Welcome to our guide to the 9 Best Castles in Scotland that you must visit!
Castles are so embedded in Scotland’s history that it’s impossible not to include them in your visit to Scotland. Over the years, about 3000 castles have been recorded in Scotland, but today only a few hundred remain. There are still so many to choose from to include in your itinerary. To help you choose the best, we made this guide to 9 Scottish castles and castle ruins that we chose to include in our Scotland road trip. In addition, we included 6 more recommended Scottish castles at the end of our guide. Castles that we did not have the chance to visit but are definitely worth visiting.
Don’t miss our full Scotland road trip itinerary, with our suggested 10 day Scotland itinerary (with 3 optional extra days) filled with maps, trails, pictures and lots of recommendations on all the must-visit places in Scotland.
Note that all photography on this guide (and throughout our website) was shot by me (Alina) and if you wish to purchase any, some are available at my Etsy shop.
Now let’s start our guide to the 9 Best Castles in Scotland:
Our recommended 9 Best Castles in Scotland
Best Castles in Scotland: 1. Edinburgh Castle
The highlight of Edinburgh and a MUST visit! It stands on top of Castle Rock and it’s part of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. It took us 2 hours to explore. We recommend buying tickets online and reserving a specific hour since they sometimes sell out. Edinburgh Castle is featured in our full Edinburgh itinerary for spending 3 days in Edinburgh.
Best Castles in Scotland: 2. Stirling Castle
One of Scotland’s most important castles, due to its strategic position guarding a key crossing point on the River Forth. The castle offers nice open views, as it sits on a high volcanic rock. Explore this beautiful castle for a couple of hours (it took us 1.5 hours). We recommend booking tickets in advance at their website. In general, the city of Stirling, is definitely worth a visit, especially if you like to step back in time during your holidays, with several points of interest, filled with Scottish history.
Best Castles in Scotland: 3. Urquhart Castle
A MUST! The ruins of Urquhart Castle offer panoramic views overlooking Loch Ness. The ruins date from the 13th century and have been home to centuries of key events in the history of Scotland, such as the war of Scottish independence in the 14th century. Before you walk towards the ruins, you can watch a video about the full history of the castle. There is a nice gift shop on site. For more information, visit their website.
LOCH NESS BY JACOBITE - If you have time (or an extra day) you can take a 2-hour Loch Ness cruise from Dochgarroch to see Urquhart castle from the waters.
Best Castles in Scotland: 4. Dunvegan Castle
This castle was first built in the 13th century, sitting on an elevated rock overlooking an inlet on the eastern shore of Loch Dunvegan. It has been the home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years. You can tour the castle and the gardens, and also there is a boat trip onto Loch Dunvegan to see the seal colony. Unfortunately, there was no seal trip on the day we visited. You can check availability and operational hours here.
Best Castles in Scotland: 5. Castle Ewen
Well, to be honest, it is not really a castle. However, it is absolutely beautiful so we’ve decided to include it in our Scottish Castle guide. The Fairy Glen is a beautiful landscape with cone-shaped hills that gave the glen a mystical vibe and its name. Castle Ewen is basically the highest hill in Fairy Glen, and it is called a castle because it has a unique top that resembles a castle ruin. It is possible to climb to the top for views of the glen, although it is a bit tricky climb. There is paid parking and it is quite small, also there are no toilets. It was snowing during our visit there, which made the glen even more beautiful! It took us about one hour to explore. We loved visiting Castle Ewen and The Fairy Glen so they are featured in our guide to the Best Scenic Drives in Scotland and our guide to the Best Hikes in Isle of Skye.
Best Castles in Scotland: 6. Eilean Donan Castle
A Must-See! The iconic Eilean Donan Castle sits on a small island where three lochs meet: Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long. It’s connected to the mainland by a footbridge constructed in the early 20th Century.
First, some history, the name Eilean Donan means ‘Island of Donan’, named after a Celtic saint, Bishop Donan that came to Scotland in the 6th century. The castle was built in the early 13th century as a defense from the Vikings. Since then, over the centuries, the Eilean Donan Castle was involved in many raids and sieges until it was destroyed to ruins in the 18th century during the Jacobite risings, with a series of rebellions and endless battles. For over 200 years, the ruins remained abandoned until John MacRae-Gilstrap, a British Army officer from the famous Black Watch regiment bought the island in 1911. He was behind the reconstruction of the castle, which was finished in 1932 and opened to the public in 1955.
Inside the spectacular Eilean Donan castle, you will walk around its various rooms: the kitchen, inner courtyard, banqueting hall and the main keep. For opening hours and admission prices, click here (and check out their live webcam).
A nice viewpoint on the Eilean Donan Castle, near All The Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop:
Now there is a quite dramatic tide difference which totally eliminates the water near the castle. You can see in the photos below (the first was taken at sunset, and the second was taken around 2 PM). As you can see, the picture is totally different. If it’s important to you, you can check this website for tide information.
Best Castles in Scotland: 7. Castle Stalker
An offshore castle, belonging to the MacDougalls built around 1320. There is a possibility to visit the castle on certain days, but you need to prebook it. You will find more information about dates and bookings through their website. We didn’t visit, but we did have a nice view of it from a path near Castle Stalker View Cafe & Giftshop. Besides, it was a nice stop for coffee and dessert.
Best Castles in Scotland: 8. Kilchurn Castle
At the tip of Loch Awe sits one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. Built in the mid-1400s by Sir Colin Campbell. Over the years, the Castle was used as a government garrison during the Jacobite Rebellions, until it was abandoned in the 1700s. Currently, there is no visiting option, just admiring it from the outside. There is a nice viewpoint on it from road A819. There is a small parking, you need to walk through the gate until you reach Loch Awe.
Best Castles in Scotland: 9. Inveraray Castle
Beside Loch Fyne, located this majestic gothic Castle. Designed by William Adam and Roger Morris, and built in the 1700s. The Castle is the family seat of Clan Campbell, the Dukes of Argyll, and it is still the family’s home that parts of it are open to the public. Do a self-guided tour through the luxurious rooms of the castle and don’t miss the Armoury Hall. Check their website for admission tickets and opening hours.
More Castles to consider visiting
Obviously, you can’t visit every castle, and we can only recommend the ones we have visited. There were more castles we planned to visit but just didn’t have the time. As you can see in the map below, these castles are more remote (marked grey). So, if you do have more time or you are close by, here is a list of more castles to consider visiting. The first 2 are the most recommended.
10. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
If you are in the Northern Highlands, it is a must! It comprises the ruins of two castles: the 15th century Castle Girnigoe and the 17th century Castle Sinclair. With free admission, you can explore the ruins and enjoy the beauty of the dramatic scenery.
11. Dunnottar Castle
Picturesque cliff-top castle surrounded by the North Sea. A total must! It really resembles Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland. Check out more information about hours and admission here.
12. Inverness Castle
Beautiful castle sits on the highest point in Inverness, overlooking the city and the river Ness. Note that the Castle has been closed for refurbishment for a while now, but you can admire its beauty from the outside. For better views, go to the opposite bank of the river Ness.
13. Castle of Old Wick
Ruins of a castle from the 12th century that sits on a spine of a rock, surrounded by sea cliffs. The ruins are small but the location is breathtaking!
14. Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle is the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland, with the earliest part of the building dating from around 1275. You can tour the castle through the state rooms, gardens, visit the museum and watch a falconry display. It’s open from 1st April to 31st October. For prices, opening times and falconry display hours, visit their website.
15. Strome Castle
A Small ruined castle on the shore of Loch Carron with nice views.
Well, that’s it! Don’t miss our full Scotland road trip itinerary. This was our Guide to the 9 Best Castles in Scotland & 5 more Scottish Castles to consider visiting.
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