For New Years’s Eve 2020 I decided to do a five-day road trip in the Scottish Highlands and I discovered how magical and mysterious Scotland really is. It was my first time visiting and I have to say that Scotland is for me the most scenic part of the United Kingdom. I went Castle Hunting on my road trip and managed to see 12 castles in 5 days! My trip wasn’t just about Castle Hunting though, I’ve also visited many Harry Potter locations, because I am a huge fan so I am definitely gonna write a blog post about that soon!
Did you know that there are over 2000 castles in Scotland?
Including the exact locations in Google Maps, because I know how hard it can be to find the location if you just have a nice picture of the place and that’s it. In all my blog posts I will always share the locations of my pictures with you guys!
Another thing I will include in my blog posts will be the best time to visit for taking nice photos.
Get ready guys, because in this blog post I will take you on a magical journey along the most beautiful castles in Scotland!
Hope you enjoy reading my blog post about the iconic castles of Scotland and you will find your Wanderlust with me!
Are you planning a visit to Scotland?
Wondering where the most photogenic, magical & perfectly Instagrammable castles are?
I put together a list of the best castles in Scotland for photography that I found during my visit! Of course, as always, you can find all those spots on my Instagram as well. Let’s get started!
Here’s my list of the most Instagrammable castles in Scotland.
With Love,
Adele @Wanderlusterprincess
1) CRAIGIEVAR CASTLE
This castle is pink! Do I have to say more?! If fairytales were real, all castles would look like Craigievar. This stunning property is said to be the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle. The great seven-storey castle is an excellent example of the original Scottish Baronial architecture and it was completed in 1626 by the merchant William Forbes.
Did you know that Craigievar Castle was the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle?
Best Time to Visit: You can see the castle from the outside and take pictures at any time. I went there at the end of December around 1 pm and almost nobody was around.
Opening Times: April-June, Friday-Tuesday 10.30-16.00 (last entry); July-September, daily 10.30-16.00 (last entry)
Exact Address: Craigievar Castle, Craigievar, Alford, UK
Google Maps Location – click here
2) EILEAN DONAN CASTLE
Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most iconic places in Scotland! It is situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet. No wonder that the castle is one of the most visited attractions in the Scottish Highlands.
The first castle on the island was built in the 12th/13th century possibly by either King Alexander II or by Farquar II, Earl of Ross to help strengthen defenses against the Danes.
Fun Fact: Did you know that movies Highlander and Elizabeth: The Golden Age were filmed at Eilean Donan Castle?
Best Time to Visit: You can see the castle from the outside at any time. The best time for photography is sunrise, so you don‘t have other people in your pictures. As soon as the castle opens, there tons of people on the small bridge leading to the castle and it doesn’t look nice on the pictures. I went there for sunrise at the end of December and there were just a few fellow photographers around. After Edinburgh Castle is this the most crowded castle in Scotland.
Opening Times:
Winter 10.00am – 4.00pm (Last Admission 3.00pm)
Summer 10.00am – 6.00pm (Last Admission 5.00pm)
Exact Address: Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8DX, United Kingdom
Google Maps Location – click here
3) EDINBURGH CASTLE
Did you know that Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe?
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. Did you know that Edinburgh Castle‘s origins are truly ancient, dating back to prehistory?
Set upon its mighty rock, Edinburgh Castle’s strategic advantage is clear. The castle has a long rich history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison, and fortress. Edinburgh Castle is for sure my favorite landmark in the Scottish capital.
My Photography Tip: The best spot to photograph Edinburgh castle is from the Vennel Steps. The Vennel is a beautiful alleyway in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket area, directly across the road from the Fiddlers Arms pub.
Best Time to Visit: The Vennel Steps alley is a kinda hidden gem, which means you can take nice pics there anytime! On the other hand, if you want to get a great picture in front of Edinburgh Castle, you need to get there before they open.
Opening Times: Summer (1 April – 30 September) 9:30am-6pm (Last Entry 5pm) Winter (1 October – 31 March) 9:30am-5pm (Last Entry 4pm)
Exact Address: Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, UK
Google Maps Location – click here
4) CASTLE FRASER
Castle Fraser is one of the largest tower houses in Scotland! The core of the castle possibly dates back to the 1450s. Wondering around the castle grounds you can soak up the atmosphere of old Scotland.
My Tip: This castle is very close to the Pink Castle so you can see both in one day like I did.
Best Time to Visit: If you wanna see the castle just from the outside and take pictures, you can practically come anytime. I went around 11:30 am in December and nobody was around.
Opening Times: February–29 March, Saturday & Sunday, 11.00–14.00 (guided tours only) 30 March–1 November, Monday–Saturday (guided tours): 10.00–15.00; Sunday (open guiding): 10.00–16.00
2 November–13 December, Saturday & Sunday, 11.00–14.00 (guided tours only 14 December–5 February 2021, closed
Exact Address: Castle Fraser, Inverurie, UK
Google Maps Location – click here
5) DUNNOTTAR CASTLE
This medieval fortress has the most magical setting of all the castle I have visited on my Scotland road trip! The dramatic ruined cliff top was the home of the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland. Dunnottar Castle is located on the beautiful East Coast of Scotland, five minutes from a quirky fisherman’s village, Stonehaven
Did you know that this castle was once home to one of the most powerful families in Scotland?
Best Time to Visit: Best and the most magical time to visit is sunrise. I witnessed my prettiest sunrise in Scotland at this fortress. It gets quite busy even at sunrise – I encountered around 10 other photographers.
My Photography Tip: It gets super windy here! Don’t wear flowy dresses or other clothes in the early morning! Your shutter speed has to be low because of the morning light and your dress will be blurry.
Opening Times: Summer Season (1st April – 30th September) 9:00 – 17:30 every day Winter Season (1st October – 31st March) usually 10:00-15:30
Exact Location: Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, UK
Google Maps Location- click here
6) CASTLE STALKER
This castle is a real hidden gem! I went there to see a sunrise and it literally took my breath away! Castle Stalker is one of many sea castles in Scotland. The castle was originally built around 1320 belonging to the MacDougalls when they were Lords of Lorn.
Did you know that the name Stalker – in the Gaelic, Stalcaire, means Hunter or Falconer?
Best Time to Visit: This castle is not really famous so it doesn’t get crowded.
My Recommendation: Very tricky thing here is parking. There are no parking spots anywhere in the village because it’s just for the locals. There is a cafe just before the village with a big parking lot though. Park there, buy coffee or tea and walk down to the castle! Don’t use the „shortcut“ through the forest behind the parking lot. I went there and I literally had to climb down a mud path in the forest and climb over two fences to get to castles. Just use the main road. It is definitely a faster and better route.
Opening Times: The castle is located in the middle of lake Loch Linnhe. I saw it from the lake beach. If you wanna go inside the castle, you can arrange a private visit on their website.
Exact Address: Castle Stalker, Appin PA38 4BL, United Kingdom
Google Maps Location – click here
7) GLAMIS CASTLE
Glamis Castle is situated beside the village Glamis in Angus in Scotland and it has been the ancestral seat to the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the birthplace of Princess Margaret.
Did you know that Glamis Castle was an inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth?
Best Time to Visit: Go during opening hours otherwise you won’t even be able to access the castle grounds and park. When I went there I got lucky that half of the gate was open so we drove in and was able to take pictures.
My Tip: Be sure to come during the opening hours! This castle is one of many castles in Scotland that you can’t access outside of the opening hours. By that I mean you can’t see it from the outside, because the whole area around the castle is fenced.
Opening Times: 18th January – 28th March open every weekend (Gardens and Kitchen Restaurant only) 28th March – 31st October open daily (Castle, Gardens and Kitchen Restaurant) 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Exact Address: Glamis Castle, JXCX+38 Glamis, Forfar, United Kingdom
Google Maps Location – click here
8) URQUHART CASTLE
Urquhart Castle offers wild natural beauty and 1,000 years of history. If you want to visit Lake Loch Ness, this is the top place you need to see. Enjoy stunning views over lake Loch Ness from the ruins of this castle in the Highlands. If you get lucky, maybe you will be able to spot the legendary Loch Ness Monster. I wasn’t lucky to see it lol.
Best Time to Visit: Go during opening hours otherwise you won’t even be able to access the castle grounds. Try to be there as soon as they open, so you can enjoy half an hour of peace and quiet before the masses arrive.
Watch out for the Loch Ness Monster!
Opening Times: 9:30 am – 5 pm daily
Exact Location: Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit, Inverness, UK
Google Maps Location – click here
9) CRATHES CASTLE
Crathes Castle is every inch the classic Scottish tower house, which stands against a backdrop of rolling hills. You should definitely explore the glorious castle gardens with the iconic yew hedges, planted in 1702.
My Tip: I found this castle accidentally on Google Maps when I was planning the route from Dunnottar Castle to Castle Fraser. Its location is very convenient if you are visiting either of these castles. I was amazed by the very unique hedges in the garden with the backdrop of the 16th-century castle. You should totally put this place on your list!
Best Time to Visit: You can admire this castle from outside anytime. I was there around 10:30 am and I can take all the pictures I wanted without people photobombing.
Opening Times: Winter 11:00 am – 16:00 pm
Summer 10:30 am – 17:00 pm
Exact Location: Crathes Castle, Crathes, Banchory, UK
Google Maps Location – click here
10) KILCHURN CASTLE
Another hidden gem is Kilchurn Castle. The Castle was built in the mid-1400s by Sir Colin Campbell, 1st Lord of Glenorchy. The ruins of the castle are located on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of lake Loch Awe.
My Tip: You can walk all the way to the castle, which takes approximately ten minutes from the parking lot. However, the best viewpoint to see the ruins is on the opposite of the lake. Please take care when walking to the shores of the lake, because the whole area is very swampy.
Best Time to Visit: You can explore the ruins anytime. Not that many tourists visit this castle, but it’s very popular among locals.
Exact Address: Kilchurn Castle, Lochawe, Dalmally PA33 1AF, United Kingdom
Google Maps Location – click here
11) CARLOWRIE CASTLE
The Castle was built in the Scottish Baronial style between 1852 and 1855. I love learning the history of places I visit! How about you?!
To be honest, I found this castle last minute on the day I flew to Edinburgh because I saw a beautiful picture of it and it is located literally next to the airport.
Did you know that the Carlowrie Castle has only ever belonged to two families: the Hutchison family, who built it, and the Marshall family, who acquired it 130 years later.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to see this castle is when you are driving from or to the airport because it’s next to it.
Exact Address: Carlowrie Castle, Boathouse Bridge Road, Kirkliston, West Lothian, Edinburgh, Scotland, Dalmeny EH29 9ES, United Kingdom
Google Maps Location – click here
12) CASTLE BRAEMAR
This iconic landmark lies in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. With its castellated turrets, a star-shaped curtain wall and a bottlenecked dungeon is Castle Braemar another example of Scottish castles. The Earls of Mar, who were among the earliest rulers of Scotland, built Braemar Castle in 1628 as a base for hunting excursions.
My Tip: I visited this castle just before sunset on the same day as Dunnottar Castle, Crathes Castle, Castle Fraser, and Craigievar Castle. All of these stunning castles are very close to each other so it is possible to see them in one day.
Best Time to Visit: You can admire Castle Braemar at any time from the outside. It is located just next to the main road.
Opening Times: 26th March-29th October 10 am – 17:00 pm
Exact Address: Castle Braemar, Ballater AB35 5XR, United Kingdom
Google Maps Location – click here
Do you agree with my recommendations for the most Instagrammable castles in Scotland?
Have something to add? Or you just want my travel advice? Mention it in the comments below or contact me.
XOXO,
Adele
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