Have you ever been to a castle? You may think more often of Ireland, but Scotland has some wonderful castle to visit. As a matter of fact, there are over 3,000 castles located in Scotland. Each of them has a sort of medieval mystique about it. Of all of these Scottish castles, there are 4 of them that definitely should be seen if you are visiting the area. Here is out list of must see castles Scotland.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is probably the most famous castle in Scotland, not only for its beauty, but because it’s also the national symbol of the country. It actually sits on top of an extinct volcano. Approximately one million people visit this castle each year. Part of the buildings that make up Edinburgh Castle date back to the 12th century. There are a lot of traditions that still take place at the castle today including a gun that is fired every day, except for Sundays, at exactly one o’clock. This tradition dates back to 1861 and was used to helped ships set their maritime clocks. The castle shows off its rich history by displaying statues of soldiers on horses, cannons and a prison of war display.
Stuart Castle
Surprisingly, the biggest reason many visit the Stuart Castle isn’t because of its beauty, but because of its history. This castle was built by Earls of Moray over 400 years ago. For more than 300 years it was in derelict ruin and said to be inhabited by ghosts. Charles Stuart took a liking to the castle and decided to restore it. It took over 15 years to bring it back to its original beauty, but now it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in all of Scotland. Visiting Stuart Castle is like going back 400 years ago. The complete inside has been restored as close as it could to its original structure. There is a fireplace in each room and beautiful gardens all around the castle’s grounds.
Glamis Castle
If visitors think that the Glamis Castle looks familiar and they’ve seen it somewhere before, well they probably have. It’s featured on the back of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s 10 pound notes. There are a lot of tales associated with this 600 year old castle. It has been said that monsters live in the castle and that a family that was hiding inside were found, stashed away and starved to death and that their dead bodies remain in Glamis Castle somewhere. The play Macbeth also mentions Glamis Castle even though King Macbeth died over 300 years before the castle was built. Despite all of this, the castle has an incomparable beauty. The rich, cultural history is everywhere. Oil paintings and china are abundant in many of the rooms. Pine trees surround the castle and visitors may even catch a glimpse of a highland cattle wandering around.
Eilean Donan
Eilean Donan looks like a castle straight out of a fairy tale. It is one of the most photographed castle in the entire world. It was originally built in the 13th century. It was destroyed in 1719 when the Jacobite uprising occurred, but Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap was able to restore it to back to its original beauty in 1932. It sits on a small island and is surrounded by lush greenery. Visitors must first pass through a courtyard in order to gain entrance into the castle. Once inside they can see the intricate stone construction that gives visitors the impression as if they have stepped back into time. The castle also features a banquet hall that showcases its elegance and grandeur.
Other popular castles for tourists visiting Scotland include Stirling Castle, Caerlaverock Castle and Blair Castle. Visiting a Scottish castle would make for a great trip to celebrate an anniversary, wedding or other special occasion. Many escorted Scotland tours in 2021 will include visits to these castles. These castles offer a wonderful insight into the history of the region.
