Pop Quiz! Name these Scottish Castles

Do you love Scottish castles as much as I do?

 

Let’s see how well you know your Scottish Castles!

Once upon a time, Scotland had 3,000 castles – nearly one for every 100 square miles. Today, half STILL exist.

Many Scottish castles, dating from 13th century on, have been proudly preserved by both private individuals and Historic Scotland. While others sit in romantic ruin…

If you’ve ever traveled to Scotland, of course you’ve seen them. Cuz they are everywhere. Castles command pastoral countrysides, seaports, rocky cliffs, sleepy villages and strategic hilltop positions overlooking important cities. No doubt you’ve toured a craggy fortress, a Tower House or a magnificent royal palace a time or two. Or three. Because that’s what tourists do. We wanna see —if only a tiny glimpse —where people lived inside a medieval fort, slept in turreted chambers, and dined in massive dining halls.

So here’s a little quiz. Let’s see how YOU do!  How many Scottish castles can you name from these photos and clues?

 

Ready Sherlock? There are 13 Scottish Castles to identify…

Castle #1

Privately owned, this 16th-century tower house gained fame in a beloved television series as the main character’s family home. Completely empty inside and hazardously void of floor boards, visitors and film crew are forbidden to enter. Yet the exterior of this stone castle remains popular among couples as a weddding venue, and draws tourists on guided group tours originating in Glasgow. Name that castle!

 

Castle #2

Since this is one of the most popular Scottish castles to tour, you only get an interior pic to view.
Banquets and grand lavish affairs took place in this Great Hall with its unique wooden ceiling. It was created in 1511 for the residing King, who died two years later in a battle instigated by his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII. Walking around this massive property takes time. You can duck into the prison, see the glittering crown jewels, visit the chapel, barracks, military museum…and of course enjoy panoramic views from the mighty citadel hilltop.

 

Castle #3

This crumbling castle overlooking the North Sea is visible to trekkers on a popular coastal walk between fishing villages. The ruin sits on the site of an earlier castle built in the 1200’s. The last owner was David Leslie, a General in the Scottish Covenanter Army, who purchased it in 1649. He renovated the north end of the castle into a 5 story Renaissance mansion. Captured at battle in 1651, he was imprisoned 9 years in the Tower of London before returning to Scotland as a Baron and returning to his castle where he died in 1682.

Most of the walls have since collapsed into sea. Walkers can explore the vaulted cellars, but take care elsewhere as the clifftop is eroding!

 

Castle #4

This 1220 castle is associated with 2 famous historical figures. Robert the Bruce attempted to capture this formidable fortress during the Wars of Independence, but failed. Years later, young Flora MacDonald was imprisioned here for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape Scotland for France. He was hiding in fear for his life– a £30,000 reward was placed on his head for leading the failed Jacobite uprising in 1745.

This immense impenetrable castle overlooks the Firth of Lorn near Oban in the western part of the country, and is one of the oldest Scottish castles. A stone chapel sits in a pretty wooded grove nearby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Castle #5

This 13th century castle is truly one-of-a-kind. Built in a triangular shape, this fortress sits in a moat. Caught in crossfire, sections of the castle are completely missing. Located in a rural countryside, an unassuming little dirt road leads to this surprising sight. Fun to explore! Go upstairs and peer down into bottomless wells. Walk around the perimeter of the moat to see this castle from all angles. Friendly informative guides onsite.

 

Castle #6

Scottish castles sometimes feel intimidating. Like this one! Barred windows, dark passages tunneling underground, and a frightening dungeon bring tales of torture to life. This castle was built in the Middle Ages as the official residence Scotland’s leading bishop. But it was not a peaceful time. Religious tensions escalated into bloodthirsty wars. A Protestant preacher was burned alive. His supporters murdered the Catholic Cardinal who lived here in retaliation. Years later, an archbishop was hanged for opposing the Reformation.

Death and destruction continued, until bishops were abolished in 1592. With no more bishops to occupy the dwelling, this castle was abandoned and fell into ruin.

Visit the site at your own pace and brave the unusual tunnels. Then grab a bite down the street. Plenty of scones, coffee, gelato and pub food in this college town.

     

 

Castle #7

In 1847, a man who made his fortune in Chinese Opium bought a Scottish island and built this castle as his private residence. Many years later, in 1918, the island and castle were for sale. An Englishman, who’d visited the island on a vacation cruise, decided to buy both. He made improvements to the island and the castle, adding electricity, heating, bathrooms and an intercom system. He loved to entertain, and threw lavish parties in his ballroom.

Upon his death, he willed this castle to the islanders. Over the years it’s been used as a naval hospital, a college, and now tourism. The castle hosts a cafe, cultural museum and hotel.

 

Castle #8

Perhaps the tiniest castle in Scotland! (No, maybe it’s Threave?)  The private owner, who inhabits this as his home, will let you explore inside for a small fee. Reservations required so he knows when to paddle over and pick you up in his rowboat. Once on the islet, poke around. You’ll hear stories and see momentos from the time when this owner was an extra on a movie set. His castle was used in the final scenes of Monty Python’s Holy Grail.

Beware that high winds may cancel your tour, as it did ours. And the water is simply too cold to swim across…

 

Castle #9

Did you know that you can actually sleep inside Scottish castles? We stayed in this fortified Tower House, and what a fairytale dream!

Who could resist this grand canopy at the top of spiral stone staircase? We splurged on this elegant Lairds room which sleeps three. Breakfast was served in the medieval dining hall under the watchful gaze of knights in armor standing beside a fire-lit hearth. You’d never guess that this pink castle, built in 1457, sits smack dab in a modern neighborhood, a short drive from a major city.

 

Castle #10

This is the only Scottish castle with a Catholic chapel. The queen who attended mass here also loved hunting and falconry at her favorite country estate. You can walk through her bedroom and other elaboratedly decorated rooms in this Renaissance palace, before strolling past roses and yew hedges in the gardens leading to Britian’s oldest tennis court. The queen loved the sport and scandalized society by brazenly wearing men’s breeches to play.

This turreted castle, built in 1500, is easy to find. It sits on the corner of a cobblestone road in the heart of a village quite famous among Outlander fans.

 

Castle #11

If you’ve stared at postcards of Scottish castles, then you can identify this one at first glance. It’s Scotland’s most photographed. Sitting on an island in the Highlands, where three lochs meet, this 13th century castle is best appreciated at high tide. Badly damaged in the 17th c Jacobite uprisings, it sat in ruin for 200 years. But Lt. Colonel MacRae bought the island in 1911, and spent 20 years reconstructing and restoring this castle to its former glory. His descendants still own the castle today.

Visitors learn the history on guided tours, where weapons used in the Jacobite uprisings are on display. This castle makes a striking setting for weddings and film location, both popular here.

Castle #12

This formidable cliff-top fortress has a long and varied history, dating all the way back to a Pictish fort in the 3rd century! Perched atop a dramatic rocky outcrop, this castle looks impregnable, but was captured and completely destroyed twice. Vikings first attacked, and killed the King of Scotland here in 900 AD. But when William Wallace destroyed it again in 1297, it triggered a vicious battle and this time Robert the Bruce won. He granted the land to his friend Sir Robert de Keith who built a majestic Tower House in 1392 – the ruins of which you see today.

Scotland’s powerful Keith family inhabited this castle for over 400 years. Until young Earl Marischal George Keith was convicted of treason in the failed Jacobite rising. The government seized his castle, striped away everything and sold it to a mining company. The Pearson family owns it today and offers self-guided tours.

This evocative castle magnetically draws tourists, even if it’s a bit far away. Worth it. Come spend the day.

 

Castle #13

Okay, so this isn’t really a castle. It just looks like one! Built in 1896, this adorable stone building houses all-female students. But it’s open to the public in summer months. And what a fun place to stay! Rooms have tall ceilings, chandeliers, and chocolates on twin bed pillows. Walk everywhere from here — to the beach, golf course, Cathedral and even a real castle. There’s so much to see and do in this historic tourist town.

 

So…

How did you do? Did you identify ALL the Scottish castles — or get stumped by a few???

Ready to guess? Anwers here.