Scotland and the great castles

 This article features the great castles of Scotland including Edinburgh Castle, Balmoral Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, Stirling Castle, Urquhart Castle, Dunnottar Castle, Blair Castle and Glamis Castle.

Edinburgh Castle
In the 11th century, the Castle Rock was known as the ‘Castle of Maidens’ Why ‘Maidens’ is a mystery, but there was a story that the Picts, the native tribe living to the north of the Firth of Forth, used to keep virgins there!

In 1938 a monument was erected on the Castle Esplanade to Sergeant Charles Ewart, of the Royal North British Dragoons, (the Scots Greys), who single-handedly captured the eagle and standard of the French 45th infantry at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. But look behind that great block of granite and you’ll see the broken gravestone that was rescued from his actual burial-place in Salford, England.

Balmoral Castle
Purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, the Estate has been the Scottish Home of the British Royal Family ever since. The Estate extends to just over 50,000 acres of heather clad hills, ancient Caledonian woodland, policies and of course the beautiful River Dee is nearby.

Over the past 150 years careful stewardship by the owners, The Royal Family, has preserved the wildlife, scenery and architecture which is available for all generations to enjoy. In her journals Queen Victoria described Balmoral as „my dear paradise in the Highlands”. We hope you will feel the same way about Balmoral once you have visited this most special place.

Eilean Donan Castle
The origins of Eilean Donan stretch way back in time. The remains of a Pictish fort were found in vitrified rock when excavations once took place on the island. Opposite the castle is the sculptured impression of a human foot in a stone. These have been found in other parts of Scotland at the entrance to Iron Age settlements. The name Eilean Donan is Gaelic for Island of Donan, a 7th century saint who is thought to have lived here as a religious hermit. Information boards displayed at the castle state that:

The missionary work of Abbot Donan (who was reputedly a contemporary of famous Saint Columba) took him from SW Scotland through Ayrshire northwards and into Sutherland. Presumably he then passed westwards for churches bearing his name exist in Loch Carron, Loch Broom, Kildonan in Skye and at Eilean Donan where a small oratory or cell stood. He then moved to a monastic foundation on Eigg where while celebrating the Holy Eucharist on Sunday 17 April 618 the monastery was raided by a band of marauders and Abbot Donan together with 52 of his companions were beheaded.

Stirling Castle
One of Scotland’s grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture, Stirling Castle commands the countryside for many miles around. It towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland’s past including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace’s victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce defeated the same foe in the summer of 1314.

While the castle remains open, the Palace itself is currently shut as part of a major project to present the King’s and Queen’s Lodgings as they might have appeared in the mid 16th century. The Palace will reopen in March 2011.

Urquhart Castle
The picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle are situated 2 miles from Drumnadrochit on a rocky peninsula on the banks of Loch Ness. After a chequered history, the building was blown up in 1692 to prevent it becoming a Jacobite stronghold. The castle was purchased by a Mr. Chewett in the 1930s and in 2003 was gifted by his widow to The National Trust for Scotland.

Dunnottar Castle
Less than two miles south of Stonehaven (15 miles from Aberdeen) on the Kincardineshire east coast, this much-photographed ruined fortress is an impressive site (and sight!) overlooking the North Sea from its clifftop plateau. It includes an L-plan tower house, gatehouse, hall, chapel, Priest’s House and covers an area of almost 3 acres. The keep was constructed in 1392 by Sir William Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland and many additions were made over the centuries. However records make reference to an earlier building on the site pre-dating 1296.

The castle was dismantled in 1718 after the possessions of the 10th Earl Marischal were forfeited subsequent to his part in the Jacobite Rising. After the York Buildings Company stripped the place of its lead, it fell into decay. Only in 1925 were repairs begun by Viscountess Cowdray, whose family still owns the castle today. The approach is by a steep descent on new concrete steps and path, then a steep climb up on a path – so it is not suitable for wheelchairs or visitors with mobility difficulties.

Blair Castle
With its roots in the 13th century, Blair Castle’s history extends over some 740 years, during which time it has welcomed countless generations of visitors. At the gateway to the Grampian Mountains on the route north to Inverness, the location was highly strategic. Today we can enjoy the wild beauty of the surrounding landscape but centuries ago it was a threatening and dangerous place.

Glamis Castle
A Castle fit for a Queen – By the time Mary Queen of Scots and her entourage visited Glamis in 1562, the East Wing was dominated by the main Tower, which had been added in about 1435. The Castle was enclosed within a fortified court.

The 17th century witnessed many changes. The West Wing was added, as well as a small north-east wing containing the chapel. The courtyard buildings and much of the fortifications were swept away and replaced by a baroque setting of courts, sculptures and vistas.