Scotland is a land of many breathtaking castles, and with so many to choose from it can be difficult to narrow down which ones are worth visiting.
So what are the unmissable castles on your Scottish vacation? Read our curated list of our favourite castles in Scotland that you need to check out on your next visit, along with why they’ve made it onto our shortlist. All are easily accessible from the Celtic Routes Signature North Coast 500 route which starts and ends in Edinburgh. If you’re looking for a shorter adventure that still captures the essence of Scotland’s castle heritage, our Scotland Short Escape offers the perfect introduction to the country’s most iconic sites.
1. edinburgh castle – the most visited castle in scotland
Undoubtedly one of the country’s most iconic castles, Edinburgh Castle stands atop an extinct volcano and has been standing proud since the 12th century Iron Age. It has been central to countless key moments in Scotland’s history, from the Wars of Independence to the Jacobite Uprising. It serves as the backdrop for the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo and is said to be the UK’s second most-visited attraction.
From its grand walls and towers, you can take in breathtaking views across Scotland’s capital city — plus there’s plenty more to explore within Edinburgh Castle itself such as ancient dungeons, a WW2 fortress and even its royal palace! Make a day of it by combining the castle with an Edinburgh walking tour and a stay at the Hotel du Vin Edinburgh.
2. eilean donan castle – the most photographed castle in the world
This stunning 13th-century castle is situated on an island, at the entrance of Loch Duich, near Kyle of Lochalsh and makes for the perfect backdrop if you’re looking for some incredible photography opportunities. Eilean Donan Castle has to be one of the most photographed castles in the world. A stronghold of Clan Mackenzie, it is steeped in Jacobite lore.
Get up close to explore its intricate carvings and climb atop its turrets whilst taking in breathtaking sea views. Among the rare artefacts on display is a sword said to have been wielded at Culloden. The castle has been featured in many Hollywood films, including Highlander, James Bond’s The World is Not Enough, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Eilean Donan sits at the gateway to Skye, so you can combine your visit with a stay at the Hotel Eilean Iarmain or Duisdale House Hotel as part of a Scottish Highlands and Skye tour. If photography is your thing, consider adding a North Coast 500 photography workshop to your itinerary.
Stirling Castle – VisitScotland
3. stirling castle – the keystone in the scottish crown
Meticulously restored to its original Renaissance glory, Stirling Castle was the favoured residence of the Stewart kings and queens. Sitting strategically on Castle Hill, part of a 350 million-year-old rock formation, the castle has seen at least eight sieges and played witness to some incredibly important events in Scottish history over the centuries – including an unsuccessful one by Bonnie Prince Charlie – no wonder why it was considered ‘the keystone in Scotland’s crown’.
The castle also offers spectacular views across Stirlingshire including the often snow-covered mountains Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich. Take a guided tour through its numerous chambers and salons, all while exploring some truly fascinating stories behind this historic monument.
Inverary Castle
4. inveraray castle – the fairytale castle
Inveraray Castle is the fairytale home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, located in the west of Scotland, on the shores of Loch Fyne. Originally built in 1533, the austere façade of Inveraray Castle stands in direct contrast to its sumptuous interior which embodies the pinnacle of 18th century neoclassical elegance. Today it is considered as a striking and classic example of Gothic Revival architecture.
Set in beautiful gardens, it starred in the 2012 Christmas episode of Downton Abbey as the fictional Duneagle Castle. Admire the priceless Beauvais tapestries in the Drawing Room and outstanding views of Loch Fyne, before enjoying traditional afternoon tea in the Castle tea room run by the Duchess herself. The Isle of Eriska is a stunning place to stay when exploring Argyll’s castles and coastline.
5. doune castle – the movie star castle
Located just beyond Stirling, Doune Castle was built in the 13th Century and is one of the most complete Medieval castles you will find in Scotland. Home of Regent Albany, “Scotland’s uncrowned king”, it is a labyrinth of – largely empty – rooms connected by spiral staircases and narrow doorways, presenting wonderful opportunities for kids to play “Hide and Seek”.
In our opinion, this is one of the best castles to visit as a family as there are so many rooms to explore and it is full of surprises. This stronghold’s imposing and austere exterior has made it a popular filming location, and Doune Castle has featured in Game of Thrones as Winterfell, in Outlander as Castle Leoch, and in various scenes in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It’s a must for fans of movie destination holidays.
6. dunrobin castle – the largest in the highlands
Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. It is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. Resembling a French chateau, with ‘fairytale’ spires and turrets, the castle dates back to the early 14th Century.
Equally magnificent are the gardens which were laid out by the architect Sir Charles Barry in 1850 and intended to complement the dramatic extension of the castle. Many Scottish castles evolved as their primary purpose shifted from defence to comfort and display, and Dunrobin followed this trend. A series of extensions wrap around the original keep, completely concealing it from exterior view. During the summer months, you can also enjoy falconry and there could be no more fitting backdrop to an airborne golden eagle than the towering facade of Dunrobin Castle. Stay nearby at Dornoch Castle or the Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch to explore the Sutherland coast at your leisure.
Blair Castle
7. blair castle – the one housing a private army
Blair Castle is the ancestral home of Clan Murray and the seat of the Duke of Atholl. Found in the village of Blair Atholl in Perthshire, it stands proudly against a backdrop of wooded hills rising above the River Garry, this striking white castle has witnessed the Cromwell invasion, and Jacobite Uprising, and was visited by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Now its nine acres of gardens are popular with the public, with a woodland grove, ruined kirk, and peacocks roaming freely. Most remarkably, it is also the home of Europe’s last remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Explore its opulent rooms and its sprawling estate before visiting the nearby Highland distillery, Blair Atholl. The Dunkeld House Hotel in nearby Perthshire is the ideal base for exploring both Blair Castle and the surrounding countryside, particularly on a Heritage Scotland tour.
8. inverness castle – the spirit of the highlands
Inverness Castle, the Spirit of the Highlands, overlooks the city from the highest point above the River Ness. Today’s 19th-century castle of red sandstone was built on the cliff-top site of an 11th-century fortification where there has been a succession of castles for many centuries. You visit Inverness Castle for the history and the central role it’s played in so many historic events.
It is a site associated with intrigue, power struggles, murder, battles, imprisonment and betrayal through the ages. Legend has it, that at the turn of the 11th century, Macbeth of Scotland murdered Máel Coluim’s father, Donnchad I of Scotland. This ancient tale was later dramatised by Shakespeare in one of his most famous tragedies “Macbeth”. Some 400 years later, in 1428, James 1 summoned fifty Highland clan chiefs to a “parley” before double-crossing them, having them all arrested and imprisoned, and several were executed on the spot.
A later castle completed in the mid-16th century was taken by the Munro and Fraser clans for Mary Queen of Scots during the Siege of Inverness in 1562. She later hanged the Governor, Gordon, who had refused her entry.
Inverness is the starting and finishing point for the NC500 Classic and makes for a rewarding first or last stop. The Lovat nearby offers a luxury Highland retreat to bookend your castle tour.
No vacation in Scotland is complete without visiting at least one castle, but we encourage you to find time to visit a few. Scotland’s castles are steeped in history and offer visitors unforgettable experiences, and many are home to priceless and original artefacts.
Step back in time and understand their strategic and military significance in the tumultuous history of Scotland, whilst enjoying breathtaking views of the cities and countryside beyond the walls. For the ultimate Scotland experience, combine castle visits with whisky, wildlife, and dramatic iconic driving routes.
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