Castles / Ruins

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan sits on a tidal island where three sea lochs meet near Dornie. We explore Scotland's most photographed cast...

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Ferry Wood and Dùn Coille Broch, Lairg

A gentle circular walk through Scots pine woodland near Lairg in Sutherland, taking in wildlife sculptures, a 2,000-year...

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Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt

Discover the haunting ruins of Ardvreck Castle on its dramatic promontory in Loch Assynt. This 15th-century MacLeod stro...

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Old Keiss Castle, Caithness

Discover Old Keiss Castle, a dramatic 16th-century clifftop ruin clinging to the edge of Sinclair's Bay in Caithness. An...

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Nybster Broch, Caithness

Perched on a dramatic cliff-girt promontory on the Caithness coast, Nybster Broch is one of Scotland's most spectacular ...

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Craigievar Castle – The Pink Fairytale Tower

Discover Craigievar Castle, the iconic pink tower house in Aberdeenshire said to have inspired Walt Disney. One of the b...

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Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire

Explore Scotland's most elaborate Z-plan castle near Inverurie. Castle Fraser boasts 500 years of history, ghost stories...

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Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Perched on dramatic cliffs above Sinclair's Bay in Caithness, Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is the spectacular ruin of a 15th...

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Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire – A Fairytale Tower House with Stunning Gardens

Visit Crathes Castle near Banchory, a stunning 16th-century tower house with famous painted ceilings and spectacular wal...

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Corse Castle, Aberdeenshire – History, Ruins & Visitor Guide

Visit Corse Castle near Lumphanan, a ruined 16th-century Z-plan tower house built by the Forbes family in 1581....

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Slains Castle Aberdeenshire | History & Visiting Guide

Visit Slains Castle near Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire – a dramatic cliff-top ruin linked to Bram Stoker’s Dracula....

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Tolquhon Castle, Aberdeenshire – History, Ruins & Visitor Guide

Tolquhon Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland – a Renaissance ruin with a rich history tied to the Forbes family....

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Dunbeath Broch: Explore an Iron Age Broch

Find out how to visit, what to expect, and the broch’s fascinating history on the scenic NC500 route....

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Ousdale Broch: Iron Age Tower & Highland Clearance Village

Ousdale Broch and Borg Village, a Highland Clearance site near one of Scotland’s best-preserved Iron Age brochs....

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Experience the Magic of Brodie Illuminated

Discover the enchanting experience of Brodie Illuminated, where light and creativity collide. Join us for an unforgettab...

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Balquhain Castle in Aberdeenshire

Learn about the fascinating history of the 14th century Balquhain Castle near Inverurie. Home of Clan Leslie....

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Dunnideer Castle: Medieval Ruins & Panoramic Views

Discover Dunnideer Castle, a historic medieval tower house on Scotland's Hill of Dunnideer near Insch....

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Leith Hall, a lovely mansion house in Aberdeenshire.

Delve into the storied past of Leith Hall, from its 17th-century beginnings to its significance during wartime....

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Explore the Rich History of Huntly Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Huntly Castle, from its 12th-century origins as the Peel of Strathbogie to its transformation into a grand Jacobean pala...

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Spynie Palace: Scotland's Largest Medieval Bishop's House

Discover the history of Spynie Palace in Moray, the grand residence of bishops for over 500 years....

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The Highland Clearances: What Happened, When, and Why?

Find out more about one of the most shocking times in Scottish History - families were forcibly removed from their homes...

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Gight Castle in Aberdeenshire: A Visitor's Guide

Venture into Gight Castle, Aberdeenshire, the ancestral home of Lord Byron. Explore its rich history, ghostly tales, and...

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Fyvie Castle: A Historical Jewel in North East Scotland

Learn about its 13th-century origins, architectural wonders, and intriguing legends as you journey through this Scottish...

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Rait Castle, a lesser known castle just south of Nairn

My wife and I visit the ruin of Rait Castle, the site of an infamous massacre in 1442 between Clan Cumming and Mackintos...

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Brodie Castle: Scotland's Historical Jewel in Moray

Explore Brodie Castle in Moray, Scotland. Discover its rich history, architectural splendor, and legacy of Clan Brodie....

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Our visit to Culzean Castle: History, Tips & Highlights

Explore Culzean Castle with our comprehensive guide. Uncover hidden gems, and get expert tips for a memorable visit....

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Greenan Castle: Visiting this Historic Site in Ayrshire

This guide offers practical tips for visiting, and suggestions for capturing the perfect photograph. A hidden gem....

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Dunure Castle: From Ancient Ruins to Outlander Fame

A visit to Dunure Castle, an ancient Scottish ruin with connections to the Kennedys of Carrick and the Outlander TV seri...

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Scotland's Cawdor Castle: A Journey into History and Myth

Explore Cawdor Castle's rich history, unique architecture, and mythical connection to Shakespeare's Macbeth....

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What is the oldest castle in Scotland?

An overview of the very oldest castles in Scotland, from lesser-known Castle Sween to the famous Edinburgh Castle. ...

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Fort George near Inverness: A Tourist's Guide

Explore Fort George's rich history, architectural marvels, and the Highlanders' Museum at this 18th-century fortress....

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The ruin of Rothes Castle, overlooking Rothes in Moray

There isn't much left to see of Rothes Castle, but it's a nice place to visit in Rothes in central Moray while travellin...

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The ruin of Bernera Barracks, near Glenelg.

The Bernera Barracks serve as a reminder of the government's efforts to assert control after the 1715 Jacobite uprising....

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Guisachan House near Tomich and Glen Affric

Guisachan House, a fine mansion built in mid 1800s by Lord Tweedmouth. Famous as the birthplace of the golden retriever...

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Castle Roy near Nethy Bridge in the Scottish Highlands

A visit with my family to Castle Roy, just north of Nethy Bridge. Built by the powerful Comyn family around 1200!...

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Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness

We visit one of Scotland's most popular castles on the west side of Loch Ness, near Drumnadrochit....

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My favourite castle in Scotland - Duffus Castle

A magical ancient motte and bailey style castle ruin, jutting out of the Moray landscape near Lossiemouth....

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A guide to the best castles to visit in Moray, northeast Scotland

A short guide to the best castles in Moray, tower houses, motte and bailey keeps and the traditional baronial style, Mor...

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A Complete Guide to Stirling, Scotland

Known as the Gateway to the Highlands, Stirling is one of Scotland's most historically significant cities. From the migh...

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Carn Liath Iron Age Broch near Golspie, Sutherland.

An ancient broch not far from Golspie and Dunrobin Castle. Carn Liath is around 2000 years old and is a fascinating pla...

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Old Inverlochy Castle in Fort William near the River Lochy

A quick visit to the fantastic ruin of Old Inverlochy Castle, a 13th-century ruin built by the powerful Comyn family....

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Drumin Castle ruin within the Glenlivet Estate

A little hidden gem of a castle once owned by the Wolf of Badenoch, a worthy detour from the A95 main road....

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Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens in south Moray

A family-owned 16th-century castle on a large estate with golf, shooting, stalking and fishing. Fantastic gardens and s...

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Lochindorb Castle, a focal point in history in the east Highlands.

Once home to Edward Longshanks and the Wolf of Badenoch, Lochindorb Castle is steeped in medieval history!...

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A visit to the ruin of Auchindoun Castle near Dufftown in Moray

A 600 year old castle on a hilly prominence near Dufftown in Moray. Lets look at the car park and directions to this am...

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The ruin of Elgin Cathedral, in Elgin, Moray

A short article about Elgin Cathedral, one of the finest examples of ecclesiastical architecture in north Scotland....

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Beauly Priory, ruin in the highlands of Scotland

The ruin of Beauly Priory, once home to Valliscaulian monastic monks from France. A great tourist attraction west of Inv...

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Redcastle ruin near Inverness<br>and Beauly

The ruin of Redcastle, situated on the Beauly Firth it is a wonderful castle and gardens to visit in The Black Isle....

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Dunrobin Castle – Scotland's Fairytale Highland Castle

Perched above stunning Versailles-inspired gardens overlooking the Moray Firth, Dunrobin Castle is the largest house in ...

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Skelbo Castle, overlooking Loch Fleet in Sutherland

A charming ruin of a Scottish Castle located near Dornoch in the north of Scotland. Currently owned by a Russian billion...

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Balvenie Castle, a ruined castle near Dufftown in Moray.

An article about the ruin of Balvenie Castle near Dufftown and Glenfiddich Distillery in the county of Moray....

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Boyne Castle, a dangerous ruin but a true hidden gem

Exploring the extremely ruinous Boyne Castle, reclaimed by nature, near Portsoy, Aberdeenshire...

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Ruthven Barracks, Highlands

A free-to-visit Jacobite ruin above Strathspey, built in 1719 and destroyed by retreating Jacobites after Culloden. Atmo...

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Outlander Filming Locations around Scotland

Just a few of the fantastic filming locations I have visited in Scotland from the hit TV show Outlander....

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Visit to the Kinloss Abbey Ruins & Cemetery in Moray

Ruins of Kinloss Abbey dating from the 13th century, one of Scotland's largest and wealthiest religious houses in Scotla...

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A budget conscious collection of free things to do in Edinburgh

A visit to Edinburgh need not be expensive, here are some free activities you can do on your visit....

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Findlater Castle on the Moray Firth Coast, near Banff

A crumbling ruin of castle situated on the Moray coast near Cullen with a fascinating history and link to Mary Queen of ...

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