The Most Beautiful Fairytale Castles in Scotland

Years ago on our road trip in Scotland we passed and stopped at a lot of castles in Scotland. When wondering how many castles are there in Scotland? Over 1500! Yes, that many. We’re not going to cover all those castles in this article, just the coolest castles in Scotland. I’ve asked my fellow travel bloggers which castle they recommend and added my own picks.

Fairytale Castles in Scotland

Which of the 1500+ castles in Scotland to visit are in our top 11? Read on to find out. All of them are perfect to add as a stop on a road trip.

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, The Highlands

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels.

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most famous castles in Scotland. It was featured in several movies and tv-series. It’s located close to the entrance to the Isle of Skye. It’s situated on a small island in the Northwestern Highlands. Three sea lakes meet each other at the island, namely Loch Duich, Koch Ash and Loch Long.

The iconic castle dates from the 13^th century, built to help with defense against the Vikings. After passing through several hands in the next centuries, it was blown up in the 18^th century during the Jacobite rebellion.

In 1913 Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island and restored the castle to its former glory. He added a bridge, by which from then on the island was connected to the main land. Restoration of the castle finished in 1932. Since 1983 the castle is managed by the Conchra Charitable Trust.

The castle on the small island surrounded with lochs and mountains in the background give it a real fairytale feeling. It’s magnificent to visit the castle, or to see it from afar.

The castle is open to visitors from February till December. It’s closed during Christmas and in January. The opening times vary from month to month. Entrance costs £12.00 for adults and £6.50 for kids over 5 years old. Tickets can’t be bought online, they’re only sold on site.

There’s a visitor center nearby that can provide information on the castle.

Dunrobin Castle, Golspie, The Highlands

Contributed by Aimee from Our Salt Souls.

Dunrobin Castle can be found in the Scottish Highlands about an hour’s drive north along the coast from Inverness. This castle dates back to the 13th Century and is the home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland, one of the most powerful and noble families at the time in Britain. Dunrobin Castle was built to resemble a French chateâu is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses.

The castle is open to the public to be able to explore, from March through to October. Admission into the castle as well as the amazing gardens cost £14.50 for adults and £9.00 for children. To view the Museum, it is open from 11.00am until 4:00pm daily. 

It is advised to give yourself between 2 to 3 hours to be able to explore all that the caste has to offer. 

If you are looking for somewhere nearby to stay make sure to continue on to Brora Beach. There are two campsites here, either Sea Breezes or Brora Caravan and Motorhome, where you can camp overnight from £20 -£49 per night. This provides a perfect night stop for those exploring the North Coast 500 (NC500).

Inveraray Castle, Inveraray, Argyll

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels.

Inveraray castle is a beautiful, fairytale like castle which is located on the west coast of Scotland. Along the A83 and the shore. You can have beautiful views on the castle from across the water.

The castle was built and designed in the 18th century. It’s a Neo-Gothic style castle, built to be lived in. The purpose of the castle was never defense. The Duke of Argyll gave architect Roger Morris the commission to design the castle. Building of it started in 1746, and was finally completed in 1789.

The castle has a turret on every corner, 4 in total. The rooms are beautifully decorated with tapestry and paintings. In 1953 the castle opened to the public.

You can visit the castle and tour the rooms or stroll through the beautiful gardens. Open from the end of March till the end of October. Opening times are 10am till 5pm, and in October till 4pm. The castle is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Entrance costs £16.50 for adults and £12.00 for kids 5 till 15. For just the gardens entrance costs £9.00. You can pre-purchase your tickets online.

Dunvegan Castle, Dunvegan, The Highlands

Contributed by Kristin from Scotland Less Explored.  

Dunvegan Castle is located on the Isle of Skye. It is home to the MacLeods and has been in the same family for 800 years.

The first building dates from the 13th Century. The remodelling of the outer parts of the castle took place during the 19th Century in a mock-medieval style. Within the castle there are five separate buildings. Each has its own history and each of the buildings looks different.

Dunvegan Castle is open from the 1st of April to the 15th of October from 10am to 5.30pm with the last entry at 5pm. Tickets are either for the castle and gardens or gardens only. Entry to the castle and gardens cost £16.50 for adults and £11.50 for children. Entry to the garden costs £14.50 for adults and £9.50 for children.

Until the end of September, 25 minute seal trips operate from the jetty below the castle. Tickets cost £13 for adults and £10 for children. Spaces are allocated on a first come first served basis.

MacLeod Tables Café is right next to the castle but instead try The Community Café or The Misty in Dunvegan village. There are also two other sights not to miss whilst in the area. Continue along the narrow road past the castle to Coral beach, an amazing white sandy beach. The second sight is the 5 meter tall Duirinish stone in Dunvegan village.

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, The Lothians

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels. 

Edinburgh castle is situated on a hill towering over the city of Edinburgh. The city is located on the east coast in Southern Scotland. It dominates the skyline of Edinburgh, and is a castle as well as a fort.

Already over 3000 years people have considered castle rock as a safe space, a rock that they could find shelter on. The current castle on the rock dates from the 11th century. Over the centuries the castle with its stone walls saw siege after siege, defending Scotland against England. Scottish kings and queens housed themselves here. All that came to an end in 1745 after the Jacobite siege.

Nowadays the castle is a World Heritage Site, a true landmark of Scotland. It houses the Scottish crown jewels, has the National War Museum and two other military museums. There’s still a garrison of soldiers at the castle.

There’s so much to see and do at Edinburgh castle. You can tour the castle and see all this for yourself. See the oldest building in Edinburgh, namely St. Margaret’s Chapel. Around lunchtime the One o’Clock Gun is fired each day. That’s a sight to see and hear! These are just a couple of the things to see at the castle.

Tickets can be bought online in advance, as well as at the castle itself. During the Summer months tickets can sell out far in advance.

Tickets costs £19.50 for adults aged 16-64, kids 7 till 15 cost £11.40, tickets for aged 65+ are £15.50. There are guided tours and audio tours available. Take at least 3 hours or a whole day for a visit.

Glamis Castle, Glamis, Angus

Contributed by Katie and Tom from Trekking the Dream!

Situated in the picturesque Angus Countryside, Glamis Castle was once the home of the late Queen Mother and the summer playground for the young Queen Elizabeth the Second. As befits its royal heritage, the castle is suitably grand and, with its towers and conical turrets, has an air of Disney about it.

Despite its fairytale appearance, it is often said to be the UK’s most haunted castle. Reputed to have at least nine ghosts, one is said to be sealed within a hidden room playing cards with the Devil! You can try to find the hidden room for yourself on one of the popular 1hr tours that run throughout the season from March to November. Prices are reasonable and include access to the colourful walled gardens, the Italian Garden and the Macbeth Trail with its intricately carved sculptures of characters from one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.

Inside the castle, you’ll see plenty of ancient artefacts including suits of armour and even a stuffed bear arranged in corridors adorned with priceless paintings. No trip to the castle would be complete without a visit to the original castle kitchens, now serving freshly made local dishes and of course delicious cream teas!

Allow at least 3 hours to get the most from your visit but you could spend all day and still not see it all. If you are driving yourself, head north from Dundee and follow the signs, otherwise, look online for one of the many coach tours.

Stirling Castle, Stirling, Stirling

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels.

The castle in Stirling Scotland is what clasps the Highlands and Lowlands together. Coming from the Lowlands you’ll first see Stirling castle standing high on a volcanic rock guarding river Fort hand behind it begin the Highlands.

Some sort of fortification was present on the volcanic rock for centuries, before the current castle was built. The castle dates from the 12th century, however buildings were added in later times, so its appearance has changed over the centuries. It has a long and rather turbulent history, making it a really interesting castle to visit. It played an important role in Scottish history, all Scottish royals lived here. It’s a Scottish landmark and is until this day regarded as a symbol of Scottish independence.

Must see during your visit are the Stirling Tapestries, the Great Hall and the Regimental Museum.

You can visit the castle on your own or with an audio guide. However we had an excellent experience with a guided tour from the castle. They are included in your ticket and are held every half hour.

Tickets can be bought online and at the entrance. There’s a small discount when buying the tickets online. Here given are the online ticket prices. Adults from 16 till 64 years old pay £17.50, 7 till 15 pay £10.50 and aged 65+ years £14.00.

When visiting take at least 2 hours to half a day.

Dunnotar Castle, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

Contributed by Victoria from Guide Your Travel.

Dunnottar Castle, perched on a dramatic cliff overlooking the North Sea, is a historical fortress with breathtaking views. Located just outside Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, this iconic ruin is one of the country’s most picturesque and historically significant sites.

Historically, Dunnottar Castle has witnessed numerous significant events. It played a crucial role during the Scottish Wars of Independence and was the hiding place for the Scottish crown jewels during Oliver Cromwell’s invasion in the 17th century. The castle’s origins date back to the early Middle Ages, with its current ruins primarily from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Visiting Dunnottar Castle is a captivating experience. The castle is open to visitors year-round, with an entrance fee of around £8 for adults, £3.50 for children, and discounts for families. While there are no guided tours, visitors can explore the extensive ruins at their own pace. Spending at least 1.5 to 2 hours fully appreciating the castle’s history and stunning coastal scenery is advisable.

You can take a scenic walk from Stonehaven, a 45-minute trek along the coastal path offering splendid views. Alternatively, parking is available nearby if you prefer to drive.

Local recommendations include visiting Stonehaven, a charming town with lovely pubs and restaurants. Take the chance to try some local seafood. Also, Stonehaven’s open-air heated swimming pool is a unique attraction, especially on a warm day.

Tips for visiting Dunnottar Castle include wearing comfortable footwear, as the terrain can be rugged, and bringing a jacket, as it can get windy on the cliffs. Additionally, visiting early in the day can help you avoid crowds, allowing for a more tranquil experience of this magnificent Scottish landmark.

Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit, The Highlands

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels.

Urquhart Castle is located on the banks of Loch Ness. It’s one of the castles in the Highlands in Scotland that’s a ruin nowadays, but well visited. Before destruction it was one of the largest castles of Scotland.

The current castle was built in the 13th century and played an important role in the Scottish independence wars in the 14th century. It was abandoned in the 17th century and partially destroyed, so that it couldn’t be used in the Jacobite uprising.

You can wander around the castle yourself. With Loch Ness and possibly Nessie in the back your fantasy will run wild, or at least mine did. However no sightings of Ness by us on our visit. The rain and fog that day only added more mystery.

Tickets can be bought online in advance or at the entrance. Online prices have a slight discount. Tickets for adults (16-64) cost £13.00, 65+ years cost £10.40 and kids 7 till 15 years old cost £7.80.

Take a half hour till half day for a visit.

Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Pertshire

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels.

Blair castle is located in the middle of Scotland, in the Highlands. It’s a beautiful white plastered castle with turrets and dark tiled roofs.

The current castle dates from 1269, however a lot of changes and additions have been made to the castle over the centuries. Comyn’s Tower is the only surviving part of the castle from 1269. In 1740 the transformation of a medieval castle to a Georgian house started. In the 1860s/1870s it was however again turned more into a castle again from the outside, so turrets and crenellations were added. Giving us the beautiful, fairytale like castle we see today.

The castle has beautiful gardens and grounds to wander through. It’s the home of the Atholl family and houses the last remaining private army in Europe, namely the Atholl Highlanders. They’re a Scottish ceremonial infantry regiment, and are the personal bodyguard of the Duke of Atholl.

The interior of the castle is well preserved and beautifully decorated. You can tour 30 rooms, that still have their original furnishings. Admire the Scots Baronial architecture style and the fine 18th century interiors.

The castle is open for the public from the end of March till the end of October from 10am till 5pm. Tickets can be bought online or at the entrance, there’s a 1 pound discount for tickets bought online. Adults pay £17.50, seniors 60+ pay £16.00 and kids (5-16) pay £11.50. There are no guided tours available, however there are guides on every floor that can answer your questions.

Ardvreck Castle, Inchnadamph, The Highlands

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels.

A beautifully situated castle ruin in the Northwest of Scotland. It’s located on the banks of Loch Assynt. The backdrop is magnificent with the lake and the mountains surrounding the castle.

The history of the castle goes back to the end of the 15^th century. The castle belonged to the Macleaods of Assynt. It was however captured by the MacKenzies of Assynt in 1672. They built Calda house, which is nearby, using some of the stones of the castle apparently. In 1745 all this was seized by the Crown, and both Ardvreck castle as well as Calda house have remained ruins since then.

The castle used to be an imposing building, however nowadays there’s only a tower ruin and some of the walls left. The ruin is clearly visible when driving on the A837, in between Ullapool and Lochinver. There’s no entrance fee, a visit is on your own account. A designated parking lot with a couple of guided information boards is on the side of the road. There’s an accessible path leading to the castle from the parking lot.

The views are so scenic, it’s a must stop on the NC500 or a Scotland road trip.

That’s a Wrap On Our Castles in Scotland

All the castles, whether ruins or still lived in, have their history, mystery and fairytale feeling.

For more castles, check out or blog on fairytale castles in France.   

Like it? Pin it!

Like it? Pin it!

Like it? Pin it!