Fascinating Scottish Castles 

Scottish Castles.... there's really nothing else quite like them!

There have been over 3000 castles built in Scotland, that's roughly one for every 100 square miles, a pretty impressive figure.

Today, approximately half that number are still in existence.

Scotland contains some of the oldest (and most famous) castles in the world, and they each have a story to tell about this country's fascinating, but violent and turbulent, past.

Some castles in Scotland are still structurally intact, others are in various states or disrepair or remain only as ruins.

A number of them are are open to the public for viewing, or have been converted into hotels. A few are currently in use as private residences,

Every one of them is unique and fascinating.

These incredible structures stand as awe-inspiring monuments to the life of the Scottish people in centuries past.

Scottish Castles - In The Beginning

Scotland is an ancient country, and it's incredibly rich in history.

You have to go a LONG way back in time to find the first inhabitants of this land, all the way back to the 'Mesolithic' period in fact, around 7000 BC.

Of course, no castles existed at that time, and it wasn't until several thousand years later that people began to even build homes (basic wood/stone huts) rather than live in caves.

Then we have to move forward again, by approximately another 3,500 years, before the very earliest signs of 'fortifications' (early Forts) appear.

These were simple wood/stone structures and may have been the very first Scottish 'Castles'.

However, the oldest existing Scotland Castles today, go back to the 11th and 12th centuries, about the time that the Normans invaded Scotland.

That's plenty old enough for me though, and when you're standing inside one of these incredible structures you can almost feel the history seeping out of the ancient walls around you.

It's an experience no visitor to Scotland should miss.

Compelling...... formidable...... awe-inspiring...... magnificent...... intriguing..... mysterious..... haunting...... and sometimes even downright spooky!.

There are as many different words to describe the castles of Scotland as there are castles themselves - which is fitting as each one is unique in its' own right.

For me, Scottish castles are sort of like little slices of history, or maybe even individual pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and when you learn about each one you can start to see the whole picture (or 'pie' if we go with the 'slice' analogy).

The castles of Scotland ARE this countrys' history, and they're right here waiting for you to explore them.

The Where & Why of Scotland's Castles

Why does Scotland have so many castles? That's a fair question given how tiny the country actually is, but if you know anything about Scottish history the answer is pretty clear....

It's because this nation has a very contentious, battle-strew and bloody past, with numerous invasions (the Normans, vikings and Romans to name a few), and (until the 18th Century) an ongoing, almost continual, conflict between Scotland and the rest of Britain!

Although some were built at the location of previous fortresses, or abbeys, in general Scotland castles were built with military purposes in mind, and that's why you'll find them in some of the most spectacular locations.

Whether perched on the very edge of a cliff, with the ocean pounding the rocks far below; on an island at the meeting point of 3 deep lochs; on a 'spur' of ancient volcanic rock overlooking heather-covered glens; or on craggy snow-covered mountainsides; the locations were carefully chosen by 'canny' Scots.

Over the centuries some castles were destroyed during sieges or battles, others fell into disrepair and ruin due to abandonment or neglect. But the fact that so many castles are still standing is testament to the skill and foresight of the ancient Scottish people who built them.

Scottish castles are closely tied to the Clans of Scotland and the Scottish monarchy.

Many of these iconic castles were clan strongholds, the seat of the Clan chief or other important clan figures/family members.

Because of the volatile and turbulent nature of Scottish history (including considerable clan-rivalry), sometimes these castles would 'change hands' (often several times) between warring clans, and between governments and royalty.

Over the centuries, many of Scotland's castles were visited members of the royalty and famous Scottish people (such as Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace, various royalty and more), and they were often sought out as places of refuge and safety.

Today many of the castles that have been renovated and kept in good repair are still home to the 'landed gentry', the official 'seat' of a particular Scottish clan, or the birthplace or home of royalty.

So, although the castles of Scotland were mostly built during the period between the 11th - 14th centuries, they've proved themselves to be as strong and resilient as their creators intended.

They still stand strong and proud..... bearing witness not just to Scotland's' fascinating past, but to the tenacity, bravery and love of tradition that still lives in the heart of every Scot today!

Famous Scottish Castles

With over 3000 to choose from, making a 'short list' of Scotland castles is pretty much an impossible task.

There's a castle (or several castles!) to suit every taste... whether you prefer spectacular, windswept ruins or enchanting, 'fairytale' architecture.

But I made a valiant effort to pick out a handful of Scottish castles, ones that I feel will showcase the richness and diversity of these awesome structures. I hope you enjoy them.