Scottish Highlands Castles

This late 16th-century tower house is the northernmost castle in the British Isles. Built by the Chamberlain of Shetland in 1598, destroyed by French pirates in 1627, abandoned in the late 18th century, and now a roofless ruin.
Muness, Unst, Shetland, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Noltland Castle is a ruined 16th-century Z-plan tower house near Pierowall, Westray. The tower house was built by the Balfour family and features a large number of gun loops and an impressive staircase.
Pierowall, Westray, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: 71 gun holes, most of any Scottish castle

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Inverlochy Castle is a ruined medieval fortress on the banks of the River Lochy about a mile north east of Fort William. One of Scotland's earliest stone castles, the 13th-century fortress was built by the powerful Comyn family. The castle is in the form of a square with round towers at the corners.
Fort William, Highlands, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, PH33 6TF

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Think of Ormacleit as a fortified manor rather than a castle and you will be closer to the mark. There are no pinnacled towers here, merely the impressive shell of a ruined mansion intended to show the power and influence of Clan Ranald.
Ormacleit, South Uist, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Scalloway Castle is a castellated mansion built in 1600 by Patrick Stewart, the notorious Earl of Orkney, and later used as a courthouse and place of execution.
Castle Street, Scalloway, Shetland, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, ZE1 0TP

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A ruinous early 15th-century castle on a rocky headland above the north shore of Loch Carron. Fought over by the MacDonalds and Mackenzies for almost two centuries, and finally destroyed in 1602.
North Strome, Strathcarron, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV54 8YJ

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Heritage Highlight: Battleground for clan rivalry between the MacDonalds and Mackenzies

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Urquhart Castle is probably the most popular visitor attraction in the Loch Ness area (if you don't count the Loch Ness Monster!). The castle is situated in a dramatic location overlooking the loch and was once one of the largest medieval fortresses in Scotland.
A82, Dumnadrochit, HIghlands, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV63 6XJ

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