Gobelins tapestries. 

Beyond the castle is an excellent garden centre, cafe, and gift shop, all filled with Floors Castle produce, including delicious marmalade and sticky toffee pudding. For visitors exploring the south of Scotland, this is a great place to stop off, and the charming market town of Kelso, with its cobbled streets, is well worth a visit too. Floors Castle is undoubtedly one of the most famous castles in Scotland and should be added to everyone’s itinerary.

If you want to live like a royal for little while, we can arrange for you to stay in some of these wonderful Scottish castles, as well as several others. Simply get in touch with us today, and we can start planning your Scottish getaway.