10 Amazing Scottish Castles to Visit in 2023
The small country of Scotland is home to thousands of castles which have provided safety and shelter to their owners for hundreds of years. It was difficult to make this list but here are our picks for the 10 amazing Scottish castles that you should visit in 2023.
10. Dirleton Castle
Location: Dirleton, East Lothian (22 miles to Edinburgh)
The ruins of this medieval fortress sit perfectly in the quaint village of Dirleton. Once a key defensive structure guarding the coastal route from England to Edinburgh, Dirleton Castle was left badly damaged following an attack by Oliver Cromwell in 1650.
Dirleton is close to the city of Edinburgh and makes a perfect day trip – read more about it and other stops in East Lothian in our Edinburgh City Guide.
9. St Andrews Castle
Location: St Andrews, Fife (52 miles to Edinburgh)
St Andrews is probably more famous as being the home of golf rather than for its castle. However, that doesn’t mean you should skip it when you are in town.
Construction started in the 13th century but now the castle is mostly in ruins with only a couple buildings still standing. This does not take away from its beauty, in fact, the ruins and seaside location give it a special picturesque quality.
The best thing about St Andrews Castle is definitely the 16th century counter-mine than you can climb into and explore today.
8. Blair Castle
Location: Pitlochry, Perthshire (80 miles to Edinburgh)
The brilliant white walls of Blair Castle help it standout against its scenic highland background. These walls have seen many prominent figures in their time including a famous visit from Queen Victoria back in 1844.
The Queen was so impressed with the quality of her stay and the Atholl men that guarded her, that she presented them with colours and in doing, the Atholl Highlanders were formed. Commanded by the Duke of Atholl, and garrisoned at Blair Castle, this is the Europe’s only private army.
7. Inveraray Castle
Location: Inveraray, Argyll (110 miles to Edinburgh)
Inveraray Castle could quite easily be lifted straight from a book of fairy tales. Set within 180 hectares of woodland and gardens, and overlooking the beautiful Loch Fyne, this is much more a stately home that a defensive castle.
So homely in fact that the current Duke of Argyll and his family still live in the upper two floors as his ancestors have done before him.
6. Caerlaverock Castle
Location: Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway (80 miles to Edinburgh)
The triangular shape of Caerlaverock’s walls make this castle unique in the UK. It’s high towers, formidable gatehouse and surrounding moat also give it that iconic medieval castle look.
Following a 13-week siege in 1640, all the valuables were stolen from the castle and one of its walls destroyed so that whoever came to inhabit it would think twice about putting up a fight next time. Unfortunately for the castle no one has stayed there since and it has went uninhabited for the last 400 years.
5. Culzean Castle
Location: Maybole, South Ayrshire (95 miles to Edinburgh)
Perhaps the most mispronounced castle in Scotland (psst say Kull-ane), Culzean is also one of its most amazing. Its opulent style makes this a far cry from the much older and far more defence minded castles that you will typically see in Scotland.
Built in the 18th century for the 10th Earl of Cassilis, this lavish castle has thankfully never seen war and so stands just as beautifully as it did when first built.
4. Dunnottar Castle
Location: Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire (112 miles to Edinburgh)
The ruins of Dunnottar Castle set the backdrop for one of the most romantic and evoking viewpoints in the whole of Scotland. Set high atop steep cliffs that overlook the fierce and turbulent North Sea it’s easy to see why this castle makes the list.
Although mostly ruins now, throughout Scottish history, Dunnottar has played a crucial role and has countless stories to tell. If you go, be sure to find out about how the Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden here away from an invading army and of the 167 unfortunate prisoners that once called Dunnottar’s dungeons their home.
3. Dunrobin Castle
Location: Golspie, Sutherland (208 miles to Edinburgh)
If you were only shown a picture of Dunrobin Castle, I doubt you would say that it was in Scotland. This magnificent building is designed like a French Château which sets it apart from many others in Scotland.
Considered one of the UK’s oldest continuously inhabited houses, Dunrobin Castle makes the perfect pitstop if you are doing the NC500.
Dunrobin Castle is also highly rated on our Top 10 Most Photogenic Castles in Scotland List.
2. Stirling Castle
Location: Stirling, Stirlingshire (42 miles to Edinburgh)
This is one of the largest and most popular castles in the whole of Scotland and is located in the city of Stirling which is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’.
Due to its strategic location, Stirling Castle has been fought over fiercely throughout its long history. In fact, during only a fifty-year period in the Scottish Wars of Independence, the castle’s ownership changed eight times between the Scots and English!
1. Edinburgh Castle
Location: Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle is the most famous of Scotland’s castles and it’s easy to understand why. Towering over the city of Edinburgh, this mighty fortress sits at the top of the Royal Mile and has played a crucial role in shaping Scotland into the country it is today.
There is lots to see in the castle such as the Scottish Crown Jewels, the oldest building in Edinburgh, the famous Stone of Destiny, great museums and much more. Why not read our Edinburgh City Guide to see what else this amazing city has to offer.
