Castles in Scotland
Border feuds, not just with England, but also with their neighbors, spurred much of the architecture of Scottish castles. The tower house, built for two purposes-to serve as both a home and a defense against attack-was often the basis for further expansion into a full-blown castle. Some tower houses remained just that and mirror a harsh and dangerous way of life. For more information you might enjoy the Scottish Castles Association.

Balvenie Castle
Dufftown, Grampian
Balvenie Castle is a 13th-century fortress built by the Earls of Buchan. The castle stands on a small, wooded hill on the northern outskirts of Dufftown. The castle is rather … ... more
Many visitors come to Scotland just to see these historic castles:
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The evolution of Medieval Castles
Feudalism & Medieval Life
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English Castles
Scottish Castles
Castles of Wales
Our picks as the 5 most scenic castles in Scotland:

