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A list of Scotland Castles to Visit
with Websites, Images, Telephone
Numbers, Postcodes and links to Maps
and Reviews.
Edinburgh and Stirling Castles were
the main Scottish Castles built to
withstand attacks from English armies.
Most other Castles in Scotland were
built mainly to withstand attacks by
neighbouring Clans. Disputes between
Scottish Clans could last for hundreds
of years, leading to tit for tat
murders of many prominent Clan members.
Sometimes, marriage was used to end
disputes, and by the 1700s, murdering a
neighbour could lead to you being
hauled through the courts and sentenced
to a gruesome death.
The Union of
the Crowns in 1603 when Scotland
and England had the same King, and
Acts of the
Union in 1707, made Scotland a
safer place, and the last battle on the
Scottish mainland was the Battle of
Cullodon Moor 16th
April 1746. From this time, Scotland
Castles were replaced by Mansions, or
had Mansions built onto the side of the
Castles. Some Mansions were built to
look like Castles, but had little
defence.
Most Scottish Castles charge between
£8 & £16 per adult to
visit. Some offer entry to the gardens
only at reduced cost.
The RS Pages have links to Large Sunny Images.
Click on Post-Codes for Maps,
Directions & Reviews.
Large Map showing the
Castles.
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Edinburgh
Castle
In the centre of
Edinburgh overlooking
Princess Street and Gardens. This is
the most visited tourist attraction in
Scotland, a secure Royal residence from
the 1100s to 1633. Phone number 0131
225 9846.
Website
. RS Page . EH1
2NG
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Stirling
Castle
In the centre of Stirling, a Royal Castle from
the 1100s to 1603. A number of Scottish
Kings and Queens have been baptised,
crowned, or died within or near the
Castle. At least one King was murdered
nearby, while another committed murder
inside. Phone 01786 450 000.
Website
. RS Page . FK8 1EJ
. Image
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National Wallace
Monument
By Stirling, completed in 1869,
packed with fascinating exhibits and
displays, one of Scotlands top
attractions, where you can find
information on Scotland's national
hero, William Wallace. Phone number
01786 472 140.
Website
. RS Page . FK9 5LF
. Image
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Balmoral
Castle
At Crathie by Aberdeen. The foundation
stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by
Queen Victoria September 28th 1853. The
Castle is now used as a holiday home by
the Royals. Situated mid way between
Ballater and Braemar, 50 miles west of
Aberdeen. Phone number 01339 742
534.
Website
. RS Page . Hotels
. AB35
5TB
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Blackness
Castle
18 miles west of Edinburgh, a 1400s fortress
with a harbour on the firth of Forth,
used by Royals to keep control of the
waters around Edinburgh and to supply
their Linlithgow Palace.
Phone number 01506 834 807.
Web .
RS Page . Hotels
. EH49
7NH
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Blair
Castle
At Blair
Atholl in Perthshire, built from
1269, the ancient seat of the Dukes and
Earls of Atholl. The Castle has one of
Scotland’s finest settings, in
Highland Perthshire. Situated 35 miles
north of Perth, 7 miles north of
Pitlochry. Phone number 01796 481
207.
Website
. RS Page . Hotels
. PH18
5TL
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Brodick
Castle
On the Island of
Arran, built from 1503 for the
Hamilton's, situated above Brodick Bay,
and under Goatfell mountain, the top
visitor attraction on the Island with
grand interiors and fine gardens. Arran
is probably the most scenic Island in
Scotland. Phone number 01770 302
202.
Web .
AS Page
. Hotels
. KA27
8HY
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Castle of
Mey
6 miles west of John
O'Groats, built for the Sinclair's
from 1566, the most northerly Castle on
the British mainland that was restored
by the Queen Mother, and created the
beautiful garden seen today. The Queen
Mother spent many summers here. Phone
number 01847 851 473. Large
Images
Website
. Hotels .
KW14
8XH
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Culzean
Castle
By Maidens
in Ayrshire, built from 1777 for the
Kennedy's on the site of an earlier
Castle, the National Trust for
Scotland's top visitor attraction. The
Castle, Gardens, Visitor Centre, Shops
and Restaurants are open daily from
March - October. Phone 01655 884
455.
Web .
AS Page
. KA19
8LE . Image
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Dean
Castle
At Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, built
from 1350. Robert the Bruce awarded
these lands to the Boyd's who married
into Royalty when the sister of James
III married a Boyd. The local
authaurities now maintain the Estate
and Castle, free tours available most
days. Phone number 01563 554 743.
Website . AS Page
. KA3 1XB
. Image
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Dumbarton
Castle
South side of
Dumbarton Town, built from
the 1200s as a Royal Castle on the site
of much earlier Forts. Dumbarton Castle
is said to have the longest recorded
history of any Fortress on the British
Isles. The Castle was built on volcanic
basalt known as Dumbarton Rock, 240
feet in height. Phone number 01389 732
167.
Website
. UDS
Page . Hotels
. G82 1JJ
. Image
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Dunrobin
Castle
52 miles north of
Inverness. Dunrobin Castle
has been home to the Earls and Dukes of
Sutherland since the 1200s with the
present look added around the older
buildings between 1835 and 1850. The
Castle can be visited April to October.
Phone number 01408 633 177.
Website . RS
Page . Hotels
. KW10
6SF
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Drumlanrig
Castle
By Thornhill in Dumfriesshire.
Building seen today built from 1679 for
the Dukes of Buccleuch, an historic
Castle with a rich history and filled
with historic arifacts. The Estate and
Gardens are one of the top visitor
attractions in South Scotland. Situated
about 17 miles north of Dumfries. Phone
number 01848 331 555.
Web . RS
Page . Hotels
. DG3
4AQ
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Dundonald
Castle
At Dundonald by
Troon
in Ayrshire. Dundonald Castle is a
fortified towerhouse built for Robert
II after becomming king of Scotland in
1371. The Castle was used as a Royal
residence by the Stewart kings for 150
years. Phone number 01563 851 489.
Web .
AS Page
. Hotels
. KA2 9HD
. Image
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Dunnottar
Castle
By Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.
Built for Royals from the 1100s on the
site of an earlier Fortess from the
600s and Chapel from the 400s.
Dunnottar Castle is a ruined cliff top
fortress, built out on rocks, in an
extremely scenic setting. Situated
about 1 mile south of Stonehaven, 15
miles south of Aberdeen. Phone number
01569 766 320.
Web .
RS Page . Hotels
. AB39
2TL
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Eilean Donan
Castle
West Highlands. Built from the 1200s on
the Road to the Isle of Skye.
Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most
recognised in Scotland, but also one of
the most remote, situated on an island
at the point where three sea lochs
meet. Tel: 01599 555 202. Photo by
Guillaume
Piolle . Image
Website . RS Page . Hotels
. IV40
8DX
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Falkland
Palace
In the town of Falkland 40 miles north of
Edinburgh. Once a Royal Palace of the
Scottish Stewart Kings, Falkland Palace
is where James V died in 1542, aged 30.
At the time of his death, his wife
Marie de Guise was giving birth to
their daughter Mary Queen of Scots, at
Linlithgow Palace. Mary stayed at
Falkland in 1563 and 1565. Phone number
01337 857 397.
Web . RS
Page . Hotels
. KY15
7BY
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Floors
Castle
By Kelso in the Borders. The
impressive Floors Castle was built by
William Adam for the 1st Duke of
Roxburghe in 1721. Situated 1 mile west
of Kelso. Phone number 01573 223 333.
Website . Hotels .
TD5
7RL
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Glamis
Castle
12 miles north of Dundee. Built from the
1300s for the Lyon family, Glamis was
the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, birthplace
of Princess Margaret and the setting
for Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Glamis
Castle is situated about 12 miles north
of Dundee. Phone number 01307 840 393.
Web . RS Page . Hotels
. DD8
1RJ
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Inverness
Castle
In the centre of Inverness. An 1836 Castle
sitting high above the city, recently
opened for tours with great views over
Inverness. There were earlier Castles
on this site from 1057 and 1548. Phone
number 01349 781 730.
Wiki
Page . Hotels
. IIV2
3EG
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Linlithgow
Palace
In Linlithgow town by Edinburgh.
Built from 1424 to be used as a Royal
Palace up to 1603. The roofless remains
of Linlithgow Palace are situated
between the centre of Linlithgow town
and Linlithgow Loch. Birthplace of Mary
Queen of Scots. In the centre of
Linlithgow 18 miles west of Edinburgh.
Phone number 01506 842 896.
Web .
RS Page . Hotels
. EH49
7AL
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Rothesay
Castle
On the Isle of Bute in the ferry
town of Rothesay. The historic Castle
dates back to the early 1200s with an
unusual circular plan and moat. The
Castle was built by the Stewart's,
survived Norse attacks, and was a royal
residence. Phone number 01700 502
691.
Web .
RS Page . Hotels .
PA20
0DA
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Scone
Palace
3 miles north of Perth centre. Building
seen today built from 1802 for David
William Murray, 3rd Earl of Mansfield,
on the site of an earlier Palace and
Abbey. One of the places where Scots
Kings were crowned on a famous stone. A
place of power and mystery, home of the
Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone
of Destiny. Phone number 01738 552
300.
Web .
RS Page . Hotels .
PH2
6BD
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Urquhart
Castle
By Inverness. Built from the
1200s to 1500s as a Royal Castle and
later for Clan Grant, Urquhart Castle
is one of the most visited castles in
Scotland as it is situated next to the
Loch Ness Monster Visitor Centre and
boat trips at the Village of
Drumnadrochit. An impressive ruin with
interesting history. Situated 16 miles
southwest of Inverness. Phone number
01456 450 551.
Web .
RS Page . Hotels
. IV63
6XJ
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