Scotland is renowned all over the world for it’s over 2000 castles, a sight that a tourist cannot behold in any other part of the world.  The first motte and bailey castles were built during the Norman influence in the 11th and 12th centuries and the mid 13th century saw the arrival of the first stone-built castles. The late 14th century saw these large castles give way to more modest tower houses which caught the fancy of Scotland’s landowners till the late 17th century.  It was around this time that classical architecture made its first presence. Medieval architecture was revived in the late 18th century and castle style houses became popular once more.
The many castles that are a result of Scotland’s turbulent history; while some like the Edinburgh and Stirling castles are fine examples of Europe’s finest architecture, there are several others that dot the countryside and stand testimony to darker times in Scotland’s past.


But there is no denying the magic they exert and the power they exercise over one’s imagination that helps them feature right on the top of ‘must visit’ attractions for tourists.
The most famous and important among these is Edinburgh Castle which is dwelling to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the mighty ‘Mons Meg’ a fifteenth century blockade cannon of huge proportions. Today it is a mix of barracks, palace, war memorial and fortress.


The Stirling Castle sits on volcanic rock overlooking Scotland’s significant battlefields. A great deal of restoration has gone in and on view are interactive displays of the castle’s colorful past.
Inveraray Castle dating from the eighteenth century is famous because Duke of Argyll who used to live there.  His family has lived here for more than five centuries.  The castle has a fairytale aspect which is its chief attraction and the large turreted corner towers pose a formidable look.  The interiors of the castle are grand and opulent.  The Tapestry Drawing Room and the State Dining Room are decorated with French tapestries and adorned with beautiful pieces of French, Scottish and English furniture and hold a wealth of art and treasure.

Some of the other well known castles are Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries; Glamis Castle, Angus more famous for its legendary setting for ‘Macbeth’ and the childhood home of the late Queen Mother; Craigievar Castle, Aberdeenshire; Culzean Castle, Ayrshire; Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye; and Duart Castle, Mull.
But all talk of Scottish castles cannot be relevant with mention of their association with ghosts, apparitions and haunting; some of which stretch back over 600 years. Most of these castles have been home to killings, tortures and rituals during the medieval and uprising years. Even the Edinburgh Castle is not without mention of its famous ghostly occupants, a headless drummer and a piper playing the pipe on the battlements.
Some of Scotland’s spooky castles are Ackergill Tower, Caithness; Craignethan Castle, Lanark; Fernie Castle, Fife; Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire.