From Edinburgh and Glasgow to the Inner and Outer Hebrides, it seems obligatory for Scottish castles to look like something out of a fairytale. Castles are an intrinsic element of the Scottish experience and this tour plan visits the best castles in Scotland. By YvonneH1272. Stirling Castle. You will learn more about the tradition and can ask the expert questions in this live experience. Below are 15 of the best tours of Edinburgh. . Castle Leod 50 Castles By tom646 Hired a car and driver to take us from Edinburgh to the seat of the Mackenzie clan since my wife has MacKenzie. Menu. Explore Lallybroch and Castle Leoch on a fantastic day . The 12 Best Castles To Visit In Scotland Are: Slains Castle Dunnottar Castle Edinburgh Castle Dunrobin Castle Fyvie Castle Kilchurn Castle Castle Fraser Blackness Castle Duart Castle Stirling Castle Eilean Donan Castle Castle Stalker 1. Check out some of the country's most haunted places on Scotland's Ghost Trail. Many people like to start in Edinburgh as it sets the scene nicely. Stirling Castle is undoubtedly, one of the best castles in Scotland to visit. There are 641 in total. The Tower of London has never been besieged and is in mint condition. 52,229. Explore Itinerary Personalize My Tour. Built as the home of Regent Albany, "Scotland's uncrowned king," Doune Castle is one of the finest surviving examples of late-14th-century palace architecture. Stirling Castle is set up on a hill in the Scottish Highlands and is an important part of the country's history and architectural heritage. Search. Home to the earls of Strathmore for 600-plus years, visitors today can enjoy a walk in the formal gardens or take a guided tour of the historic rooms. Inverness Castle gives you a sneak peek of what other beautiful scenery to enjoy while in Scotland. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Eilean Donan Some say that Eilean Donan is the most beautiful castle in Scotland. Our pick of the best English castle tours. CAWDOR Castle is magical place. Home; Find a Scotland Tour . Dunrobin Castle: the largest castle in the Scottish Highlands, with 189 rooms! Preceding arrival to Stirling, your vehicle will go by the empty shell of Linlithgow . Eilean Donan Castle is Scotland's most famous castle from the movies and it is truly a spectacular castle. . from. Immerse yourself in the local culture and soak up views of white sand beaches, ancient castles and heather-clad mountains as you go. Guest review. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned there. You can round the visit off with a walk through the beautiful 18th century walled garden. This medieval fortification is steeped in over 900 years of history and draws in millions of visitors every year. This 13th-century castle is one of Scotland's most iconic castles and possibly the most photographed. Glamis was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, wife of King George VI, and is steeped in history, legend, and beauty in equal measure. We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). 25 Best Castles in Scotland 1. This 7-day tour takes you through the heart of Scotland and lets you explore a total of 9 destinations . 3. Hohenzollern Castle - A Fairytale In The Woods (History & Travel Tips) The Best 20 Castles to Visit in Netherlands (Listed by Popularity) 6. . Her son, James VI, was baptized in the old royal chapel. The castle sits on a cliff top overlooking the Ayrshire coast and is surrounded by 600 acres of coastline, woods and extravagantly landscaped gardens. Thornbury Castle - Exploring Bath and the West Country Day 4 Coombe Abbey - 12th-Century Wonder Besides the Cotswolds Day 5 Swinton Park Castle - York Minster and the Yorkshire Dales Day 6 Langley Castle Hotel - Medieval Musing in Northumberland Day 7 Melville Castle - Hadrian's Wall and Rural Scotland Day 8 Our Scottish castle tours from Edinburgh or Glasgow are completely customizable but include all transport, sightseeing passes to visit Scotland's heritage sites and most importantly, characterful and historic castle or manor house accommodations by night. This tower has a fascinating history, and became infamous for the executions that were hosted here during the Tudor era. 10 of the best Outlander locations to visit in Scotland 1. Reopened in 2019, this Western Scotland castle sits on the edge of Kilmartin Glen, one of the most famous sites in prehistoric history.The interior retains a traditional Celtic feel, with its candle-lit dining room ensures . It dates from the late 18th century and was designed by Robert Adam in the neoclassical Georgian style. Highlights of a visit to Edinburgh Castle include seeing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the famous Stone of Destiny, displays of weaponry and armor, and the Royal Palace of the Scottish kings. Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dave souza used under CC BY 2.5. Dunvegan Castle. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed at the castle in 1566 to convalesce after the birth of her son James VI. Edinburgh isn't the only place you can uncover spooky tales of the past. Your first visit is Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. Entrance to Cawdor Castle. Many of these tours operate daily from London, whilst some are only available on selected dates. Stirling Castle, Scotland. enquiries@best-of-scotland.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1592 752990 Fax: +44 (0)1592 331680 Toll Free: 1-888 678 1567 USA/Canada. It is certainly one of the most iconic. This is an itinerary packed with ghost stories, romantic . Work on this Gothic Revival castle by Loch Fyne started in 1743, and it has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll since the late 18th century. Explore further on our private Outlander Tours from Edinburgh, Scotland. Destinations Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastra, Butrint, Saranda, Borsh, Divjake Age Range 2 to 70 year olds Country Region Castle Travel Style Family, Private, Group +3 more Operated in English Operator Visit Albania Tour length 3 days Price per day $151 From US $452 Download Brochure View tour View Map Bicycle Bike and Barge: the Seine Plus! Written by Lavanya Sunkara and Lura Seavey Updated May 26, 2022. Ardvreck Castle 190 Castles By Casespackedletsgo The food was fantastic from start to finish. Urquhart Castle. All you have to do is show up and enjoy your castle trips like the kings and queens you are. . Slains Castle People have lived on this hill for thousands of years and archaeologists have unearthed remains from as early as the Iron Ages. Popular Balmoral Castle A castle of your own for a day!! We do all the planning, too. Craigmillar Castle visitor information: The castle This sprawling complex houses the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg. Get Your Guide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours . Dive into the cream of Scotland's castles, landscapes, wildlife, and culture with a selection of guided tours, experiences, and attraction tickets in the categories below, or look further down the page to view the highest-rated tours from Get Your Guide. (+44)-808-225-0224. Ballindalloch Castle, Scotland 225. Mons Meg, St Margaret's Chapel, the Scottish Crown Jewels, war memorial and war museum are very interesting to see. Edinburgh Castle Why you should visit: Sitting atop an extinct volcanic rock in the heart of Edinburgh's old town, this is one of the best historic castles in Scotland. Get more information here. Just twenty minutes drive from the city is Borthwick Castle, a magnificent 15th century keep from which Mary Queen of Scots was forced to escape disguised as a servant boy. Nearby is Crichton Castle, once owned by the Earl of Bothwell, Mary's third husband. Visit our site for more details and information. The duke's rich tastes can be seen clearly in the medieval courtyard, which has since been featured in everything from Monty Python and the Holy . Self Drive Tour. Majestic mountains? Best Guided Tours in Scotland 2022. For more online travel in the capital, check out these virtual tours of London. Golf Tours in St Andrews. Easily one of Scotland's well-known attractions, Edinburgh Castle sits proudly above the city from its craggy, hilltop location on Castle Rock. Scottish Castle Hotels When you go on one of our tours, our team will escort you to every destination. Experience the raw natural beauty of Glencoe, Scotland's West Coast and the isles of Skye, Lewis and Harris on our Hebridean Highlights tour. 1. Uncover the beauty of the north of Scotland with an unforgettable day trip to Dunrobin Castle, John O'Groats and the Northern Highlands. Scotland: Savour freshly-made Scottish tea at the Ardgowan Estate and cruise the Loch Ness and soak up the incredible scenery. See the heart of Scotland as you travel from the capital, Edinburgh to Glasgow. Here is a list of the best of the best tours in Scotland. Scotland, at your leisure. From working royal residences at Windsor Castle to moated castles at Leeds Castle and medieval fortresses at Warwick Castle see the best of England's heritage! Kilmartin Castle. And while it may not be quite as. This is the official royal residence of the queen who undertakes formal duties here and the place she typically spends her weekends. Glamis Castle: the childhood home of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Windsor Castle: Windsor castle is one of the best preserved castles that were built by William the Conqueror as part of his ring of fortresses. Castles. Visit Scotland's most spectacular castles on these private tours from Edinburgh. The trip also includes Bannockburn area where Robert the Bruce defeated Edward. Package tour: See the stunning Dublin Castle and Edinburgh Castle. This Private Tour from Aberdeen available Monday to Friday. When you book a Nordic Visitor self-drive package, you can expect: An Edinburgh-based . Located amidst prehistoric monuments and historical sites, in the heart of the picturesque village of Argyll and Bute, Kilmartin Castle is the perfect blend of a customary Scottish feel with loads of unique modern addition by the current owners, Simon and Stef. Old Town. Show full description. There is history within the walls of every ancient building, but castles contain even more. Edinburgh Castle Set atop a craggy extinct volcano high above Scotland's capital, Edinburgh Castle is unquestionably Scotland's most famous and important castle. 7-day Historic Scotland Explorer Pass (valid over 14 days). If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are on board with our cookie policy however, if you would like to, you can change your . Choose between places like Doune Castle aka Castle Leoch, Linlithgow Palace aka Wentworth Prison, Culross in Fife aka Cranesmuir, Blackness Castle aka Fort William, Midhope Castle aka Lallybroch, and the Duke of Sandringham's residence. Discover more about them in this ultimate visitor guide to the best castles to visit in Scotland. We guide you on a castle trail through the centuries; from the ancient hill forts of "Iron Age" Kings to grand country houses that are still occupied by wealthy Dukes. With its foreboding exterior and sublime interior, Inveraray Castle boasts many characteristics that make it one of the best castles to visit in Scotland. Castle Tour of Wales. If The Crown and Downton Abbey got you daydreaming about living in a castle, just travel to Scotland, where you will have your pick of castle hotels.Scotland, known for having the most number of castles in the United Kingdom, has long been a favorite among the royals, who have . Estimates range from 2,000-4,000, but here are 12 of the best Scottish castles! 2022. Follow in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire Fraser on a fun & relaxed private day tour. 1. 11. Yet, Edinburgh Castle wasn't built until the 12th century. Today, it is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland, set amid green trees and grass. Castle Hill, Doune FK16 6EA, UK. 6 nights accommodation in the above Castles including Scottish breakfast. Craigmillar Castle is a ruined medieval castle a couple of miles outside Edinburgh city center. Head from the Royal Mile over the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge to Dunfermline with a guide, and explore the Abbey Kirk burial place of Robert the Bruce. Eilean Donan Uniquely, it has three gardens. A top attraction in Scotland, Stirling Castle hails from the 12th century and remains an intact piece of history, significant enough to warrant a day trip from Edinburgh. Why not explore even more with our multi-day Outlander tours & uncover Scotland's history and sites. Perched atop the volcanic plug of Castle Rock, the Scottish capital's crowning glory is a strong start to a tour of the best castles in Scotland. . Made famous by Shakespeare as the home of Macbeth, it is a fairly tale castle over 600 years old. Vacation: Visit one of Europe's finest Japanese Gardens in Kildare and experience the spectacular scenery of the Ring of Kerry. Some of the best Scottish castles to include in a sightseeing itinerary are; Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, and Eilean Donan Castle. Spend your days exploring the beautiful Scottish countryside and your nights relaxing in historic castles. Outlander Tour Scotland. #2: Eilean Donan Castle Eilean Donan Castle has a little extra magic at sunrise. 5. Taking it one historic castle, distillery, and breathtaking glen at a time, savoring the amazing food and drink that Scotland is famous for along the way. The best Scottish castles to visit What do you think of when you picture Scotland? Stirling Castle gives a panoramic view where William Wallace defeated the British army at Stirling Bridge in 1297. Starting From $3,197 per person based on. Dating back to 1870, this 5-star South Ayrshire hotel includes an award-winning restaurant and provides free on-site parking and Wi-Fi. The history of Britain's most besieged place goes back a thousand years, and the castle's Georgian barracks proudly overlook the Princes Street Gardens that separate Edinburgh's Old and New Towns.