Best Castles In Scotland: Stay In Castle In Scotland
The Best Castles in Scotland: A Journey Through Time
Scotland is a wonderful country in the north of England filled with beautiful sights, rich history, and famous Scottish castles. Over the centuries, these grand castles have been the witnesses and sometimes there are numerous castles in Scotland such as Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, and Eilean Donan. These castles tell a lot about Scotland; their history, the geographical structure, and the royal backgrounds they portray draw tourists from all parts of the globe. Here are some of Scotland’s most famous and Best Castle In Scotland that you should not miss …
Must Visit Best places to visit in Scotland
1. Edinburgh Castle – The Most Famous Castle in Scotland’s Capital
The so-called top best castles in Scotland deserve attention, and the first and likely the most famous castle in Scotland is Edinburgh Castle. Standing high on a volcanic outcrop, this graceful castle has been the monarch of Edinburgh’s skyline for about seven hundred years. It has been used for royal celebrations, or war and holds the Scottish Crown Jewels.
- Location: Edinburg
- Highlights: Crown Jewels, St. Margaret’s Chapel, panoramic views of Edinburgh.
- Why Visit: Being one of the most visited castles in Scotland and a symbol of Scottish history, the castle is a must-see place for any traveler.
Stay In Edinburgh Castle In Scotland
One cannot spend the night at Edinburgh Castle, it is a historic site and people can visit narrow corridors but cannot book any rooms there. Nevertheless, there are tens of luxurious hotels and guesthouses nearby that provide a view of the castle and the surrounding territory: for instance, the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – the Caledonian or the Balmoral Hotel. These hotels give a teak of Scottish history, luxury and comfort all while keeping you close to this famous fortress.
For those wishing to stay in a castle, there are other real castles in Scotland, for example, Dalhousie Castle near Edinburgh, where tourists can rent special rooms and suites within a castle that combines a historically filled atmosphere and all the comforts of the twenty-first century.
2. Stirling Castle – A Gateway to Scotland’s History
One can easily suppose it is one of the best castles in Scotland; Stirling Castle has a long history behind it. As one of the most important fortresses in Scottish history, this castle seems to be one of the most active witnesses of several fights including the Bannockburn fight.
- Location: Stirling
- Highlights: The Great Hall, Renaissance architecture, and views of the Wallace Monument.
- Why Visit: This in itself makes Stirling Castle one of the best castles in Scotland for anyone interested in the struggle for Scotland’s independence. The great castle in Scotland has played roles in major battles like the Battle of Bannockburn.
Stay In Stirling Castle In Scotland
Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most famous historical landmarks, but you cannot stay overnight there, as it is a protected heritage site and is open for tours only. The castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland, and its primary focus is on preservation and education rather than accommodation.
As for purchasing Stirling Castle, it is not available for sale, as it is a national treasure and legally protected. However, nearby luxury hotels and estates offer castle-style stays, with prices ranging from £150 to £500 per night, depending on the location and amenities offered.
3. Eilean Donan Castle – The Most Photographed Castle in Scotland
Overlooking the water at the junction of three sea lochs it is arguably one of the beautiful and internationally recognizable castles in Scotland. Its site of location making it border both mountains and water makes it among the best Scottish castles for photography and especially for historians.
- Location: Kyle of Lochalsh, Western Highlands
- Highlights: Scenic waterfront, 13th-century history, and family-friendly exhibitions
- Why Visit: Also termed as the most photographed castle, the castle offers amazing views and rather a good past and that would give anyone interested in the best castles in Scotland a reason to visit the castle.
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Stay In Eilean Donan Castle In Scotland
Eilean Donan Castle which is one of Scotland’s most photographed castles and bothies does not provide accommodation to visitors because, apart from the presence of Historic Scotland, it serves as a tourist attraction. Just like what has been mentioned, the castle belongs to the Conchra Charitable Trust and it is meant for conservation purposes hence cannot be bought.
As you can understand, it is impossible to stay in the castle – nevertheless, local hotels provide excellent views of the castle and the area. Eilean Donan Cottage, which is situated on the castle’s territory, suits tourists interested in a more thrilling accommodation kind; the prices to spend the night there start from £200. Other options for sightseeing are the hotel rooms which offer comfort and the views of a real castle in the vicinity.
4. Dunnottar Castle – A Dramatic Coastal Fortress
Located along the edge of the North Sea coastline, Dunnottar Castle is arguably one of the most well-known & distinctive castles in Scotland. This is a well known historic castle of the Middle Ages and has many stories to tell including its use as a secret hiding place for the Crown Jewels and withstanding the Scots rebellion.
- Location: Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
- Highlights: Coastal views, medieval ruins, rich military history.
- Why Visit: When it comes to visiting a castle in Scotland but with less touch of modernity and more of a natural look, Dunnottar Castle is a perfect example of a castle worth visiting.
Stay In Dunnottar Castle In Scotland
Dunnottar Castle, which is situated on the rocky cliff of Aberdeenshire, is well known as a historical piece of architecture and an open-air tourist attraction but it does not have facilities for overnight accommodation. It is currently used for sightseeing and tours are allowed, but the castle does not have any of the accommodation services because it has been left in its ruined state.
Dunnottar Castle is a splendid place and is privately owned and cannot be bought even for millions of pounds as this castle is regarded as a pride of Scotland and it is full of history. For those who wish to be closer to Dunnottar, there are available charming hotels and guesthouses and the price ranges up to £300 per night and sometimes less than £100 depending on the location and the offered amenities.
5. Urquhart Castle – By the Mysterious Loch Ness
Despite the fact, that it is considered to be one of the most famous castles in Scotland because of its relation with Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle attracts tourists to see the breathtaking panorama of the loch and explore the Scottish medieval past. It is also the right place to go in search of dinosaurs, especially the Loch Ness monster.
- Location: Loch Ness, Inverness-shire
- Highlights: Loch Ness views, medieval ruins, and reenactments.
- Why Visit: Interlinking the legend and the history, Urquhart Castle has to be one of the most fascinating castles in Scotland for lovers of myth and history,
Stay In Urquhart Castle In Scotland
6. Balmoral Castle – The Royal Family’s Scottish Residence
- Location: Aberdeenshire
- Highlights: Victorian architecture, extensive gardens, and royal history.
- Why Visit: The Balmoral Castle is one of the most prominent castles in Scotland that belongs to the royal family and continues to be used by them so it has the combination of uniqueness, luxury, and privacy.
Stay In Balmoral Castle In Scotland
Although the Queen and her family live in Balmoral Castle, a private country house in Scotland, it is not a hotel where tourists and travelers can rent a room for a night in the main castle building. However, there are a few cottages in the estate that can be rented for holidays for instance the Colt Cottages and Connachat Cottage. They cost between £700 and £1,600 per week depending on the time of the year and the number of people in the group.
This means that Balmoral Castle, being the royal estate is not available for sale, as it remains a working palace with a great historical and cultural value. It is open to the public and a person can go round the palace and some of the rooms inside especially if the royal family is not at home.
7. Inveraray Castle – A Fairytale Castle in the Highlands
Inveraray Castle looks like a place from a fairytale owing to its gorgeous exterior and dramatic surroundings that include magnificent gardens and it is one of the best known castles in Scotland. It also provided the setting as the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll as well as the center for exploring the history of Clan Campbell.
- Location: Argyll and Bute
- Highlights: Grand interiors, Clan Campbell artifacts, and lush gardens.
- Why Visit: This romantic-looking castle and its history make it among the best castles in Scotland for beauty seekers and history lovers.
Stay In Inveraray Castle In Scotland
This is a beautiful castle which is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, which as far as I am aware, does not offer overnight accommodation within the main castle for tourists. However, arranging with the castle brings benefits such as it can organize a private tour or an event for the client only. Accommodation facilities that are closely situated are the cottages within the castle or nearby hotels in Inveraray. Trends in accommodation vary with prices of the local lodging being £100 to £400 per night depending on the type of lodging and the facilities available in the house.
Inveraray Castle is a family home owned by Campbells and there is no intention of selling Inveraray Castle. Today it is one of the oldest estates in Great Britain still functioning as a residence and also a sensational cultural object visited by tourists seasonally.
8. Castle Fraser – A Hidden Gem of Scottish Castles
Although less popular than others, Castle Fraser is a beautiful example of the Scottish tower house and is recommended as one of the best castles to visit in Scotland for those who do not like the crowded atmosphere. Featuring such facilities as winding staircases, secret trapdoors, and marvelous gardens, it provides the guests with the touch of the Scottish history experience.
- Location: Aberdeenshire
- Highlights: Hidden rooms, expansive gardens, and ghost stories.
- Why Visit: If you’re looking for a famous castle in Scotland off the beaten path, Castle Fraser is the perfect spot to explore Scottish history in a more intimate setting.
Stay In Castle Fraser In Scotland
You cannot stay overnight in Castle Fraser, as it is a historical site managed by the National Trust for Scotland. However, it offers private event rentals like weddings. The castle is not for sale due to its heritage status. Nearby accommodations range from £100 to £300 per night.
FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. In which Scottish castle is The Traitors shot?
Ardross Castle in the Highlands of Scotland is the location where most of The Traitors was shot.
2. On which maps is Balmoral Castle located in Scotland located?
Balmoral Castle is situated in Aberdeenshire, in northern Scotland, to be more precise in the Cairngorms National Park.
3. Who does the Insurgent’s castle in Scotland belong to?
Ardross Castle is private property and is used for weddings and all sorts of parties.
4. Which castle did Queen Mother purchase in Scotland?
The Queen Mother bought The Castle of Mey in Caithness, Scotland, in the year, 1952.
5. What do you have to pay for a night in a castle in Scotland?
Staying in a Scottish castle can cost as little as £150 or may go up to £800 or even more per night depending on the castle and location and standard of facilities provided and other factors.
6. In case of visiting the castle in Scotland what should do or where should go?
To spend your night or holiday in such a castle, one has to go for online reservations through certain websites or contact the owners of the castle estates. Most of them offer luxurious rooms while others offer castle self-catering cottages.
7. What does it cost to rent a castle in Scotland?
Hiring a Castle for events or an exclusive vacation can be anywhere between £3,000 to £20,000+ per night depending on the size, location, and gender of the event.
8. Which castle did the Queen Mother purchase in Scotlands?
Thus, Queen Victoria’s mother purchased The Castle of Mey.
9. In which of the Scottish castles did The Traitors shoot?
‘The Traitors’ shown in the series was filmed at Ardross Castle which is near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.
10. Where can I Rent a Castle in Scotland?
A few of these are Dalhousie Castle & Inverlochy Castle and Fonab Castle which provide luxurious castles to stay in across the country.
11. Even the number of castles in said country has remained uncertain; How many castles are in Scotland?
A seemingly realistic fact is that **over two thousand castles exist** in Scotland with the least in the shape of mere ruins to the advanced state of functioning homes.
12. How much to purchase a castle for sale in Scotland?
A castle needs a big amount of money to own; the average price to buy a castle ranges from £500,000 to £10 million+.
13. Which of the Scotland castles is the earliest known?
The Dunvegan Castle at the Isle of Skye is the oldest castle which has been in use as a home at present as well as in the past century.
14. What is the price tag on a castle in Scotland?
A castle in Scotland can therefore cost anywhere between half a million pounds up to millions of pounds depending with its state and area of location.
15. There are quite several castles in Scotland, how many exactly though I wouldn’t want to give out Wrong.
As of now, Scotland boasts of more than 2000 castles.
16. What is the price for a castle in Scotland?
Larger castles, and those that are in better condition, can be bought in Scotland for anywhere between £500 000 and several million pounds.
18. I am wondering where Fraser Castle is located in Scotland.
Castle Fraser being a Fraser family residence is found in Aberdeenshire in the Northeast of Scotland, close to town of Inverurie.
19. Where is the castle that has been used to film The Traitors in Scotland?
The Traitors was filmed on Ardross Castle situated in the Scottish Highlands.
Final Thoughts: Defining and Understanding the Top and Popular Castle Sites across the British Scott Township
From the majestic Edinburgh Castle to the magical Eilean Donan or from Urquhart castle or the Doune Castle and many more Scotland boasts of some of the most famous castles in the world. If it is history, building design, stunning views, or overall architectural beauty that interests you then you are sure to be rewarded with lasting memories of the finest castles of Scotland. Every castle reveals the feel of Scotland’s history and history lovers should consider themselves lucky to visit a few of these castles.
