Loch An Eilein Castle

Power base of “the Wolf of Badenoch”

“The Wolf’s territory stretched from Moray to the Pentland Firth – with much of its people to feel the full force of this “avarious and cruel” figure”
by sir John Scott Keltie, 1875

Getting there

This castle is located in loch an Eilein which is part of the Rothiemurchus estate outside Aviemore. just before you reach Aviemore take the B970 towards Feshiebridge. This is not good for large vehicles!!!

entry costs and services

I bagged this castle on the 1st of January 2020 and the costs were: adult- £1.50 child- 50p (some prices may change)

the main car park opens at 9:30 and closes at 5:30

there is a car park and a doggy exercise area and toilets. walking paths are dog and pram friendly however suitable shoes or boots are needed as paths may be icy, wet, muddy and rough or uneven. there is no significant change in gradient.

website: http://www.rothiemurchus.net

phone: +44 01479 812345

Review

The main feature of this place is not the castle but the walk around the loch. The castle is set in the scenic Highland estate of Rothiemurchus near Aviemore. The walk around the loch is 3 miles (5km) taking in beautiful scenery and views of the mountains.

The castle is inaccessible as it is on an island in the loch, but you can get a good view of it from the bank. The castle is now a ruin, but you get a good idea of how it would have been a secure place for local people to seek refuge.

The castle has a lot of history, mostly relating to its famous owner Alexander Stewart ‘the Wolf of Badenoch’.

The castle was besieged by the Jacobites in 1690and it finally fell out of use in the late 18th century. There are rumours that the castle was connected to the shore by an underwater zig-zag causeway, although no evidence of this has ever been found.

This castle was also enjoyed as a nesting site for ospreys until the early 1900s and more recently was in the TV show Monarch of the Glen.

I thought this was a really nice walk and great way to start the New Year. I would have liked more viewing points of the castle and a nice hot chocolate at the end! I would recommend this castle and walk to people with dogs and young children.

Doune Castle

Home of the uncrowned king of Scotland

“your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!”
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1975

Getting there

Head along the M9 towards Dunblane near Stirling, turn off the roundabout to the beautiful village of Doune and then keep your eyes peeled for a small sign on a really really sharp bend. (and I mean really!)

Entry costs and services

I bagged this castle on Sunday 24th November and the entry costs where: Adult-£9.00 Concession-£7.20 Child (5-15) £5.40 Member- free. some prices may change.

open all year April-September 09:30-17:30 October-March 10:00-16:00

there is a car park with toilets and some great walks down by the river (check with owner about dogs in the building)

Website: http://www.historicenvionment.scot

Phone: +44 01862 810216

Review

From standing in the carpark you can see why this location has featured in so many movies and TV programmes. Most famously in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and of course Outlander.

Its huge imposing walls and towers surround a big courtyard, very similar to its original medieval layout. It is believed to be Scotlands best preserved Medieval Castle. It was built in the late 1300s by the Duke of Albany. He was the ruler of Scotland in all but name until 1420.

One of the best things about this castle all the hidden passages and rooms. It really is a fun castle to explore. there are lots of narrow passage ways which lead to big halls and lots of tiny little rooms tucked away. You could easily get lost in this castle!

In my opinion this castle has a unique beauty to it. It makes you want to see more of it as you explore all the different levels and rooms. If you visit on a dry day, put in your walking shoes and go for a wander down by the river too!

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace

Scotlands first capital

“Here I mounted the cutting stool, or stool of repentance ; while Burns from the pulpit addressed to me a ludicrous reproof and exhortation “
John Adair -1787

Getting there

take the M90 over the Queensferry crossing (north bound) follow the signs for Dunfermline and then the brown signs to the abbey. There is no official car park but a pay & display is located near by on saint Margaret’s street.

Entry costs and services

I bagged this castle on Sunday the 17th of November and the costs where:

Adult-£6.00 Concession-£4.80 Child(5-15)-£3.60 Member -free. some prices may change.

open all year April-September 09:30-17:30 October-March (Saturday-Wednesday) 10:00-16:00. Closed for lunch 12:30-13:30 all the time.

there are pay and display car parks near by and parks for dog walking (check with owner about dogs in building)

website: http://www.hisoricenvironment.scot

phone: +44 01383 739026

Review

This castle is located in an area of Dunfermline with lots of nice parks. The site contains both the Abbey and the Palace, also the small Parish Church (which is not open to the public).

Dunfermline used to be the capital of Scotland is is the burial site of some very famous Scots and Royal including Robert the Bruce and St Margaret. In 1598 the abbey and the land were given as a wedding present to Anna of Denmark. She developed it into the lavish Palace , the remains we see today.

The ticket office is in the Archway of the Palace. There is a small door that leads you to a small set of stairs that leads you down into the impressive vaults. Two exhibition rooms a re situated next to the ticket office. These contain permanent exhibits , one was stone carving and the other contained an interactive historical display of the Palace and Abbey site.

This was was a vast site which was great to explore on a crisp winter day. A nice area to escape the cold would have been a bonus, however I still really enjoyed my visit here.

Blackness Castle

The ship that never sailed…

“it’s one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked about a bit”
Harry Bedford and Terry Sullivan

Getting there

located on the shores of the beautiful coastal village of Blackness, this castle is convenient for Edinburgh and Falkirk. just off the M9 along a rural road towards the Firth of forth, when you arrive in Blackness take a sharp right along the very narrow road to the small car park at the castle (watch out for dog walkers!).

Entry costs and services

I bagged this castle on Sunday 10th of November 2019 and the entry costs where: Adult-£6 Concession-£4.80 Child (5-15)-£3.60 Members-free. some prices may change.

Open all year April- September 09:30-17:30. October-March 10:00-16:00

there is a car park, lots of walks along the foreshore (check with owner about dogs in building) and great little pub with food and drinks and a shop in the town.

website: http://www.hisoricenvironment.scot

phone: +44 01506 834807

Review

This is another filming location for the TV series Outlander. It was used as a prison in the show, but was also a prison in its past.

Originally it was built as a home, but soon was used as a Garrison Fortress and a state prison. The outside of the castle area has a gun hole that was damaged in 1651 during Cromwells invasion of Scotland. It was poorly patched up and you can still see the damage.

Once you enter the courtyard area be aware of the very uneven ground. Sensible walking shoes are required. From the courtyard you can get to the drawbridge, which then takes you out on to a pier.

You get access to the three main towers from the courtyard, they are called the Stem, Main Mast and Stern towers. You can also get amazing views from the top of one of these towers.

The castle feels very secluded and gloomy. The towers are imposing as you stand in the rugged courtyard. This is the eeriest castle I have visited so far!

This castle has a very different feel to it than the others I have visited. You can certainly see why it was used as a prison. It must have been a bleak and dingy place to be imprisoned.

Overall I really enjoyed my visit to this castle this time, and I have done the other times I have visited over the years. Although I wouldn’t want to spend the night here!

Midhope Castle

Midhope… in the middle of nowhere!

“If I’m killed now, Sassenach, Lallybroch is yours.”
Outlander, Diana Gabeldon

Getting there

Follow the M9 east bound and the signs for Hopetoun House. Don’t be surprised when you start heading down a narrow road with lots of twists and turns. The castle is hidden down a turn off for Hopetoun sawmill.

The only way to get to this castle is by driving, as there is no public transport near by.

As you turndown the road to the sawmill you will pass a fireworks shop on the right hand side. As you cross a little bridge at the bottom of the road you will arrive in the castle car park.

Entry costs and services

I bagged this castle on Sunday the 3rd of November and the entry costs were: Cost per person- £3.50 Large vehicle (up to 16 seats)- £40.00 Coach (16+ seats)- permission required from estate office. (some prices may change)

opening hours- 9:00am-5:00pm

there is small car park.

website: http://www.hopetoun.co.uk

phone: +44 131 331 9940

Review

If you haven’t already worked it out, this castle is famous for being in the TV series Outlander as the main characters home ‘Lallybroch’.

Just to be clear, this castle is a semi-ruin and your entry cost only allows you to view the castle from its exterior. It is unsafe to enter the building.

This castle has been here since 1458 when it used to be called ‘Medhope’. You approach the castle by foot up a driveway and there are inhabited houses in the grounds and a sawmill at the back. You enter the courtyard through a beautiful archway. In the courtyard you can stand on the steps for a photo and get a good look at the building.

It is also possible to walk round the back of the castle, but be careful as it is quite muddy.

Overall, it was really interesting place to visit. I hope that the money they make from its recent popularity goes back into restoring this little treasure to its former glory.

A must visit for any Outlander fan.

Linlithgow Palace

Situated in the beautiful town of Linlithgow…

Linlithgow palace is one of the most important buildings to survive from late medieval Scotland.
— Historic Scotland – Alba Aosmhor

St Michael’s Church with its modern spire.

Getting There

Linlithgow is located in West Lothian in the central belt of Scotland. Its easy to get to by road, just take the M9. This castle is also really easy to get to by train, as Linlithgow station is easy walking distance from the grounds.

If you do want to go by car, there is some parking available in front of the castle, through the Outer Gateway added by James V in 1535, so drive carefully! This car park closes at 4pm. Alternatively, there is parking available at the bottom of the hill, but there is a charge between 8am and 6pm.

Entry Costs and services

I bagged this castle on Sunday the 27th of October 2019 and the entry costs were: Adult- £7.20, Concession-£5.40, Child (5-15)-£4.30 and free to Historic Scotland Members. some prices may change.

Open all year round: April to September 09:30 -17:30, October to March 10:00 – 16:00.

there is a car park and great walks for dogs around the castle and the loch. (check with owner about dogs in the building)

website: http://www.historicenvironment.scot

phone:+44 01506 842896

Review

when you first walk in to Linlithgow palace you will see a beautiful fountain added by James V around 1538. The site was occupied from 1124 when a Manor House belonging to David I, the founder of the burgh. Edward I used the site as a military base in the early 1300s and turned it into a fortress.

A fire in 1424 destroyed most of the building and the surrounding town. It was James I who rebuilt it as his ‘pleasure palace’ up to 1437.

The Courtyard has remained the same, but the buildings surrounding it have got bigger and more dramatic. The buildings of the Northern Quarter collapsed in 1607 and were re-built around 1620.

As you can see from the pictures the buildings and courtyard are very grand and imposing.

I really enjoyed climbing up the spiral staircase of the North West tower. From there you can see over beautiful Linlithgow Loch and most of the town.

Surrounding the Palace is the ‘Peel’. This area used to be part of the defences when it was a fortress. It is now beautiful park land which is a good day out on its own. There are events held here throughout the year such as Jousting, Party at the Palace and other performances.

Over all I felt like this was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My Castle ‘Bagging’ Journey

“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!