Nowhere does castles fairly like Scotland. Right here you will discover a few of the most stunning fortresses on the planet, with wealthy histories and breathtaking scenic backdrops.
Every of them tells its personal story of our nation, century after century – from clans to royalty, uprisings, invasions, and conflict. And plenty of of them have starred in major TV shows and films – from Recreation of Thrones to Outlander and even James Bond.
We requested readers on our Destination Scotland Fb group their favorite castles in Scotland – that is what they mentioned.
Discovered on a tidal island within the western Highlands, Eilean Donan Citadel is an iconic Scottish fortress which is regarded as one of the crucial photographed monuments in Scotland. Constructed within the thirteenth Century, it will grow to be the stronghold of Clan Mackenzie. The fortress has featured in plenty of Hollywood movies, together with Highlander, The World is Not Sufficient, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Photograph: Getty Photos
Stirling Citadel, pictured right here with snow coated mountains Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich within the distance, is without doubt one of the largest and most vital castles in Scotland. Sitting strategically on Citadel Hill, a part of a 350 million-year-old rock formation, the fortress has seen at the least eight sieges – together with an unsuccessful one by Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Photograph: Michael Gillen
Constructed on the plug of an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Citadel has excellent views of the Capital metropolis. This spot has been a fortress since at the least the Iron Age, and has been central to numerous key moments in Scotland’s historical past, from the Wars of Independence to the Jacobite Rebellion. It serves because the backdrop for the well-known Edinburgh Navy Tattoo and is alleged to be the UK’s second most-visited attraction.
Photograph: Getty Photos
Perching on a 160ft rock formation over the North Sea, the dramatic ruins of Dunnottar Citadel are an unforgettable sight to behold. As soon as the formidable fortress of the Earls Marischal, this picturesque fortress can also be well-known for being the hiding place of the Scottish Crown Jewels from Oliver Cromwell’s military.
Photograph: Getty Photos