Castles

Castles

Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe

Kilchurn Castle is a ruined 15th century castle built in 1450 on the northeastern end of Loch Awe, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

It was the ancestral home of the Campbells of Glenorchy, who later became the Earls of Breadalbane also known as the Breadalbane family branch, of the Clan Campbell. The earliest construction on the castle was the towerhouse and Laich Hall (looks onto Loch Awe). Today, its picturesque setting and romantic state of decay make it one of the most photographed structures in Scotland. It was occupied variously by the Campbell and its hereditarty keepers the MacGregors until a violent feud between the families led to the Campbells repossessing it.

Today it is unoccupied and accessible to visitors on foot where it makes a good stopping point for visitors to Argyll

The castle is now owned by the government and managed by a quango - Heritage Scotland.  You can find out about access arrangements here - although the site does not seem to work correctly.

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The Castle of St. John

Restored by Wigtown District Council and open to the public since 1990, the castle was built in 1510 by Ninian Adair of Kilhurst, one of the most powerful Lairds of Wigtownshire.

It passed to the Kennedys in 1591, was a Dalrymple of Stair property from 1680 and eventually passed to public ownership in 1815 when it was purchased by the Burgh of Stranraer. Standing four storeys tall, it was also used as the town gaol between 1815 and 1907. The Castle of St. John was restored in 1988/89 and reopened as a Visitor Centre in 1990

Opening Hours

    • The Castle will be closed in 2008 for building work**


Contact:

Castle of St John

Charlotte Street Stranraer Dumfries & Galloway DG9 7EJ Scotland

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Scottish Castles

Contents

Scottish Castles

our directory of Castles in Scotland.

Aberdour Castle

13th century fortified house with limited access in Fife.

Armadale Castle Gardens and Museum of the Isles

Armadale Castle Gardens & Museum of the Isles is set amidst breathtaking milieu within the Peninsula of the Isle of Skye.

Ayton Castle

This Victorian castle is a stunning red sandstone structure, now fully restored and lived in by the owners.

Ballindalloch Castle

Dating back to the 16th Century, this Castle is the family home of the MacPherson -Grants, lairds of Ballindalloch since 1546.

Balmoral Castle

Balmoral is open to visitors since March 2008. The DVD theatre would give a real insight into the workings of this 150 year old highland estate.


Balvenie castle

A fine 13th century castle of enclosure with a curtain wall, first owned by the Comyns. Balvenie was added to in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Blackness castle

Built in the 14th century and massively strengthened in the 16th century as an artillery fortress,Blackness castle is one of Scotland's most impressive strongholds.

Bothwell castle

The largest and finest 13th century stone castle in Scotland, much fought over during the Wars of Independence.

Brodick Castle And Country Park

The site of this ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton was a fortress even in Viking times.

Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock (Lark's Nest), Caerlaverock (Lark's Nest), one of Scotland's finest castles, is everyone's idea of a medieval fortress.


Cardoness Castle

Cardoness Castle is the well-preserved ruin of a tower house dating back to the 15th, the erstwhile home of the McCullochs.

Carnasserie Castle

A handsome combined tower house and hall, home of John Carswell, first protestant bishop of the Isles, and translator of the first book printed in Gaelic.


Carsluith Castle

Located at 3.5 miles south of Creetown, this castle is the delightful and well-preserved ruin of a four storied tower house of the C16th with C18th ranges of out-houses.


Castle Campbell

Formerly known as the Castle of Glooms, this castle is set amidst a stunning locale.

Castle Fraser

The most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland, and one of the grandest Castles of Mar, Castle Fraser was built between 1575 and 1636 by the 6th laird, Michael Frase.


Castle Lachlan

Some of the remnants of this castle may date back to the 12th century.

The Castle of St. John

The Castle of St. John, also known as the Chapel or Stranraer Castle is located in the centre of Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway.


Castle Stalker

A wonderfully picturesque oblong tower islanded at the mouth of Loch Laich, which can only be reached by boat. A wonderfully picturesque oblong tower islanded at the mouth of Loch Laich


Castle Sween

Castle Sween is a late 11th or 12th Century Castle with later additions, probably the oldest stone castle on the Scottish mainland.

Cawdor Castle

A fairytale castle that has been the home of the Thanes of Cawdor since its construction in 1370.

Claypotts Castle

This 16th century tower house has circular towers at diagonally opposite corners, corbelled out to form overhanging cap houses.

Corgarff Castle

A 16th Century tower house, converted into a barracks for Government troops in 1748 to control the smuggling of illicit whisky.


Craigievar Castle

This fairytale-like castle, an example of the best of Scottish Baronial architecture, seems to have grown naturally out of the beautiful rolling hillsides of Aberdeenshire.


Craignethan Castle

Nestled along the banks of the River Nethan, the oldest part of the castle dates back to the 16th century, a tower house built by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart.

Crathes Castle

The castle, dating back to the second half of the 16th century, is a stunning example of a tower house of the period.


Crichton Castle

It is a large and sophisticated castle with a spectacular facade of faceted stonework in an Italian style added between 1581 and 1591.

Culzean Castle And Country Parke Castle

Robert Adam converted a rather ordinary fortified tower house into this elegant bachelor residence for David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis, between 1777 and 1792.

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Moniack Castle

Moniack Castle

Address: HIGHLAND WINERIES, Moniack Castle, INVERNESS IV5 7PQ

Description of Moniack Castle

Moniack Castle incorporates a 17th-century L-plan tower house, consisting of a main block of three storeys and a two-storey wing, which has been much altered over the centuries. It was a property of the Frasers of Lovat. Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, lived here. He was an active Jacobite, although he was imprisoned in France and supported the government in the 1715. He took part in the 1745 Rising, but was captured, tried and executed in 1747. In the grounds of the caste is a carved Pictish stone, bearing a bird-headed man carrying a club as well as prehistoric cup and ring marks. Highland Wineries is based at the castle, and Moniack Castle now gives its name to a range of wines and foods, including elderflower and silver birch, and mead and sloe gin, and there are also meat and game preserves. There is also a wine bar and bistro.

Directions to Moniack

On A862, 7 miles SW of Inverness, Moniack, Kirkhill

Rating ***

Opening Hours Open Mar-Oct, daily 10.00-17.00, closed Sun; Nov-Feb, 11.00-16.00.

Phone 01463 831283

Fax 01463 831419

Type Castle / Winery

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Culzean Castle And Country Parke Castle

Contents

This Italian castle has also a Roman viaduct and Ruined Arch to add up to its style set atop a spectacular clifftop.

The castle has been marvelously restored by the Trust. It contains a rich collection of paintings and furniture, and a display of weapons in the Armoury. The Circular Saloon has a superb panoramic view over the Firth of Clyde and the beautiful Oval Staircase is Robert Adams final masterpiece of interior design.

In 1945 the top floor was gifted away to General Eisenhower as a token of Scotlands recognition of his role during World War II. His apartment now houses a small country house hotel. The Georgian Kitchen gives a glimpse of life below stairs 200 years ago.

Educational programmes and tours are available. Through the Clocktower Courtyard, a coach-house and stables have been converted into the Castle Shop and Old Stables Coffee House.

The Country Park

Set up in 1969, this is the first country park of Scotland and is a treasure trove of natural and historical information. The woodland would take the visitor to the Deer Park, along the Cliff Walk or to the many restored estate buildings, such as the Ruined Arch and Viaduct, beautiful Camellia House and unique Pagoda. Garden areas include the terraced Fountain Court and the Walled Garden with its redesigned pleasure garden and impressive reconstructed Victorian Vinery.

The Visitor Centre, includes the Home Farm Restaurant, the Home Farm Shop, the Country Park Shop and Plant Centre. The new auditorium and exhibition at the Visitor Centre explain the history of Culzean and the Trusts conservation work. The Gas House, Ice House and Swan Pond are the other attractions.

Opening Hours

Castle and Walled Garden: 30 March to 31 Oct, daily 10.305 (last entry 4). Country Park: all year, daily 9.30sunset. Visitor Centre: 30 March to 31 Oct, daily 9.305.30; 1 Nov to 29 March, Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun 114. Other visitor facilities: 30 March to 31 Oct, daily 10.305.30.


contact

Enquiries

Maybole South Ayrshire Ayrshire KA19 8LE Scotland

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Cawdor Castle

A fairytale castle that has been the home of the Thanes of Cawdor since its construction in 1370.

Dotted with enchanting gardens, verdant nature trails and golf course, it is popular among tourists. There is also a restaurant, gift shop, snack bar and picnic area.

Contact:

The Dowager Countess Cawdor

Cawdor Castle Ltd Nairn Inverness-shire IV12 5RD Scotland

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Castle Lachlan

The walls of this castle in some places stand 47ft high by 72 ft long. The MacLachlans are believed to have had possession of lands in Strathlachlan for over 900 years, and a one-time Chief was a close friend of King Robert the Bruce of Scotland.


Contact:

Mrs Mary Jewison

Castle Lachlan Strathlachlan Argyll PA27 8BU Scotland

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Carsluith Castle

The delightful and well-preserved ruin of a four storied tower house of the C16th with C18th ranges of out-houses, originally linked to outbuildings.

One of the owners of this castle was the last abbot of Sweetheart Abbey. Vistors can see the interiors as keys available during standard opening times.


Contact:

Mr Stuart McLean

Carnasserie Castle Kilmartin Argyll PA31 8RQ Scotland

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Cardoness Castle

The architectural details inside the tower are of a high quality and there are good views over Fleet Bay from the battlements.

New scale model and exhibition.Some fine stone carvings in the great hall can be touched up one flight of stairs.

A steep path and six flights of steps lead to the monument. There is no access for those using wheelchairs and the castle is not recommended for visitors with walking or breathing difficulties.

At the top of the hill the ground levels out. Benches allow an opportunity to rest and enjoy the superb view and there is one interpretation board. A 30° ramp leads to the ground floor of the property but all staircases are spiral.

Contact:

The Steward Gatehouse of Fleet Dumfries & Galloway DG7 2EH Scotland

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