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Scotland Castles: The History of Castles across Rugged Terrain

The Scottish Flag

Scotland castles range from Craigmillar Castle, once a proud family home on the outskirts of Edinburgh, to Duart Castle, an isolated stone sentinel on the Isle of Mull, to the mighty Caerlaverock Castle - an unusual, triangular beast designed to protect Scottish borders from the English invaders.

Scotland is the proudest of all the nations which make up the present-day United Kingdom, and the independent Scottish spirit is forged from the years of border-struggle between the Scots and the English.

Indeed, thanks to Scotland's rugged hills, majestic castles and historical highlights, the Scottish tourism industry is booming. Make sure you check the latest Scottish travel information if you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The staggering magic of the rocky outcrop that houses Dunnottar Castle. You think these things are only in fairy-tales. Credit: JelleS, Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Our favourite of the Scotland Castles

Craigmillar Castle- a home of Mary, Queen of Scots

Craigmillar Castle. (Credit)

Craigmillar Castle nestles in the suburbs of Edinburgh, and was a frequent stopping-over place for Mary, Queen of Scots, whenever she was North of the Border.

This small Scottish castle was designed for domestic life, rather than for defence, but it's an interesting and atmospheric set of ruins for exploration.

Duart Castle - Sentinel of the Isle of Mull

Duart Castle. (Credit)

Duart Castle is a lonely little stone castle, that stands guard on the choppy Sound of Mull.

It's the ancestral home to the proud Maclean clan - whose lineage stretches back hundreds of years. You might even meet the Chief of the Clan if you visit today!

Caerlaverock Castle - a Spectacular, Triangular Design

Caerlaverock Castle. (Credit)

One of our collection of castles needs to be seen from the air - the spellbinding Caerlaverock Castle.

Imagine a castle in the shape of a triangle, with a tower at each corner, surrounded by a deep, dark moat, and you'll have visualised this amazing construction.

Caerlaverock is quite unique - there's no other castle in the world quite like it. As a result, it makes a brilliant day out.

Understanding the History of Scotland's Castles

The 1707 Act of Union united Scotland and England, and formed Great Britain as we now know it. The ride up to 1707, however, was never a smooth one (and you could argue that it's not now smooth sailing: modern Scottish politicians are arguing for Scotland to disentangle itself from the UK).

A very typical (or some might say, stereotypical!) Scottish photograph: a bagpiper atop Craigmillar castle. Credit: Stuart Caie, Creative Commons (CC BY 2.0).

Scotland was always a fiercely independent series of territories. However, the Scotland of Medieval times looked nothing like the country we know today. The kingdom was a patchwork of power and of opposing forces, where the nobility of Scotland struggled to maintain their lands against assaults from the English, and also from the Norwegian (Norse) people who has settled on the Western Isles.

It was King David I who laid the beginnings of feudalism in Scotland, and who triggered the construction of Scotland castles. David I reigned as King of the Scots from 1124-1153, and had learned a lot from the success of the Normans, who had invaded and captured England and Wales from 1066 onwards. He saw the value of building castles to maintain power over the lands he ruled. David I allowed nobles to build castles and to take power themselves over small chunks of his kingdom - as long as they would lend him men in times of war.

Robert the Bruce vs the 'Hammer of the Scots': How a lack of castles prevented Edward I from conquering Scotland

The first Scotland castles were built under David I in the c12th, and were constructed of wood. In the 13th century, as methods of working with heavy materials began to improve, brick then became to be used. Scotland castles were primarily used defensively - to hold power, and to protect communities against invaders. As a result, most castles were built in the areas most at risk from invasion - such as in Galloway, which marked the southern borders between England and Scotland.

In 1295, angered by a Scottish treaty with the French, Edward I invaded Scotland. He slaughtered thousands at Berwick, confiscated the jewels of Scotland, and assumed power. However, he hadn't counted on Scottish rebellions. William Wallace and, in 1306, Robert the Bruce, challenged Edward's rule fiercely.

After spending so much money on his Welsh castles, Edward I didn't have the funds to build any more Scotland castles. As a result - and as a result of being too cocky about the skills of Robert the Bruce - he didn't hold power of the country for long. He died in 1307, and his dying wish was not to be buried until Scotland was captured - unfortunately for him, it was never to be.

Culzean Castle. Rather than being a defensive stronghold, this was an elaborate family home built in the 1600s - when castles were becoming to be rather romanticised. Credit: John, Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).