Throughout its history, Scotland has been known as the country of a thousand castles.
Discovering them, is the best way to learn more about Scotland's tumultuous
history and the people who lived there in the past. This is World Travel Guide
and today we will visit some of the most famous Scottish castles!
The Eilean Donan castle is one of the most popular castles in Europe, and an important
Scottish landmark. It is without a doubt one of the Highlands' most visited tourist destinations. Eilean
Donan is situated in a truly stunning location, strategically perched on its own tiny island, with
a view of the Isle of Skye. The island and castle are named for Donan, an Irish priest from the 7th
century, who lost his life in the year 617 on the nearby island of Eigg. Donan traveled to Scotland's
west coast in order to spread the Christian faith among the locals. In the first half of the 20th
century, the castle was rebuilt as a family home. The bridge was also added at this time. The bridge
is as much a tourist attraction, as the very castle itself. The majority of the castle's magnificent
interior halls are now open for visitors to explore. You can admire Jacobean artifacts,
exhibitions of weapons and works of fine art. The beautiful Banqueting Hall can be used to host
romantic weddings. The Island is surrounded by wildlife, and visitors often see dolphins, birds and otters.
The Edinburgh Castle is a huge fortification and arguably Scotland's most iconic landmark. For ages,
it has dominated the skyline of the city. This imposing castle has been constantly adapted to
meet the changing military requirements. And over the years, it has been attacked 13 times, whether
successfully or unsuccessfully, via stealth or siege. The wars of Scottish Independence
in the 14th century and the Jacobite uprising rising of 1745, both involved Edinburgh Castle. The National
War Museum of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the One o'Clock Gun and the Scottish Crown
Jewels are all kept in the castle. The Edinburgh Castle has a fascinating building history. Saint
Margaret's Chapel, its oldest part, was built in the 12th century. James IV built the Great Hall
approximately in 1510, the Regent Morton built the Half Moon Battery in the late 16th century,
and the Scottish National War Memorial was built after the First World War. You can go for a walk
around the castle's exterior, which includes the cemetery. You can also purchase a ticket
and go to the castle, look around the various rooms and discover more about Edinburgh's past.
the British royal family is the owner of a sizable estate residence in Aberdeenshire, known
as Balmoral Castle. It is close to Crathie, which is a village 15 kilometers west of Ballater and
82 kilometers west of Aberdeen. Since 1852, Balmoral has been one of the Royal Family's residences. The
castle is a prime example of Scottish baronial architecture, and is a top category building
according to Historic Environment Scotland. The old castle was demolished immediately
after the construction of the new one in 1856. Today, the Balmoral Estate extends over 20
000 hectares, thanks to additions made by various royal family members. It is a working
estate with some herds of deer, highland cattle and ponies. The castle gardens were initially
made accessible to the general public in 1931. Today, they are open every day from
April through the end of July, when Queen Elizabeth II arrives for her yearly visit.
The only area of the castle that is accessible to the general public, is the ballroom.
Located in South Ayrshire on Scotland's west coast, Culzean Castle is a castle with a beautiful view
of the Firth of Clyde. Public access is available to this clifftop castle, which is located in the
Culzean Castle Country Park. When traveling through Ayshire, you simply have to visit Culzean Castle.
The walled garden, the clifftop walkways and the castle itself, are all worth a detailed exploration.
Built between 1772 and 1790 for David Kennedy, the castle was a creation of Robert Adam. The building
was given to the Scottish National Trust in 1945 by the Kennedy family. The castle has a highly
regal interior. You are allowed to visit a wide number of rooms, as the tour includes 10 of the
most significant rooms. On warm days, you may take a stroll down to the Swan Pond and have a picnic on
the vast grassy area and next to the lake, while enjoying some delicious ice cream. A fantastic
adventure playground for kids with a sizable wooden fortress, is right next to the Swan Pond.
Stirling Castle is without a doubt one of Scotland's most notable castles. It is
situated in central Scotland, on a strategically significant rocky outcrop by the river Forth.
From the late 11th century until the early modern era, it served as an important royal
seat. In the late Middle Ages, particularly during Scotland's wars of independence from England, it
was also the scene of numerous battles and sieges. The Fortress has witnessed numerous
sieges, murderous plots, the deaths of two kings and other significant historical events in Scotland
over the years. In its later years, the castle served mostly as a military outpost, but it
has since been restored to its former splendor, when it served as the royal residence of the
Stuart monarchy at the height of its power and majesty. The Regimental Museum of the Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders is housed in the king's old building of the castle, which is now under
the management of Historic Scotland. Temporary exhibitions about the castle's lengthy and famous
history are frequently held on the upper floor of the palace structure.
Eastern Scotland's Glamis Castle is located close to the community of Glamis, not far from Angus. The
public is welcome to visit the residents of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. The
Lyon family has lived in Glamis castle since the 14th century, albeit the current structure
is primarily from the 17th century. Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the wife of George VI, spent
her early years in Glamis. Princess Margaret, their second child, was also born there. The
castle is located in the open Angus countryside, some 8 kilometers south-west of Forfar. One of
Scotland's most attractive castles, it is never fully symmetrical from any perspective. As close
to a perfect Scottish castle as you can conceive, the castle contains a large central keep, conically
roofed corner towers and a variety of projecting turrets. The Walled Garden and the Italian Garden,
are just a few of the grounds and gardens that encircle Glamis Castle. The Monster of Glamis,
a horrible malformed infant born to the family, is the subject of the most well-known mythology
associated with the castle. In a narrative by Virginia Gabriel, the monster lived its
entire life in the castle, and after its death its suite of chambers was bricked up. Located
in within the area of the castle, Lake Calder is said to have been home to another monster.
About 3 kilometers south of Stonehaven, Scotland's north-eastern coast is home to
the ruined medieval fortification, known as Dunnottar Castle. Although the majority of the
remaining structures date from the 15th and 16th centuries, the site is thought to have
been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Due to its advantageous location and formidable
defenses, Dunnottar has been a significant place in Scottish history, up until the Jacobite
uprisings in the 18th century. The Honors of Scotland, the Scottish Crown Jewels, were hidden
in Dunnottar in the 17th century from Oliver Cromwell's invading army. For 8 months, a
small garrison resisted Cromwell's troops and prevented the destruction of the crown
jewels. From the nearby village of Stonehaven, you may take a beautiful walk to the castle.
What's your favorite Scottish castle? Leave a comment and let us know! If you loved this
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