Visited Scotland last month and spent the majority of the time in the western part and the Highlands. Here are a sampling of a few of the castles we visited. Trips to the Highlands are magnificent and truly worthwhile compared to the bustling cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. the scenery, history, castles, mountains, Lochs and people are all just fantastic.

Urquhart Castle, on Loch Ness, is estimated to be over 1000 years old and was one of the great castles taken by the English when Edward I invaded in 1296. The castle came under the control of Robert the Bruce after he became King of Scots in 1306. In 1332, in the dark days following Robert I's death, Urquhart was the only Highland castle to hold out against the English. Numerous Clan wars (McDonalds and the Glens) continued thru the middle of the 17th century, was abandoned which led to the Urquhart was partially destroyed in 1692 to prevent its use by Jacobite forces, and subsequently decayed.

Eilean Donan castle is situated on an island at the point where three sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands. The first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and stood guard over the lands of Kintail. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and re-built as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries. Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, the castle lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years until Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911 and proceeded to restore the castle to its former glory. After 20 years of toil and labor the castle was re-opened in 1932. Today, with its restoration and location, its no wonder its one of the most photographed sites in Scotland.

Dunvegan Castle, a 42,000 acre estate on the Isle of Skye, is one the greatest Hebridean castles and the only Highland fortress to have been continuously occupied by the same family for 800 years. Dunvegan has been continuously occupied by the chiefs of Clan MacLeod in an unbroken line stretching back for over 7 centuries and 30 generations. Architecturally it is a building of high importance, containing the work of at least ten building periods ranging from the 1200s to the 1850s.

The castle stands on a high basalt rock overlooking the loch. There was a Norse fortress here, but the current castle structure dates to around 1266. The site was encircled by a curtain wall that completely protected the promontory on which the castle stands. The only entrance through the wall until 1748 was through a sea gate, which still stands. Since the castle is still occupied, some private rooms are maintained for the owner and family, the 30th Chief of Clan MacLeod and their heir, the 31st Chief and not open to the public.

Dunvegan Castle’s five acres of formal gardens began life in the 18th century. Since and in stark contrast to the barren moorland and mountains which dominate Skye’s landscape, the castle’s Water Garden, Rose Garden, Walled Garden and woodland walks provide a hidden oasis for an eclectic mix of flowers, exotic plants, specimen trees and shimmering pools fed by waterfalls and streams flowing down to the sea. One of the best castles we've visited and highly recommended if visiting Skye...Cheers all.

Visited Scotland last month and spent the majority of the time in the western part and the Highlands. Here are a sampling of a few of the castles we visited. Trips to the Highlands are magnificent and truly worthwhile compared to the bustling cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. the scenery, history, castles, mountains, Lochs and people are all just fantastic.

Urquhart Castle, on Loch Ness, is estimated to be over 1000 years old and was one of the great castles taken by the English when Edward I invaded in 1296. The castle came under the control of Robert the Bruce after he became King of Scots in 1306. In 1332, in the dark days following Robert I's death, Urquhart was the only Highland castle to hold out against the English. Numerous Clan wars (McDonalds and the Glens) continued thru the middle of the 17th century, was abandoned which led to the Urquhart was partially destroyed in 1692 to prevent its use by Jacobite forces, and subsequently decayed.

Eilean Donan castle is situated on an island at the point where three sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands. The first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and stood guard over the lands of Kintail. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and re-built as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries. Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, the castle lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years until Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911 and proceeded to restore the castle to its former glory. After 20 years of toil and labor the castle was re-opened in 1932. Today, with its restoration and location, its no wonder its one of the most photographed sites in Scotland.

Dunvegan Castle, a 42,000 acre estate on the Isle of Skye, is one the greatest Hebridean castles and the only Highland fortress to have been continuously occupied by the same family for 800 years. Dunvegan has been continuously occupied by the chiefs of Clan MacLeod in an unbroken line stretching back for over 7 centuries and 30 generations. Architecturally it is a building of high importance, containing the work of at least ten building periods ranging from the 1200s to the 1850s.

The castle stands on a high basalt rock overlooking the loch. There was a Norse fortress here, but the current castle structure dates to around 1266. The site was encircled by a curtain wall that completely protected the promontory on which the castle stands. The only entrance through the wall until 1748 was through a sea gate, which still stands. Since the castle is still occupied, some private rooms are maintained for the owner and family, the 30th Chief of Clan MacLeod and their heir, the 31st Chief and not open to the public.

Dunvegan Castle’s five acres of formal gardens began life in the 18th century. Since and in stark contrast to the barren moorland and mountains which dominate Skye’s landscape, the castle’s Water Garden, Rose Garden, Walled Garden and woodland walks provide a hidden oasis for an eclectic mix of flowers, exotic plants, specimen trees and shimmering pools fed by waterfalls and streams flowing down to the sea. One of the best castles we've visited and highly recommended if visiting Skye...Cheers all.