Scotland’s Hidden Castles
Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle are spectacular, world-famous, and rightfully among Scotland’s top attractions. But Scotland has hundreds of castles, ranging from grand fortified palaces to romantic ruins perched on remote headlands. Many of these lesser-known castles are equally dramatic, often more atmospheric, and blessedly free of crowds.
This guide reveals 10 Scottish castles that most visitors miss. Some are well-preserved tower houses, others atmospheric ruins, all offer genuine insight into Scotland’s turbulent history.
1. Dunnottar Castle
Dunnottar Castle is perhaps Scotland’s most spectacularly sited castle. Perched on a rocky headland on the north-east coast, the castle is virtually surrounded by the North Sea. The approach alone is dramatic—cliffs rise sheer from the sea, with the castle seemingly defying gravity on its rocky promontory.
What makes Dunnottar special is its romantic ruin quality. The castle is roofless but the walls remain impressive, creating the classic romantic ruin aesthetic that inspired countless paintings and photographs. The history is equally impressive—this is where the Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden from Cromwell’s army for eight months during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
Location: Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, AB39 2TL
Access: Park at Dunnottar Woods and walk (15 minutes) along the cliff path. There’s a chargeable car park closer (chargeable).
Opening: Daily 9am-6pm (summer), 9:30am-5:30pm (winter)
Cost: £12 adult, £10 concession, £6 child
What to expect: Steep climb up from the car park. Spectacular views throughout the site. Allow 1-2 hours for full visit.
Photography: Sunrise or sunset offers the best light. The castle silhouette against the sea is particularly dramatic.
Historical significance: Dunnottar was a stronghold of the Keith family for centuries. The castle’s defences were tested repeatedly, surviving numerous sieges thanks to its dramatic location.
2. Castle Stalker
Castle Stalker is perhaps Scotland’s most photogenic castle—a four-storey tower house on a small island in Loch Linnhe, connected to the mainland only at low tide. The castle appears in countless Scottish photographs, its reflection in the loch creating perfect symmetry.
What makes Castle Stalker special is its isolation and completeness. Unlike many Scottish castles that are romantic ruins, Stalker is a relatively intact tower house that gives a genuine sense of how medieval Scots lived. The castle is privately owned and only accessible by pre-booked tours, which adds to its exclusivity.
Location: Near Appin, Argyll and Bute, PA38 4DT
Access: Viewing from the shore is free and offers excellent photographs. Tours require advance booking via the official website.
Opening: Viewable 24/7 from shore; tours limited to specific dates (check website)
Cost: Viewing free; tours £25 per person (boat transfer and guide)
What to expect: Short boat ride to the island (if touring). The interior is intimate and atmospheric, offering genuine insight into castle life.
Film connection: Castle Stalker appeared in the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (the “Castle Aaaargh” scene).
3. Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn Castle is one of Scotland’s most picturesque ruins, beautifully situated on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe. The castle is a classic example of Scottish castle architecture—a tower house with later additions, now roofless but with substantial walls remaining.
What makes Kilchurn special is its setting and accessibility. The castle sits by the loch shore, surrounded by mountains that create a spectacular backdrop. Unlike many remote castles, Kilchurn is easily accessible by car and a short walk, making it perfect for a quick but rewarding visit.
Location: Loch Awe, Argyll and Bute, PA33 1AR
Access: Park in the lay-by on the A819 and walk (10 minutes) along the shore path.
Opening: Daily (key access required during off-season; key available from Dalmally station)
Cost: Free ( Historic Scotland property but unstaffed)
What to expect: Short walk across fields to reach the castle. Interior exploration is limited due to safety concerns but the exterior is magnificent.
Seasonal note: The castle can be surrounded by loch water after heavy rain. Check conditions before visiting.
Photography: Early morning offers the best light, with mountains reflecting in the loch.
4. Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan is arguably Scotland’s most iconic castle—the quintessential Scottish castle that appears on everything from shortbread tins to calendars. A small tidal island connected to the mainland by a stone bridge, the castle is romantically sited at the meeting point of three sea lochs.
What makes Eilean Donan special is its completeness. This isn’t a romantic ruin but a fully restored castle, with furnished rooms that give genuine insight into 17th-18th century Scottish life. The restoration, completed in the 1930s, was meticulous, using original materials and traditional techniques.
Location: Dornie, Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8DX
Access: Car park on mainland, short walk across bridge.
Opening: Daily 10am-6pm (summer), 10am-4pm (winter)
Cost: £14 adult, £12.50 concession, £7.50 child
What to expect: Well-organised visitor centre and castle interior. Allow 1.5-2 hours. The café offers good food and loch views.
Film connection: Eilean Donan has appeared in numerous films including “Highlander” and James Bond’s “The World Is Not Enough.”
Note: This is one of Scotland’s most popular castles—expect crowds, especially in summer.
5. Caerlaverock Castle
Caerlaverock Castle is unique among Scottish castles for its triangular plan. Built in the 13th century, the castle is a remarkable example of medieval military architecture, with massive walls, towers, and a deep moat that once protected it from attackers.
What makes Caerlaverock special is its completeness and accessibility. Unlike many Scottish castles that are romantic ruins, Caerlaverock’s walls remain substantially intact, giving visitors a real sense of the castle’s defensive capabilities. The site also has an excellent visitor centre explaining castle life.
Location: Near Dumfries, DG1 4RU
Access: Car park on site, short walk to castle.
Opening: Daily 9:30am-5:30pm (summer), 9:30am-4:30pm (winter)
Cost: £8 adult, £6.50 concession, £4.50 child
What to expect: Explorable walls, towers, and gatehouse. The interior is largely roofless but the architecture is magnificent.
Historical significance: Caerlaverock was a stronghold of the Maxwell family for centuries and saw significant action during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
6. Castle Tioram
Castle Tioram is a ruined castle sitting on a tidal island in Loch Moidart on Scotland’s west coast. Remote, atmospheric, and romantic, it’s one of Scotland’s most beautifully situated castles, surrounded by mountains and sea.
What makes Tioram special is its isolation and sense of timelessness. The castle can only be reached by walking across a causeway at low tide, adding to its mystery. The site is unstaffed and uninterpreted—you’re free to explore the ruins at your own pace, imagining the lives of the clan chiefs who once lived here.
Location: Near Acharacle, Lochaber, PH36 4JB
Access: Park at the end of the public road and walk (10 minutes) across the tidal causeway (low tide only).
Opening: 24/7 access (tide permitting)
Cost: Free (no facilities, no visitor centre)
Safety warning: The causeway floods at high tide. Check tide times before visiting. Do not attempt to cross when the causeway is submerged.
What to expect: Ruined but substantial walls, spectacular views, complete isolation. No facilities whatsoever—bring everything you need.
Clan history: Tioram was the stronghold of the Clan MacDonald of Clanranald, one of the most powerful clans in the Highlands.
7. Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle is something different—a lived-in castle that has been home to the Cawdor family for over 600 years. Unlike many Scottish castles that are romantic ruins or restored museums, Cawdor is a genuine family home with furnishings, paintings, and gardens that reflect centuries of occupation.
What makes Cawdor special is its authenticity. The castle isn’t a museum but a house that people still live in. The rooms are intimate and comfortable, not grand and institutional. The gardens are also magnificent—formal flower gardens, a wild garden, and excellent woodland walks.
Location: Nairn, IV12 5RD
Access: Car park on site, short walk to castle.
Opening: Daily 10am-5:30pm (May-Oct), closed Nov-April
Cost: £16 adult, £14.50 concession, £10 child
What to expect: Guided castle tour (approximately 45 minutes), extensive gardens to explore at leisure. Allow 2-3 hours total.
Literary connection: Cawdor Castle is connected (somewhat tenuously) to Shakespeare’s Macbeth—the real 11th-century Thane of Cawdor is a distant ancestor of the current family.
Note: This is one of the few Scottish castles that genuinely feels like a home, not a museum.
8. Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle is one of Scotland’s most visited but surprisingly underappreciated castles. Situated on the shores of Loch Ness, the castle offers spectacular views over the loch and is famous for being one of the best places to spot the legendary monster.
What makes Urquhart special is its scale and setting. The castle is a substantial ruin with towers, walls, and a great hall that give a real sense of medieval castle life. The visitor centre is excellent, with displays about castle life and the history of the area.
Location: Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness, IV63 6XJ
Access: Car park on site, short walk to castle.
Opening: Daily 9:30am-6pm (summer), 9:30am-4:30pm (winter)
Cost: £12.50 adult, £10 concession, £7.50 child
What to expect: Substantial ruins with excellent interpretation. The Grant Tower offers great views over Loch Ness.
Loch Ness: If you’re hoping to spot Nessie, bring binoculars and patience. The loch is notoriously reluctant to reveal its secrets.
Note: Urquhart is one of Scotland’s most visited castles—expect crowds, especially at weekends and in summer.
9. Dirleton Castle
Dirleton Castle is a medieval fortress with remarkable gardens. The castle itself is a romantic ruin—substantial walls, towers, and a deep moat—but it’s the gardens that truly set it apart. The gardens include one of the world’s longest herbaceous borders, a Victorian garden, and a beautiful formal garden.
What makes Dirleton special is the combination of castle and gardens. Most Scottish castles either have minimal landscaping or only basic grounds. Dirleton’s gardens are exceptional, creating a unique visitor experience—historic architecture combined with carefully curated horticulture.
Location: Dirleton, East Lothian, EH39 5DP
Access: Car park in Dirleton village, short walk to castle.
Opening: Daily 9:30am-5:30pm (summer), 9:30am-4:30pm (winter)
Cost: £8 adult, £6.50 concession, £4.50 child
What to expect: Explorable castle ruins combined with beautiful gardens. Allow 1.5-2 hours.
Gardens: The herbaceous border (over 200 metres long) is particularly spectacular in summer. The Victorian garden includes glasshouses and exotic plants.
Accessibility: Much of the site is accessible to wheelchairs, though some castle areas have stairs.
10. Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle is a different kind of Scottish castle—more stately home than fortified stronghold. Located on the Isle of Arran, the castle is surrounded by magnificent gardens and parkland with views across the Firth of Clyde.
What makes Brodick special is its setting on the Isle of Arran and its dual nature as both historic castle and comfortable house. The interior is lavishly furnished, with rooms preserved from the Victorian era when the castle was transformed by the Hamilton family. The gardens are equally impressive, with rhododendrons in spring and formal borders in summer.
Location: Isle of Arran, KA27 8HY
Access: Ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick (55 minutes). Castle is 1 mile from the ferry terminal.
Opening: Daily 10am-5pm (summer), 10am-4pm (winter)
Cost: £17 adult, £14.50 concession, £10 child (includes castle and gardens)
What to expect: Guided house tour, extensive gardens to explore, coastal walks nearby. Allow 2-3 hours.
Getting there: The ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick runs frequently (check CalMac timetable). The crossing is scenic, with views of Ailsa Craig.
Isle of Arran: If visiting Brodick, allow at least a full day on Arran. The island has excellent walking, beaches, and other attractions.
Understanding Scottish Castle Architecture
Scottish castles fall into several types:
Tower Houses: Tall, narrow buildings, usually 3-5 storeys, built for residential use with some defensive capability. Common 14th-16th centuries.
Castellated Mansions: Later (16th-17th century) buildings with decorative crenellations but primarily residential.
Fortified Castles: Large, purpose-built military fortresses with extensive walls, towers, and defensive features. Common 13th-15th centuries.
Romantic Ruins: Castles abandoned and decayed, often roofless but with substantial remaining walls. Popular in Victorian era for their picturesque quality.
Castle Visiting Tips
Weather: Scottish castles are exposed. Bring waterproofs and layers, even on seemingly fine days.
Footwear: Castles have uneven ground, steps, and often slippery surfaces. Good walking shoes are essential.
Timing: Early morning or late afternoon offers fewer crowds and better lighting for photography.
Photography: Overcast days can be better for castle photography—soft, even light reveals details that harsh sunlight obscures.
Castle Etiquette
Respect boundaries: Don’t climb on walls or enter areas marked as closed.
Take only photographs: Don’t remove stones, artifacts, or other items.
Keep children safe: Many castles have steep drops or unfenced areas.
Support conservation: Consider joining Historic Scotland or the National Trust for Scotland—membership gives free access to many sites.
Planning Your Castle Tour
By region: Scotland’s castles are scattered across the country. Plan by region to minimise driving:
- Central Belt: Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace
- Highlands: Dunnottar, Cawdor, Urquhart, Castle Tioram
- Islands: Eilean Donan, Brodick, Dunstaffnage (Argyll)
- Borders: Caerlaverock, Dirleton, Tantallon
By type: Decide what interests you most—military fortresses, romantic ruins, or lived-in houses.
Seasonal Considerations
Summer (June-August): Best weather, most castles fully open, but crowds and higher prices.
Spring/Autumn (May/September-October): Fewer crowds, often good weather, some castles have reduced opening hours.
Winter (November-March): Many castles closed or reduced hours, but atmospheric in snow and mist. Check before travelling.
Combining Castles with Other Activities
Gardens: Many castles have excellent gardens (Dirleton, Cawdor, Brodick) that can be enjoyed separately from the castle interior.
Walking: Castles often have nearby walking routes with excellent views. Dunnottar and Kilchurn both have coastal/lochside paths.
Wildlife: Many castles are in good wildlife-watching areas. Castle Tioram offers sea eagle and otter spotting.
A Final Thought
Scotland’s castle heritage is deeper and more varied than Edinburgh and Stirling suggest. From remote island fortresses to romantic loch-side ruins, from lived-in family homes to strategic military strongholds, Scotland’s castles tell the story of a turbulent and fascinating history.
The castles in this guide offer something different from the tourist circuit—solitude, authenticity, and genuine historical significance. Some are spectacularly sited, others quietly atmospheric, all reward exploration.
Scotland is a country of castles, and you could spend a lifetime visiting them all. Start with these ten lesser-known examples and discover the magic of Scotland’s built heritage beyond the famous names.
The spirit of the Scottish clans and the drama of centuries of conflict are embedded in every stone and tower. These castles don’t just tell history—they embody it.
This guide reveals 10 Scottish castles away from the tourist circuit, from remote island fortresses to romantic loch-side ruins. From Dunnottar’s spectacular headland setting to Castle Stalker’s isolated island charm, from Cawdor’s lived-in authenticity to Kilchurn’s photogenic ruins, Scotland offers castle experiences far beyond Edinburgh and Stirling. Explore these hidden gems and discover Scotland’s deep castle heritage.