(All Properties) in (All Categories) in Scotland

Scotland

Armadale Castle

Birkhill Castle

Birkhill is the family home of the Earl and Countess of Dundee in Birkhill, Cupar in Fife. It is located on the shores of the river Tay a short distance from St Andrews.

Set on the coast in North East Fife, Birkhill was built in 1780. The house is surrounded by gardens with rare trees and plants. Lord Dundee is the Hereditary Royal Standard Bearer for Scotland. His ancestors carried the Scottish Banner for William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Bruce later appointed the Standard Bearer and his successors as custodians of the City of Dundee which lies just across the Tay.

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle is a 15th century fortress, near the village of Blackness, Scotland, on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. It was built, probably on the site of an earlier fort, by Sir George Crichton in the 1440s.

At this time, Blackness was the main port serving the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, one of the main residences of the Scottish monarch. The castle, together with the Crichton lands, passed to King James II of Scotland in 1453, and the castle has been crown property ever since.

Blair Castle

Blair Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl.

The castle enjoys one of Scotland’s finest settings in the heart of Highland Perthshire.

The Castle has a long history, throughout which it has accumulated many fascinating historical artefacts, including antique furniture, art, period dress and arms and armour.

The Castle, one of Scotland's major stately homes, is open for visitors on a daily basis (entrance charge). One of the first private homes to open to the public in Scotland, Blair Castle welcomes more visitors than any other.

Cloncaird Castle

Crathes Castle

Crathes Castle is a 16th century castle near Banchory in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. This harled castle was built by the Burnetts of Leys and was held in that family for almost 400 years. The castle and grounds are presently owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland and are open to the public.

Crathes sits on land given as a gift to the Burnett of Leys family by King Robert the Bruce in 1323. Construction of the current tower house of Crathes Castle was begun in 1553 but delayed several times during its construction due to political problems during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Craufurdland Castle

The castle dates from 1245, one of the oldest in Ayrshire and is situated within a small country estate with scenic views, near Fenwick.

Estimates of the date of the oldest parts of the castle range from the 14th to the late 16th century, when it was simply a tower house. A wing from 1648 has been identified, but the gothic style frontage is from the early 19th century. The castle is still in private ownership.

Dalhousie Castle 

Dalmunzie Castle

Doune Castle

Doune Castle is a late 14th century stronghold near the village of Doune, in the Stirling district of central Scotland. The castle is sited on a wooded bend where the Ardoch Burn flows into the River Teith, across a bridge from the village.

Doune is remarkable among Scottish castles, as it is the product of a single building period, and has survived relatively unchanged and complete. It was begun in the late 14th century by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany (c.1340-1420), the son of King Robert II of Scotland, and Regent of Scotland from 1388 until his death.

Drummond Castle

Drummond Castle in Muthill parish is a little south of Crieff, Perthshire. The oldest part is a tower-house built over several years by Sir John Drummond of Cargill, following the issue of a royal warrant by King James III in 1491.

It is set on part of a prominent spine of rock known as the Gask Ridge, a geographical feature which stretches several kilometres across Perthshire, but is particularly prominent and steep-sided at the site of the castle. The original tower was ruined after Cromwell's siege in 1653. The upper stories were rebuilt (and heightened) in pseudo-medieval style in 1842-53, but the structure is no longer used as a dwelling. The keep is adjoined by a later, but better preserved, gatehouse (built 1629-30).

Drumtochty Castle 

Duff House

Duff House is a Georgian house in Banff, Scotland. It was designed by William Adam, and built between 1735 and 1740. It is regarded as one of Britain's finest Georgian houses. Duff House was built for William Duff of Braco, who became Earl Fife in 1759.
Disputes over the castle reached such an intensity that Duff never lived here. It is said that he never even looked at the completed house, having his carriage blinds drawn whenever he passed by.

In the twentieth century Duff House was in turn a palm court hotel, a sanatorium and a prisoner of war camp. Since 1995 it has been part of the National Galleries of Scotland and houses a range of art treasures and superbly furnished rooms. It also hosts a programme of artistic events and is used as a base for artists and writers.

Dundas Castle 

Dundas Castle is a 15th century castle, with substantial 19th century additions by William Burn, near South Queensferry, to the west of Edinburgh. It was the home of the Dundas family. In 1416, James Dundas obtained a license to build a Keep from the first Duke of Albany, with an extension granted in 1436. It was primarily a defensive refuge. Oliver Cromwell is known to have stayed at Dundas Castle around the time of the Battle of Dunbar in 1650.

The modern Dundas Castle was built in 1818 by the renowned architect William Burn. Burn also designed many churches and this influence is visible throughout the building. Burn's designs for the main state rooms allow for huge windows that look out onto lawns and parkland outside. The Dundas family sold the property in 1846, but it remains in private ownership.

Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland, about two miles (3 km) south of Stonehaven.

The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th–16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been an early fortress of the Dark Ages.

Dunnottar Castle played a strategic role in the history of Scotland from the Middle Ages through to the Enlightenment, because of the location: it overlooked the shipping lanes to northern Scotland; and is situated on a narrow coastal terrace that controlled land access to the coastal south via Portlethen Moss to Aberdeen.

The site is open to the public, visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Duns Castle

Duns Castle, Duns, Berwickshire is a historic house, the oldest part of which is the massive Norman Keep or Pele Tower, dating from 1320. The earlier house was transformed into a Gothic castle, 1818-22, by architect James Gillespie Graham. It is owned by the current Laird, Alexander Hay of Duns and Drumelzier.

Alexander Hay (who was killed at the battle of Waterloo) reputedly haunts the castle.

There is a publicly accessible park and two man made lakes, the Hen Poo and the smaller Mill Dam.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a castle fortress that dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, from its position on top of the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site dates back to the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear.

The present castle dates from the 12th to 21st centuries. The castle saw many sieges and occupations during the Wars of Scottish Independence (1296 - 1357) and was besieged during the Lang Siege (1571 - 1573); and again in 1640, 1650, 1689, and 1745.

The castle is still in use today for ceremonial and military purposes. The 52 Infantry Brigade is garrisoned here. It is now owned by the Ministry of Defence. It is open to the public. Parts are also rented for wedding receptions.

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle is a medieval castle on the small island of Eilean Donan in Loch Duich in the western Highlands of Scotland. The island is dominated by its famous picturesque castle. It is situated at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge and lies about half a mile from the village of Dornie. In 2001, the island had a population of just one person, but it is the spiritual home of many more since Eilean Donan is the home of the Clan Macrae.

Today, you can explore nearly every part of the castle. The Castle now has its own visitor centre, which includes the Ticket Office, Coffee Shop, Gift Shop and toilets. Car parking is available at no charge. Large parties and groups welcome. There is no disabled or wheelchair access into the castle itself, but there is a computer-based Virtual Tour available for those that are unable to manage the steps.

Floors Castle

Glenapp Castle 

Glenapp Castle, formerly the family seat of the Earl of Inchcape, is located in Ballantrae, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The castle was built for the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County, James Hunter. Designed by the famous Scottish architect David Bryce the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire at the time, the Castle was finished in 1870.

It is a noteworthy example of the Scottish Baronial style of architecture. The Inchcape family owned the castle from 1917 until the early 1980's. Pioneering aviatrix Elsie Mackay, daughter of the first Earl of Inchcape, lived at the castle until her death in 1928 in an attempt to fly the Atlantic in a single engined Stinson Detroiter.

Glengorm Castle

Situated on the Northern tip of the Isle of Mull near Tobermory, Glengorm Castle overlooks the Atlantic and has views over 60 miles to the Outer Hebrides and Islands of Uist, Rhum and Canna.

The Castle was built in 1860 for James Forsyth and sits at the headland of Glengorm's vast area of coastline, forestry, lochs and hills. Glengorm stands apart from the surrounding Western Isles, known for its dramatic scenery, due to its tranquillity and sheer natural beauty.

Guthrie Castle

Guthrie Castle is a castle and country house, located in the village of Guthrie, 18 miles north-east of Dundee in Angus, Scotland. The castle dates back to the 15th century, although much of the present building is of 19th century origin. It is now a private house, but is hired out as a venue for corporate events and weddings.

Guthrie Castle comprises a tower house, originally built by Sir David Guthrie (1435-1500), Treasurer and Lord Justice-General of Scotland, in 1468. The Guthrie family later built a house beside the tower. In 1848, the two were linked by a baronial style expansion, to designs by David Bryce. The historic keep remained in the Guthrie family until 1983, with the death of Colonel Ivan Guthrie. In 1984 Guthrie Castle was purchased by an American businessman who restored the castle to its 19th century condition, and built a golf course within the estate in 1994/95.

Hafton Castle

Hafton Castle is a magnificent building located in Hunter's Quay, just outside Dunoon, with views across Holy Loch. The Castle is set in its own gardens.

The Castle was built by James Hunter. Its architect was David Hamilton who also designed Dunoon Castle. The building has some magnificent features, beautiful ceilings, carved doors and a superb staircase. Outside in the gardens are old trees, lawns and beautiful views across the Loch.

Dunoon itself is the home of the Cowal Highland Gathering and has a castle and museum.

Inverbroom Lodge

Inverbroom Victorian sporting lodge and estate, offering fishing and shooting holidays

This Victorian shooting lodge stands in one of the most beautiful valleys of Wester Ross, half a mile from the head of Loch Broom and 8 miles from the idyllic fishing village of Ullapool.

Once part of the Braemore Estate, Inverbroom has undergone careful refurbishment and modernisation sympathetic to the history of the property. The public rooms are decorated in rich, warm colours with timber floors and rugs. There are 10 bedrooms and nine bathrooms or shower rooms. The large kitchen is a delight for socialising with its modern, blue timber units, Aga and farmhouse dining table. The sitting room with open fire and large, comfortable sofas is very inviting and the rich, red dining room is conducive to after-dinner conversation.

The lodge, is on the 20,000-acre Inverbroom Estate. This is an ideal home for sporting holidays and family breaks

Kellie Castle

Kellie Castle is a castle located just outside Arncroach, about 5 kilometres north of Pittenweem in the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland.

Originally a simple tower house, the lower section of what now constitutes the northwest tower is the oldest part of the castle, dating from around 1360, and is said to be haunted. In 1573 a new tower was built by the 4th Lord Oliphant to the east of the original tower. Between 1573 and 1606 the two towers were linked by a new range, terminated by another tower in the south-west, creating the T-plan layout that remains today. The castle is a fine example of Scots Baronial domestic architecture, with an imposing mix of gables, corbelled towers, and chimneys.

Kilconquhar Castle

Kincardine Castle

Lennoxlove House

Megginch Castle

Megginch Castle in Perth and Kinross, in central Scotland, was built for the Hay family in the 15th Century, Originally a rectangular red sandstone tower house, begun before 1460, the castle was extended and remodelled by Peter Hay in 1575 to comprise three storeys and an attic.

The Hays family sold the property to the Drummond family in 1664 and it has been extended in subsequent centuries.

The gardens are notable, with four ancient yew trees each more than 1000 years old, topiary, an astrological garden, a sundial dating from 1572, a fountain parterre, a 17th-century rose garden and a walled garden with a long herbaceous border and ancient fruit trees. Several of the old pear and apple varieties are greatly valued.

Mellerstain House

Mellerstain House is a stately home around 13 kilometres north of Kelso in the Borders, Scotland. It is currently the home of the 13th Earl of Haddington.

Mellerstain was built between 1725 and 1778. The architect William Adam initially designed the east and west wings for George Baillie and Lady Grisel Baillie. Work ceased after the wings were completed,and it was another 45 years before George Hamilton commissioned Robert Adam to design and build the main mansion house. Hamilton was a son of the Earl of Haddington, and he inherited the Mellerstain estate when Lady Grisel Baillie died, changing his name to Baillie as a mark of respect.

The mansion house is possibly the only remaining complete building designed by Robert Adam, as most of his other works were additions to existing buildings.

Myres Castle

Myres Castle is a Scottish castle situated in Fife near the village of Auchtermuchty Its history is interleaved with that of nearby Falkland Palace. The lands of the present Myres estate originally formed part of the extensive properties of the Earl of Fife.

The castle itself originated circa 1530 as a Z-plan fortress, perhaps designed by its owner John Scrimgeour, and has an ochre harled exterior with some exposed grey ashlar stonework on its square tower added in 1616. The tower is adorned with garland stonework, heraldic relief with carved initials and a parapet. The basement course appears to be an older, possibly 14th century piece, due to its barrel vaulted construction, and clear architecture of a medieval kitchen. Further modifications took place in the 17th and 18th centuries. At the property entrance there is a detached Victorian stone gatehouse, which was inhabited as a residence up to at least 1997. The prize of Myres is a spectacular walled garden featuring gigantic topiary yew trees, elaborate herbaceous borders and a small fishpond.

Stalker Castle

Castle Stalker is a four-storey tower house or keep. The Castle's picturesque appearance, with its bewitching island setting against a dramatic backdrop of mountains, has made it a favourite subject for postcards and calendars, and something of a cliché image of Scottish Highland scenery. Castle Stalker is entirely authentic; it is one of the best-preserved medieval tower-houses surviving in western Scotland.

The original castle was a small fort, built around 1320 by Clan MacDougall who were then Lords of Lorn. Around 1388 the Stewarts took over the Lordship of Lorn, and it is believed that they built the castle in its present form around the 1440s.

Castle Stalker is in private ownership, but the official website gives details of dates and arrangements by which visits can be made by appointment, subject to advance notice, weather and tides.

Traquair House

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle was in its day one of the largest strongholds of medieval Scotland. Though now in ruins, having been slighted in the late seventeenth century, it remains an impressive structure, splendidly situated on a headland overlooking Loch Ness.

The castle is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, and run by Historic Scotland as a site within the Guardianship of Scottish Ministers. It is Historic Scotland's 3rd busiest site. The majority of alleged Loch Ness Monster sightings occur in this location.

In 2000-1, Historic Scotland undertook a major construction programme to create a visitor centre at the site, and to improve parking facilities. The visitor centre includes a display on the history of the site, including a series of finds from the medieval period, a cinema, a restaurant and shop. The Castle is open all year. There is an entrance charge. Urquhart Castle hosts marriage ceremonies.