Scottish Castles: Ten of the most majestic and iconic

The iconic landmarks attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year and appear on picture postcards and blockbuster films.

Here is our selection of ten of the most interesting.

Edinburgh Castle

Towering over the city centre on the volcanic plug of Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the home of the famous Stone of Destiny and Scotland’s crown jewels every year.

With views over the capital, the strategic position has been under siege on numerous occasions throughout its history – and not just from tourists.

Whoever had control of the castle tended to have control of Scotland, therefore the site changed hands between Scottish and English rulers throughout the years.

These days, the only weaponry used is the Mills Mount cannon, which is fired from the castle at one o’clock every day.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is another imposing hilltop fortress steeped in history.

The castle played a pivotal role in the Wars of Independence, including during the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Interestingly, the castle remains the headquarters of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although no troops are based there.

Eilean Donan Castle

Located near Kyle of Lochalsh, the 13th century castle is truly iconic.

Perhaps one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, Eilean Donan is a mainstay of calendars and visitor books.

It’s even featured as the Scottish headquarters of MI6 in the 1999 Bond film The World Is Not Enough.

After lying in ruins since a Jacobite uprising in 1719, the castle was finally restored and reopened in 1932 by the MacRae family.

Urquhart Castle

This castle on the banks of Loch Ness lies mainly in ruins but remains one of the most visited in Scotland.

A perfect place to try to spot Nessie from, the castle changed ownership through a number of bloody conflicts before being left in its current state in the 1600s.

Linlithgow Palace

The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots was one of the main residences for Scots royals in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Today it lies roofless on the shores of Linlithgow Loch and in the care of Historic Scotland.

It is said to be haunted by the ghost of Mary’s mother.

Castles Map

Inverness Castle

The castle houses Inverness Sheriff Court and appears on the back of Royal Bank of Scotland £50 notes.

The original castle was built in the 11th century but was replaced by the sandstone construction in the early 1800s.

Glamis Castle

Near Forfar is the home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne.

It has housed Clan Lyon since the 14th century and was the childhood home of The Queen Mother, herself a Lyon.

You may also recognise it from the back of the RBS tenner.

Culzean Castle

The clifftop castle lies within Ayrshire’s Culzean Country Park.

Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, it was built in stages between 1777 and 1792.

The surrounding gardens and sea caves are popular with visitors, and stories of ghosts living in the castle have been investigated by TV show Most Haunted.

Duart Castle

Perched on a Mull clifftop, the seat of Clan MacLean was restored from ruins in 1911.

It has featured in the films Entrapment and When Eight Bells Toll and also the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Dunrobin Castle

The stately home near Golspie, Sutherland is open to the public during summer months.

Overlooking the Dornoch Firth, the grand building has 189 rooms and has also been used as a Naval hospital and a boys’ boarding school throughout the 20th century.

It also has impressive gardens inspired by the Palace of Versailles in Paris.

Quiz: Can you identify these Scottish landmarks?

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