Scottish Highlands Castles

A dramatic ruined 14th century castle on an offshore island, linked to the shore by a ruinous stone bridge. Dunscaith was the principle seat of Clan MacDonald of Sleat before the MacDonalds moved to Duntulm in 1618. Fabulous views across Loch Eishort to the Black Cuillins.
Sleat Peninsula, Tokavaig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Principle seat of Clan MacDonald of Sleat

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Duntulm is a striking 14th-century castle atop a sheer cliff, with views to the Western Isles. The castle was erected by the MacLeod clan, on the site of an earlier broch, but later served as the family seat of the MacDonalds. Now a romantic, roofless ruin.
A855, Kilmaluag, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV51 9UF

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Home of Chiefs of MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan Castle looks across a lovely loch where seals bask. Dunvegan's Fairy Flag is reputed to have magical powers. Legend says a MacLeod married a fairy, and, when she returned to her people, she left behind the flag to protect the family from harm. The castle houses clan mementos and ancestral portraits.
A850, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV55 8WF

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Heritage Highlight: The Fairy Flag of Clan MacLeod

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Probably the most photographed castle in Scotland, spectacularly sited on an island at the head of Loch Duich. Eilean Donan was involved in many raids and sieges, reduced to rubble and authentically reconstructed to its medieval state in the mid 1900s. Several of the rooms are open to the public, including the billeting room, with 14-foot thick walls and a barrel-vaulted ceiling, and the banqueting hall, with fine Sheraton and Chippendale furniture.
Dornie, Kyle of Lochalsh, Highlands, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV40 8DX

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Hugh's Castle (Caisteal Uisdein) is a ruined late-16th-century tower house built by Hugh MacDonald of Sleat. It is wrapped in tales of clan warfare, treachery and murder. The castle is reached by a lovely 3-mile round trip walk along the coast.
South Cruidach, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Inverness Castle stands on a hill above the River Ness. There has been a fortress here since at least 1057 but the present castle is a Victorian complex of buildings in neo-Gothic style. Shakespeare has Macbeth murdering King Duncan in Inverness Castle (though Duncan actually died near Elgin).
above Castle Wynd, Inverness, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV2 3EG

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Heritage Highlight: Medieval castle well

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The romantic ruins of this late 16th-century Z-plan tower house stand above sheer cliffs at the north end of Sinclair's Bay. Built by the 5th Earl of Caithness and abandoned by 1700, it stands near a later Keiss Castle house built in 1755.
Keiss, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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The Gaelic name for Kisimul Castle is Caisteal Chiosmuil, which loosely translates as ‘castle of the rock of the small bay’, which pretty well describes this scenic medieval fortress, perched on a rocky islet at the entrance to Castle Bay, Isle of Barra. Kisimul was the seat of the chief of the Macneils of Barra.
Castlebay, Barra, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, HS9 5UZ

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The dramatic ruins of a 14th century castle cling to a rocky headland jutting into Knock Bay, on the Sleat Peninsula of Skye. The castle was begun by the MacLeods on the site of an Iron Age dun, and later rebuilt by the Macdonalds before falling into decay in the 17th century.
A851, Isleornsay, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV44 8RR

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The most westerly castle in mainland Britain, the ruined castle of Mingary dates to the 13th century and was owned for centuries by Clan MacIain. Mingary has seen historic drama aplenty; besieged and razed, garrisoned by the government troops, and famously attacked by the Spanish Armada.
Kilchoan, Acharacle, Ardnamurchan, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, PH36 4LH

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