Six of Scotland's Most Stunning Castles

Discover the history, clan connections and unique stories behind six of Scotland's most spectacular castles.

1. Eilean Donan Castle

Few castles are as instantly recognisable as Eilean Donan. Standing on a small tidal island where Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh meet, it's one of Scotland's best-known castles. With its dramatic mountain backdrop and elegant stone bridge, it's easy to see why it's become one of the country's most photographed landmarks.

The island is named after Saint Donan, who is believed to have established a small religious community here in the 7th century. The first castle was built in the early 13th century to help protect the western Highlands from Norse attack. Over the centuries it was extended and strengthened, becoming an important stronghold of the Mackenzies of Kintail.

In 1719, during the Jacobite Rising, Spanish troops occupied the castle in support of the Jacobite cause. Government warships bombarded the fortress before capturing it and destroying much of it by blowing up its gunpowder stores. The castle remained a ruin for almost 200 years until Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap began an ambitious restoration in 1912. Completed in 1932, the project transformed the ruins into the magnificent castle visitors see today.

Clan Connection

Eilean Donan is closely associated with Clan Mackenzie, whose chiefs held the castle for centuries. Clan MacRae served as its hereditary constables and defenders, and members of the clan still play an important role in caring for the castle today.

Did you know?

Although Eilean Donan looks like a perfectly preserved medieval castle, much of what you see today dates from the restoration completed in 1932. It's also appeared in several films, including Highlander (1986), The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007).

2. Dunnottar Castle

Standing on a rocky headland south of Stonehaven, Dunnottar Castle occupies one of the most dramatic sites in Scotland. Surrounded by steep cliffs and the North Sea on three sides, it could only be reached by a narrow path across the headland, making it a formidable fortress.

The site has been occupied for well over 1,000 years, although most of the buildings seen today date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Dunnottar became the principal seat of the Keith family and played an important role in Scottish history. Mary, Queen of Scots visited the castle in 1562, and during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of Scotland it was besieged for several months.

Dunnottar is best known for helping save the Honours of Scotland. During the siege of 1651–52, the Scottish Crown, Sceptre and Sword of State were secretly taken out of the castle before it surrendered. Hidden beneath the floor of nearby Kinneff Parish Church, they escaped capture and can still be seen today in Edinburgh Castle. After the Jacobite Rising of 1715, the Keith family lost their estates and Dunnottar gradually fell into ruin.

Clan Connection

Dunnottar Castle was the principal seat of Clan Keith for more than 400 years. The chiefs of Clan Keith also held the hereditary office of Great Marischal of Scotland, one of the highest offices of state in medieval Scotland.

Did You Know?

The Honours of Scotland are the oldest Crown Jewels in Britain. They survived Cromwell's invasion because they were secretly removed from Dunnottar Castle and hidden beneath the floor of Kinneff Parish Church until the monarchy was restored.

3. Dunvegan Castle

Standing on the shores of Loch Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, Dunvegan Castle has been the ancestral home of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod for around 800 years. Built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the loch, it has been extended and altered many times over the centuries.

The earliest parts of the castle date from the 13th century, although much of the building seen today is the result of later additions, particularly during the 19th century. Unlike many Scottish castles, Dunvegan was never abandoned or left to ruin. It has remained the home of successive MacLeod chiefs for around 800 years. The castle describes itself as the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.

Dunvegan is also home to one of Scotland's most famous clan treasures – the Fairy Flag. This ancient silk banner has been associated with Clan MacLeod for centuries and is surrounded by legend. Although its true origins remain uncertain, it remains one of Scotland's best-known clan relics.

Clan Connection

Dunvegan Castle has been the ancestral seat of Clan MacLeod since the 13th century. It remains closely associated with the clan and its chiefs today.

Did You Know?

According to tradition, the Fairy Flag could be unfurled only a limited number of times to protect Clan MacLeod in times of great danger. Whether fact or folklore, it remains one of Scotland's most famous clan treasures.

4. Urquhart Castle

Overlooking Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle occupies one of the most important defensive sites in the Highlands. For centuries it controlled a key route through the Great Glen and was fought over during some of Scotland's most turbulent periods. People lived on the site long before the castle was built, but the first stone fortress dates from the 13th century.

During the Wars of Independence, Urquhart changed hands several times as Scots and English fought for control of the country. It was later attacked repeatedly by the Lords of the Isles before passing to Clan Grant in the early 16th century. The Grants repaired and strengthened the castle, including the construction of the five-storey Grant Tower.

Urquhart's military role came to an end after the first Jacobite Rising. When government troops left the castle in 1692, they blew up the gatehouse to prevent it being used again as a stronghold. The castle was never rebuilt and gradually became the impressive ruin overlooking Loch Ness today.

Clan Connection

Urquhart Castle is most closely associated with Clan Grant, who acquired the castle in the early 16th century. They repaired and strengthened the fortress and remained its owners until it was abandoned in the late 17th century.

Did You Know?

According to the 7th-century Life of St Columba, the saint encountered a mysterious creature in the River Ness around AD 580. Many people regard this as the earliest written account linked to the Loch Ness Monster.

5. Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle has been home to the Lyon family for more than 650 years. The lands of Glamis were granted to Sir John Lyon by King Robert II in 1372, and the castle has remained in the same family ever since. Although parts of the building date from the 15th century, it has been enlarged and altered many times over the centuries.

Unlike many Scottish castles, Glamis was never built as a frontier fortress. Instead, it developed as the home of one of Scotland's leading noble families. It welcomed several Scottish monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots in 1562, and during the First World War it was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers.

Today, Glamis is closely associated with the Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother spent much of her childhood here, and Princess Margaret was born at the castle in 1930. Glamis is also linked with Shakespeare's Macbeth. Although the present castle was built centuries after Macbeth's lifetime, tradition says that King Malcolm II died at Glamis in 1034, helping to inspire the setting for Shakespeare's famous tragedy.

Clan Connection

The Lyon family have owned Glamis since 1372. Later known as the Bowes Lyon family, they continue to own the castle today. The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne is the chief of Clan Lyon.

Did You Know?

Princess Margaret was born at Glamis Castle on 21 August 1930. She was the first member of the Royal Family to be born in Scotland for more than 300 years.

6. Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle stands on Castle Rock, an extinct volcano overlooking the centre of Scotland's capital. People have lived on the rock for thousands of years, and by the 11th century it had become one of Scotland's main royal strongholds. St Margaret's Chapel, built by King David I in memory of his mother, Queen Margaret, is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh.

The castle played a central role in Scotland's history. During the Wars of Independence it changed hands several times before being recaptured from the English by Sir Thomas Randolph and a small group of men in 1314. Robert the Bruce then ordered much of the castle to be dismantled so it could not be used against him again.

Many of the buildings seen today date from the 15th and 16th centuries, including the Great Hall, completed for King James IV in 1511, and the Half Moon Battery, built after the Lang Siege of 1571–73.

For centuries, Edinburgh Castle served as both a royal residence and a military fortress. Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the future James VI here in 1566. After he inherited the English throne in 1603 and moved his court to London, the castle became increasingly important as a military garrison. Today it is home to the Scottish National War Memorial, the National War Museum and the Honours of Scotland.

Royal Connection

Edinburgh Castle was one of the principal royal residences of medieval Scotland. Many Scottish kings and queens lived here, including Mary, Queen of Scots, whose son James VI was born in the Royal Palace in 1566.

Did You Know?

The Honours of Scotland – the Crown, Sceptre and Sword of State – are the oldest surviving Crown jewels in Britain. Hidden away after the 1707 Act of Union, they remained undiscovered for more than 100 years until they were rediscovered in 1818 by a commission led by Sir Walter Scott.

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