“Did not strong connections draw me elsewhere, I believe Scotland would be the country I would choose to end my days in.”
Benjamin Franklin
My name is Brodie and I have lived in central Scotland all my life. My parents wanted me to get a hobby, so here I am. I know many people who ‘bag’ Munros in this country, but I decided I would start bagging castles instead.
there are around 2000 castles in Scotland but my Map only has 735 castles on it. so I’m going to try visit them all!!!
I will try to include as much useful information as possible for anyone else wanting to visit these places and lots of photos too!
This castle is located on the A905 just north of the village of Airth. The closest parking to the castle is at the near by Dunmore Pineapple with free parking. From the car park it is a walk along a muddy path to the tower and site of the old St. Andrew’s church of which only piles of rubble remain.
Entry costs and services
This castle is an unmaintained ruin so it is free to visit however take extreme caution if you do so. This is not easily accessible as the the old church yard is completely overgrown with trees and brambles. So wear appropriate footwear. There are no toilets near by incase you decide to go for a walk around the Pineapple.
The tower dates to the 16th century it was built by Sir John Elphinstone as the seat of the barony of Elphinstone. The Elphinstone estate was purchased by John Murray son of the 3rd Earl of Dunmore in 1754. Two years later he inherited the earldom and changed its name to the estate of Dunmore. He later built the Dunmore Pineapple in 1761.
John Murray become the governor of the Province of New York in 1770. The following year he became the governor of the Colony of Virginia. He fled from Virginia to New York after the Burning of Norfolk in 1776 and later returned to Britain. Before his death in 1809 he was also the governor of the Bahama Islands from 1787 to 1796.
In the 1820s the 5th earl commissioned the construction of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church which was completed around 1850. At around the same time the bottom floor of the tower was turned into a mausoleum for the family.
The Murray family left Dunmore in 1911. The tower and surrounding estate buildings fell into decay. In 1962 demolition was approved for the church.
Overall this was a wee adventure around Dunmore estate. I really enjoyed clambering around this site, it felt very untouched and remote despite still being able to see the main road near by. It also was a good excuse to visit the Pineapple which has got to be one of the most eccentric buildings in Scotland that I’ve seen.
This castle is located on the A822 to Crieff in Perthshire. At the entrance there is a narrow gate that leads to a very long tree lined driveway so arriving by public transport could prove difficult.
There are 2 car parks one in the courtyard for blue badge holders and a second one for everyone else. There is a hut in the main car park with toilets in it.
When we went the current prices were as follows:
Adult-£10 Child(5-16)-£4 Family-£22 Season tickets Adult-£30 Family-£60
There is very limited access to the castle its self and no access to the stately home.
Review
From the start I could tell by the long tree lined driveway it was going to be impressive. When we got to the car park, looking up at the castle on its slight cliff, made it feel like something out of a horror movie ( the rainy weather helped).
More romance than horror, the grounds of this castle featured as the palace of Versailles in the TV drama Outlander. And you can certainly see why as even on a typical Scottish rainy day it’s beautiful to look at and wander round.
One of the most iconic parts of this castle is its 17th century sundial in the centre of the garden. It consists of 61 dials on raised panels and in sunken hollows. The sundial dates from 1630 and was fully restored in 2019 after 3 years.
Overall I think this was a very beautiful place to visit although I didn’t get to see much of the castle it’s self. I thought the gardens were stunningly designed and maintained with an abundant use of marble statues.
There’s one small car park on site witch is not suitable for large vehicles. However there is a Dobbies just across the road with a cafe.
This castle was closed when I visited due to current covid restrictions, so please check Historic Environment Scotland website before travelling.
review
I only got to view this castle from the outside as it was closed when we visited. The castle is actually two separate towers which were joined into one by the Murray family in the seventeenth century. The earliest part of the castle was built in the 15th century. The second tower was built in the 16th century as an L-plan tower house.There used to be a wooden bridge that linked the two buildings until a connecting back was built at the end of the 16th century.
The castle has a lot of history. It has links to assassination attempts and kidnapping of royals. It is most famous as the honeymoon location for Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley in 1565.
More recently the castle was used for housing for workers in the calico printing industry and it is now a great place for wildlife including pipistrelle bats.
I was visiting this area when I went to see it, so I was happy to stop by and see this castle. I will try and go back when it is open as I would really like to see the inside of it. The grounds were really nice and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Take the B7008 from West Calder to the A70. The castle is located near the Pentland hills at the south west end of Harperrig reservoir near Livingston.
Entry costs and services
This castle is on privately owned land and is inaccessible to the public. However there is a small path on the other side of a wall from the castle. There is a small car park close to the castle.
Review
The castle was built in the 15th century by William de Carnys the original owner. The Crichtons inherited the castle through the marriage of the heiress of the castle who was the granddaughter of of the original owner.
The road to this castles location offers lots of beautiful green scenery so it is worth the drive. The castle itself is obscured by lots of trees and ivy, but this adds to its charm. There isn’t much to do in the area, but it offers great walks in the area. This was a short visit, but a scenic one.
Take the A92 to Kirkcaldy then head towards East Wemyss. There is a small car park by the beach however the castle is up LOTS and lots of stairs and is not accessible for wheelchairs and prams. There is a small flatter path around the back of the cemetery but no parking on the street.
Entry costs and Services
This castle is free to visit as it is a ruin. The castle is classed as a hazardous site due to bad erosion of the bricks “visitors enter at their own RISK!”. There are some nice caves in the area, most are off limits.
Review
The castle has two names its proper name “Macduff’s castle” and its nickname “East Wemyss Castle”. Both names can be linked to the Macduff family Earls of Fife the most powerful family in Fife in the Middle Ages. The castle is thought to have been built by the Macduffs in the 11th century.
The East Wemyss name comes from the local town which along with some of the other local towns is named after the Wemyss family descendants of the Macduffs. The Wemyss family also lived in the castle in the 14th century.
Although there’s not much to see this is still a beautiful place to go on a good day. The state of the building is sad to see but still good to look at.
Head north over the Queensferry crossing towards Kirkcaldy. Ones in Kirkcaldy follow the signs to Ravenscraig park where there is parking. In the park you will find signs to the castle which is out the way along a small path.
Entry costs and services
This castle is a ruin so it is free to enter but still safe. There is toilets in the park and easy access to the beach there is also car parking and a small play park for the kids.
Ravenscraig Castle is owned by Historic Scotland more information can be found at:
This castle was built in 1460 by James II as a gift for his queen Marie of Gueldres.He was killed shortly after they started building, but she finished building the castle and may have stayed there. The castle was then given to the Sinclair family in 1470.
At one point the castle was used to protect Merchant ships from pirates who were based on the Isle of May in the outer Firth of Forth.
I really enjoyed this castle and thought it was a bit of a hidden gem with its beautiful views over the forth estuary and Inchkeith island with some great walks nearby. The brilliant beach at the bottom of the hill with nice rocks.
My mum says this is the most beautiful castle she has ever been to.
Head north over the Queensferry crossing and take the very first exit and follow the signs to the dock yard. There is no designated parking so you may need to walk along the street a bit.
Entry costs and service
First things first there is a no trespassing sign but I didn’t see it so oops!
This castle is a ruin so it is free to look at. The castle is on land owned by the Ministry of defence (the navy) so technically it’s not open to the public. It can be viewed from the road but ask at the gate if you want to get a closer look.
Review
the national library of Wales
From this picture you can see the castle used to sit on an island but nowadays it sits surrounded by the reclaimed land of Rosyth docks.
Rosyth Castle is a 15th century ruined tower house on the banks of the river Forth. It was built around 1450 and was extended in the 16th and 17 the century.
The most unusual thing about this castle is its location. Unlike most others it is odd that it is in the middle of an industrial estate. It is very much a ruin, but appears to be still quite solid and well kept. The only residents are the seagulls who were not very happy to see us.
This is a castle for the more serious castle bagger, and not one for a pleasant day trip.
Off the M876 at Larbert just outside the small village of Torwood this castle is easy access to people traveling from Edinburgh to Glasgow. The turn off is only for cars from Edinburgh not Glasgow or Stirling.
if you head along glen road in Torwood there is usually space on the street beside where the public right of way starts. The walk is sign posted from then on.
Entry costs and services
This castle is a ruin and therefore has no entry so it is free to look at there are no facilities near by however the castle is being restored (slowly) and may have entry costs and facilities soonish.
video from highlandtitles.com
Review
Torwood castle is accessed by a shortish track which doubles as an access road for private houses. This makes it easy for bikes, buggies and that dog that doesn’t want to walk. The track has also got foot paths leading to other places including a near by broch with the mysterious “blue pool” near by.
You can’t miss the castle as it is right at the end of the straight track.
The castle its self is a ruin although it is under going restoration by the Torwood castle trust.
It has been estimated as being built around 1566 for Sir Alexander Forrester. It was once the seat of Clan Forrester. The castle was built by the lords Forrester who supplied the crown with timber and were in charge of a royal hunting area.
I really enjoyed the small walk and the castle however I wish I had more time to see the other stuff in the area and hope that maybe I will be able to come back and see it fully restored.
A large natural mound, dominated by military buildings of the early eighteenth century.
“the infamous ‘Wolf of Badenoch’ had one of his bases at Ruthven, and legend has it that in July 1394 he played chess with the Devil at Ruthven, and was killed by lightning during a terrible storm in 1440.”
Canmore.org.uk
Getting there
Follow the A9 towards Kingussie before turning right on the B970 for Ruthven Barracks. This is well signposted and can also be seen from the road.
Entry costs and services
I went to this site on 2 of January 2020 and it was free to enter for all
Its open all year round
There is a small car park. The footpath up to the barracks is not suitable for prams. There are no toilets nearby and dogs on leads are welcome.
Although all that’s left of the original castle is the well, the newer barracks are still lovely to visit (but the doors are small!!!). The big mound it sits on was left over from the ice age which also provides a nice view over the surrounding marsh land and near by Kingussie.
The ruined barracks look brilliant on an overcast day (which are very easy to find in Scotland) and at night when the building is lit up.
My opinion is that this was a spectacular sight and a great little break from the cramped back seat of the car.
“The morning e’er saw mirth and glee in the hoary feudal tower of bold sir Alan Mortimer the lord of Aberdour.”
David Vedder, Sir Alan Mortimer A legend of fife 1855
Aberdour castle from the gardens
Getting there
This castle is located next to Aberdour train station. in the lovely village of Aberdour in the kingdom of Fife. The turn off for the castle is easy to miss so be careful. There’s a single lane road up to the castle with a few passing places. There is car parking at the castle and train station.
the view from the car park
Entry costs and Services
I visited this castle on the 18 of January 2020 and the entry costs where: adult-£6.00 concession-£4.80 child-£3.60 member-free (some prices may change).
Open all year April-September 09:30-17:30. October-March 10:00-16:00
website:www.historicenvironment.scot
phone:+44 01383 860519
review
Yet another filming location for Outlander, we visited this castle on sunny late afternoon in January. This is a really large site with lots to explore and could easily take several hours to see everything. Most of this site was easy to access on foot, but there were several tight staircases and some uneven ground.
Its clear to see all the different building styles as this building has grown over five centuries.It is one of the oldest castles in Scotland.
One of the highlights is St Fillans Church which is easy to access from the castle walled gardens and is still in use today. The graveyard is especially interesting with some gravestones that date back as far as the 1600’s with lots of skulls carved on them.
The gardens are very impressive and include an orchard and a uniquely spectacular dovecot.
In my opinion this castle offers everything within a large but easy to access area. I would like to revisit this castle in the summer months to see the gardens and the orchard in full bloom. The location of the castle is near one of my favourite beaches, Silversands, so I could combine the two to have a brilliant day out.
Brodie Bags Scottish Castles 