I've visited a few of these, and agree with them being must visits. I've never heard of Linlithgow or the castle, so that would be a nice new hidden gem to visit. Having that personal connection probably made your visit even more special. Often we forget the tourist places we visit were actually used!
Yes, having that personal connection did make it special. I've been twice now and its different every time. It was my visit to Duffus Castle that made laugh though, after meeting Mrs. Duffus. Envisioning these places as homes brings it into perspective when you think of the era they were built in.
As someone who loves mansion tours, I also love castle tours. Though, the castles we have in America tend to be modeled after the castles in Europe - but nonetheless, i'll take it! I loved reading about your personal connection to Linlithgow Palace, and I can certainly relate when I visit a certain landmark or place that had a deep connection to a relative. It's also great to see how history is preserved, down to the heavy wooden doors at some of the locations.
OK, i'm adding Scotland as a place I need to visit!
There are so many fabulous castles in Scotland and I'm ashamed to say that, although we live in the UK, we have only visited a few of them. I like that you have included a diverse range of castles from the spectacular Dunrobin to the ruins of Urquhart and Duffus. We really love exploring ruined castles so those would be high priority. A post for us to bookmark for when we head up north on a future trip.
i visited Scotland many years ago but Edinburgh castle as well as Urquart left a long lasting impression on me. Your list has also a few new ones that I'd like to pin for my bucket list, such as Duffus Castle. Do you have any more information on how to secure tickets to Balmoral? The last information I had about it is that the tours are very limited and guided tours cost around the £50 mark.
Hi Carolin, The best information on Balmoral is directly on their site. Tickets are timed and booked online with a couple of options. There is even an option for afternoon tea. I read that this year, some additional rooms have been opened to the public. Like many popular places, tickets can sell out quickly. Hope that helps.
Given I grew up on the Scottish border I'm a little ashamed that I've only visited a small number of these impressive places. Dunrobin is high on my list, it's beautiful. And Duffus - I like a good castle ruins, so eerie and atmospheric. I haven't been to Edinburgh castle for a while but I might need to go back for what sounds like a really unique place for an afternoon tea
Thanks for this Scottish treat :-) I have always associated Sotland with castles and beautiful sceneries. I wish to visit it soon and have the chance to castle hop from Holyrood to Dunrobin to Balmoral and so on and every visit should conclude with a high tea fitting for a monarch lol ;-) #flyingbaguette
Such a beautiful compilation of Scottish Castles! I enjoyed this immensely. The photos are spectacular. Thank you for posting this excellent piece, Laura. Well done!
I always enjoy my Scottish adventures and have done many road trips around the country. This look at your favourite castles is a great list of attractions to fill any traveller's itinerary. I like that you included Afternoon Tea at Edinburgh Castle -- I have enjoyed it at both Edinburgh and Holyrood and will always include at least one of them in every visit. I haven't yet visited Tulloch or Duffus but will put them on my next itinerary.
I've visited a few of these, and agree with them being must visits. I've never heard of Linlithgow or the castle, so that would be a nice new hidden gem to visit. Having that personal connection probably made your visit even more special. Often we forget the tourist places we visit were actually used!
Yes, having that personal connection did make it special. I've been twice now and its different every time. It was my visit to Duffus Castle that made laugh though, after meeting Mrs. Duffus. Envisioning these places as homes brings it into perspective when you think of the era they were built in.
As someone who loves mansion tours, I also love castle tours. Though, the castles we have in America tend to be modeled after the castles in Europe - but nonetheless, i'll take it! I loved reading about your personal connection to Linlithgow Palace, and I can certainly relate when I visit a certain landmark or place that had a deep connection to a relative. It's also great to see how history is preserved, down to the heavy wooden doors at some of the locations.
OK, i'm adding Scotland as a place I need to visit!
Yes, Scotland truly is a magical place.
With our ancestry traced back about 600 years, I can't wait to return to see more castles and meet more cousins there.
There are so many fabulous castles in Scotland and I'm ashamed to say that, although we live in the UK, we have only visited a few of them. I like that you have included a diverse range of castles from the spectacular Dunrobin to the ruins of Urquhart and Duffus. We really love exploring ruined castles so those would be high priority. A post for us to bookmark for when we head up north on a future trip.
Thank you so much. There really are so many to chose from. Almost every corner or backroad has something for everyone.
i visited Scotland many years ago but Edinburgh castle as well as Urquart left a long lasting impression on me. Your list has also a few new ones that I'd like to pin for my bucket list, such as Duffus Castle. Do you have any more information on how to secure tickets to Balmoral? The last information I had about it is that the tours are very limited and guided tours cost around the £50 mark.
Carolin | <a href="https://solotravelstory.com/">Solo Travel Story</a>
Hi Carolin, The best information on Balmoral is directly on their site. Tickets are timed and booked online with a couple of options. There is even an option for afternoon tea. I read that this year, some additional rooms have been opened to the public. Like many popular places, tickets can sell out quickly. Hope that helps.
Given I grew up on the Scottish border I'm a little ashamed that I've only visited a small number of these impressive places. Dunrobin is high on my list, it's beautiful. And Duffus - I like a good castle ruins, so eerie and atmospheric. I haven't been to Edinburgh castle for a while but I might need to go back for what sounds like a really unique place for an afternoon tea
Yes, there are so many castles to choose from.
We spent a fair bit of time planning our route to see them. There were many options.
If I were to go back, I would get the full Scottish heritage membership and just start visiting them, one by one.
Thanks for this Scottish treat :-) I have always associated Sotland with castles and beautiful sceneries. I wish to visit it soon and have the chance to castle hop from Holyrood to Dunrobin to Balmoral and so on and every visit should conclude with a high tea fitting for a monarch lol ;-) #flyingbaguette
Thank you so much.
Yes, high tea is well worth the fee. It's all part of the atmosphere.
Such a beautiful compilation of Scottish Castles! I enjoyed this immensely. The photos are spectacular. Thank you for posting this excellent piece, Laura. Well done!
Thank you so much!
I always enjoy my Scottish adventures and have done many road trips around the country. This look at your favourite castles is a great list of attractions to fill any traveller's itinerary. I like that you included Afternoon Tea at Edinburgh Castle -- I have enjoyed it at both Edinburgh and Holyrood and will always include at least one of them in every visit. I haven't yet visited Tulloch or Duffus but will put them on my next itinerary.
Thank you so much.
Yes, afternoon tea and a stay in a castle really gives you a sense of Scottish history and culture.