City: Scotland
Top Things to do in Scotland
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Top 10 Castles in Scotland, United Kingdom
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Restaurants in Scotland
1. Dunnottar Castle
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,128 reviews
Majestic 14th-century castle located on a rugged cliff overlooking the coast.
Reviewed By _sw5555_ - Vancouver, Canada
There's no mistaken that this is one of the top castle ruins, with an unique location and windy ocean views. Depending on the day, you may descent the hillside and climb into the ruins with a piper playing in the background. And with the likes of King Charles II making an appearance (who actually stayed overnight), the Scottish crown jewels too, and a legend involving William Wallace burning the English encampment, this place is just like Scotland crystallized.
2. Edinburgh Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51,182 reviews
Edinburgh Castle is a world famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. It was recently voted top UK Heritage Attraction in the British Travel Awards and is Scotland’s number one paid-for tourist attraction. This most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret's Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War. The castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland.
Reviewed By gabrielgpavon2018 - Community of Madrid, Spain
Outstanding views, very well designed visit flow, 10+ worthwhile sites, from the successive ramparts to the OUTSTANDING Scotland War Museum and the Scottish Crown Honors (jewels and the recovered Stone of Destiny / Scone), Medieval Great Hall, War Memorial, Regimental museums, Saint Margaret´s XI century chapel... The castle guide book, available at the shop by the entrance, is really useful The views alone (we had wonderful weather) are worthwhile, the treaures inside and the exquisite care shown in presenting them are second to none. Allow at least three hours to stroll around and have a drink...
3. Stirling Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,220 reviews
Dominating the skyline for miles around, Stirling Castle is a shining example of Renaissance architecture. Visitors can look out from its high stone walls to the battlefields of Stirling Bridge where great medieval armies clashed to decide the fate of nations. Home to generations of Scottish monarchs including, Mary Queen of Scots, the Castle is an enduring and powerful reminder of our fascinating history.
Reviewed By GordonYates - Stirling, United Kingdom
This was a wonderful day out - we went with our 7 year old twin grand daughters who had a whale of a time! They found the experience a great adventure The Castle was well organised and managed with knowledgeable and friendly staff that all added to the experience We all enjoyed a snack at the Unicorn Cafe - again well run and organised, in fact the coffee was good Most of castle was opened, in fact not much is closed off!
4. Eilean Donan Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,314 reviews
This picturesque castle, built in 1220, holds the title of the most photographed castle in Scotland.
Reviewed By Armaska - Tallinn, Estonia
Eilean Donan was our third castle after Stirling and Inveraray and they all were worth the visits! They all have picturesque locations but they are super different in the inside. We really liked the Eilean Donan audio tour and we specially liked the kitchen and bedrooms - super interesting to see how noble people lived. And do not miss the before pictures - it is unbelievable that a family (and restoration worker) had the vision and means to build it up again. Definitely a gem!
5. Crathes Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
This beautiful castle dates back to 1563 and is rumored to be haunted.
Reviewed By frankinkstain - Paisley, United Kingdom
Lovely walk round the grounds and formal gardens on Hogmany in lovely winter sun, finished off with lunch at cafe
6. Urquhart Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,250 reviews
Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. Climb the Grant Tower that watches over the iconic loch, peer into a miserable prison cell, said to have held the legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn, and imagine the splendid banquets staged in the great hall. A more comfortable view of the iconic ruins, against a backdrop of Loch Ness and the hills of the Great Glen, can be enjoyed from the café. Urquhart’s stories are also told through a remarkable collection of artefacts left by its residents, historic replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine, and a short film. The castle has a distinctly Highland heritage and the site has witnessed some of the most dramatic chapters in our nation’s history. This is where St Columba is said to have worked miracles in the 6th century, where acts of chivalry and defiance provided inspiration during the Wars of Independence and where the MacDonald Lords of the Isles struggled with the Crown for power.
Reviewed By 882davidh - Seamill, United Kingdom
What an amazing castle, even though it is a ruin. We were there nearly 2hrs wandering around and taking pictures. It was a brilliant day of still water and bright sunshine, almost shorts and tee shirt weather, and this was in mid November!! We were told in the summer that is very busy. If I was going to make one recommendation, be there as soon as it opens. We were able to walk around, take loads of pictures solely of the castle and grounds, and not other visitors. There is an excellent visitor centre as well, full of information (including a short film on the history), things to buy (obviously), and a large café with panoramic views of the castle (indoor and outdoor seating). There is also disabled facilities, a lift to the lower level and they provide 4 wheel mobility scooters as well to get down the pathway to the castle. The staff are really friendly, so helpful and very knowledgeable about the ruin.
7. Duart Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 663 reviews
For over 700 years, Duart Castle, the seat of Clan Maclean, has dominated the view to the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe with its huge curtain walls and solid keep. Tour the Castle, explore the grounds and learn more about the Clan. Enjoy the ancient Keep, ghostly Dungeons, magnificent Banqueting Hall, quaint Edwardian State Rooms and breathtaking views from the Battlements. Duart Castle was featured in a number of Hollywood films such as Sean Connery's, Entrapment (1999), "When Eight Bells Toll" (1971) with Antony Hopkins and "I Know Where I'm Going" (1945). The Castle is open from April through to October every year and hosts a number of Weddings and Events throughout the summer months such as Outdoor Theatre, Military Re-enactments, Music, Storytelling, Birds of Prey and Scottish Pipers and Highland Dancers. Travel to Mull via the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Lochaline to Fishnish or from Oban to Craignure. Duart Castle is a 10 minute drive from Craignure.
Reviewed By 441sandym
Great to be back at Duart Castle,i have been here many times,a lot of scaffolding around the castle,but it is needed for the renovation work going on at the castle it's looking great,really love it here,well worth a visit
8. Slains Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Erected in 1597, this is one of the most famous castle ruins in Scotland, and was used by Bram Stoker as the inspiration for the castle of the evil vampire in his most famous supernatural tale "Dracula."
Reviewed By spgk - Espoo, Finland
Whilst I had seen a few photos beforehand, we were impressed with what we found - and it´s free! Getting there - I followed my sat nav using the postcode AB42 0NE, which I found online. However, this took us to a small residential road of Castle Street in Cruden Bay. There was no sign of any castle so we consulted some online maps. I parked the car in Castle Street at the junction with Castle Woods. We had a lovely walk on a farm track through some fields until we met a small road leading to the castle. It´s possible to drive right up to the castle if you take the A975 and take the turning into a small track road about 1 km from Cruden Bay. We were lucky with the weather so the ruins overlooking the sea looked amazing. We liked the fact that you could explore the ruins without fences - at your own risk. We found it a better experience than many of the overpriced tourist castles. However, the ruins sit on the clifftop and there are no safety fences. For that reason I would NOT recommend it for young children or dogs. Otherwise, well worth a visit.
9. Palace of Holyroodhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,500 reviews
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen. Open throughout the year, the Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Explore the Palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it is used by The Queen when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.
Reviewed By mvidro - Washington DC, United States
We bought the "Royal Tour" entry, which entitled us to see Holyrood itself (with excellent headset guides and in-room docents for additional questions), a garden tour (EDWARD, our guide was great), and the Queen's Gallery around the corner (showing "Russia, Royalty & the Romanovs"). We spent roughly five hours touring the facility, including lunch in the cafe. Holyrood was one of the highlights of Edinburgh -- don't miss it!
10. Inveraray Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,240 reviews
Inveraray Castle is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their young family. Ancestral home of Clan Campbell. Iconic visitor attraction on the West coast of Scotland.
Reviewed By Marls1234
I had an amazing time at Inveraray Castle. All staff were lovely, the gardens were magnificent, the castle itself is a fantastic historical gem and the scones in the tea room are to die for. Notably, my guide Bridget was extremely informative and her bubbly personality absolutely made our day. Thank you Bridget.
