Discover the best castles in Scotland

A turbulent history combined with wild highlands and windswept old battlefields ensure that a trip to Scotland is bursting with character, intrigue and romance. Dotted across the country’s stunning landscapes and in its bustling cities, you will find some incredible castles standing proudly on the skyline. If you are interested in exploring more historical sites in the UK, we have listed our picks for the best castles in Scotland to help you plan your next adventure.

Edinburgh Castle

Perched high about the capital city, Edinburgh Castle is without a doubt the most popular and most visited castle in all of Scotland. The castle’s complex history encapsulates Scotland’s royal and war torn history. It’s oldest feature, St. Margaret’s Chapel , was first built in the 12th century. Over the years, the castle has been used for a variety of purposes, including the home of royalty, an army headquarters and an ancient stronghold. As a truly family-friendly attraction, the castle has won the top UK Heritage Attraction Award for two years running. Visitors can weave their way through the castle’s 12 areas to discover its rich history in full. Audio tours are available alongside a gift shop, events, children’s quizzes and an exhibition of the Crown Jewels. To see the castle in all its glory, adults will need to pay £16, children’s tickets cost £9.60, while under 5s go free.

Eilean Donan

The island dwelling Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in the whole UK. Situated in the western Highlands near the village of Dornie, the castle boasts panoramic views of rolling wild hills and three sea lochs. Although the land was first inhabited in the 6th century, the castle itself wasn’t built until the 13th century in order to stand guard against enemy lines. Over the years, Eilean Donan has been rebuilt and repaired. Today, the castle is fully equipped to cater to the large number of tourists who can enjoy viewing everything from its dining rooms to its bedrooms and hallways. For a more detailed history of the castle, you can book a guided bus tour up to the castle or visit the information center whilst there. For the small price of £6.50, adults can fully explore this beautiful building while children under 5 go free.

Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle, situated beside the village of Glamis in south east Scotland, is home to the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Since the 14th century, the castle has been the home to various royals including Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Many tourists flock here each year to explore the castle’s many rooms and superb listed gardens. Glamis’ last renovation was made by the Queen Mother’s parents in 1910 with the creation of its Italian Garden. While the picturesque castle is beautiful to the eye, Glamis has a reputation of having a slightly darker side with many grisly tales of witches, ghouls and ghostly occurrences. Old wives tales aside, Glamis has an array of annual events for all ages including Highland Games and an Easter Day Out. For full ticket listings, head to the official Glamis website. Campers will be glad to know that Glamis Castle has a wider variety of campsites available in the nearby towns of Forfar and Kirriemuir.

Stirling Castle

Its size and historical importance makes Stirling Castle (pictured above) a must-see attraction whilst on holiday in Scotland. Positioned on top of Castle Hill, Stirling’s steep cliffs were once a strong defence against invaders. Similar to Edinburgh Castle, the castle had a varied past and was once the centre of art, celebrity and culture during 16th century Scotland. Many Scottish Kings and Queens were crowned within its walls, including Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542. Due to its historical significance, the castle is now recognised as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and therefore must be left unchanged. Thanks to the team at Stirling, the castle has remained a hive of activity for families to enjoy with guided tours, educational visits and annual events. Campers can enjoy staying at a campsite in Stirling or around Dunblane and Dollar.

With so many dramatic landscapes to explore and amazing history to uncover, we’re sure you will enjoy the Highlands as much as we do. We wish there was time to explore all of the castles in the country, but we hope the recommendations we listed here will help you make the most of your trip to Scotland.