Scottish CastlesAn Awe-inspiring Link To The Past!
But when it comes to the word 'impressive', Scotland castles have so much more to offer than just sheer numbers. In fact the castles of Scotland include some of the oldest (and most famous) castles in the world, and they each have a story to tell about this countrys' fascinating, but violent and turbulent, past. Learn more about some of Scotlands most famous, notorious and well-loved, castles below. Scottish Castles - In The Beginning.....Scotland is an ancient country, and it's incredibly rich in history. You have to go a LONG way back in time to find the first inhabitants of this land, all the way back to the 'Mesolithic' period in fact, around 7000 BC.Of course, no castles existed at that time, and it wasn't until several thousand years later that people began to even build homes (basic wood/stone huts) rather than live in caves. Then we have to move forward again, by approximately another 3,500 years, before the very earliest signs of 'fortifications' (early Forts) appear as simple wood/stone structures. These may have been the very first Scottish 'Castles'. However, the oldest existing Scotland Castles today, go back to the 11th and 12th centuries, about the time that the Normans invaded Scotland. That's plenty old enough for me though, and when you're standing inside one of these incredible structures you can almost feel the history seeping out of the ancient walls around you. It's an experience no visitor to Scotland should miss. There are as many different words to describe the castles of Scotland as there are castles themselves - which is fitting as each one is unique in its' own right. For me, Scottish castles are sort of like little slices of history, or maybe even individual pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and when you learn about each one you can start to see the whole picture (or 'pie' if we go with the 'slice' analogy). The castles of Scotland ARE this countrys' history, and they're right here waiting for you to explore them.
Scottish Castles - Where and WhyWhy does Scotland have so many castles? That's a fair question given how tiny the country actually is, but if you know anything about Scottish history the answer is pretty clear....It's because this nation has a very contentious, battle-strew and bloody past, with numerous invasions (the Normans, vikings and Romans to name a few), and (until the 18th Century) an ongoing, almost continual, conflict between Scotland and the rest of Britain!
Although some were built at the location of previous fortresses, or abbeys, in general Scotland castles were built with military purposes in mind, and that's why you'll find them in some of the most spectacular locations. Whether perched on the very edge of a cliff, with the ocean pounding the rocks far below; on an island at the meeting point of 3 deep lochs; on a 'spur' of ancient volcanic rock overlooking heather-covered glens; or on craggy snow-covered mountainsides; the locations were carefully chosen by 'canny' Scots. The fact that so many castles are still standing is testament to the skill and foresight of the ancient Scottish people who built them. Scottish castles are closely tied to the Clans of Scotland and the Scottish monarchy. Each clan would have a castle within their territory, where the Clan Chief and his family would live. Because of the volatile and turbulent nature of Scottish history (including considerable clan-rivalry), sometimes these castles would 'change hands' (often several times) between warring clans, and between governments and royalty. Over the centuries, many of Scotlands' castles were visited members of the royalty and famous Scottish people (such as Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace, various royalty and more), and they were often sought out as places of refuge and safety. Today many of the castles that have been renovated and kept in good repair are still home to the 'landed gentry', the official 'seat' of a particular Scottish clan, or the birthplace or home of royalty. So, although the castles of Scotland were mostly built during the period between the 11th - 14th centuries, they've proved themselves to be as strong and resilient as their creators intended, and still stand strong and proud..... bearing witness not just to Scotlands' fascinating past, but to the tenacity, bravery and love of tradition that still lives in the heart of every Scot today!
Some Famous Scottish CastlesWith over 3000 to choose from, making a 'short list' of Scotland castles is pretty much an impossible task.There's a castle (or several castles!) to suit every taste... whether you prefer spectacular, windswept ruins or enchanting, 'fairytale' architecture. But I made a valiant effort to pick out a handful of Scottish castles, ones that I feel will showcase the richness and diversity of these awesome structures. I hope you enjoy them. Balmoral Castle - 14th Century Aberdeenshire
Originally built as an 'Estate House' in 1390, Queen Victoria fell in love with it during a visit to the Scottish Highlands in the mid 1800's. She described it as "my dear paradise in the Highlands" Bothwell Castle - 13th Century Clyde and Ayrshire
This is one of the largest stone castles in Scotland, and it's enormously thick (up to 16ft. in places) and imposing walls (up to 60ft. tall) are made from red sandstone. The Donjon (or main tower) are architecturally stunning and have been described as ‘the grandest piece of secular architecture that the Middle Ages has bequeathed to us in Scotland’ by Dr W. Douglas Simpson, of King’s College at the University of Aberdeen. Due to a series of invasions and seiges, the original plans for this castle were never completed, and it was added to 'bit by bit' over the centuries. Much of what stands today is the result of work done in the early 15th century. Interesting historical facts relating to Bothwell Castle.....
The ruins of this historic Scottish castle are open to the public throughout the year. Cawdor Castle - 14th Century Invernesshire
As a 'Cawdor Campbell' myself, I'm a little bit biased, but I definitely think this is a castle of the 'fairytale' variety! Dumbarton Castle - 13th Century Clyde and Ayrshire
It's perched perilously high, straddling the twin peaks of a volcanic rock known as 'Dumbarton Rock', an incredible naturally-occurring defensive location Edinburgh Castle - 12th Century Edinburgh
In fact it's impressive rocky foundation is actually a 70 million year old extinct volcano! Eilean Donan Castle - 13th Century Loch Duich
Urquhart Castle - 11th Century Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness
As with so many of Scotlands' castles, Urquhart Castle has a magnificent setting and is strategically placed in terms of defense The Clans of Scotland
|
 |
 |
 |
 |