Three Castles to Visit in the Highlands of Scotland

 Scotland's Highlands are magical. Craggy rocks, forests, mountains, lochs, rugged landscapes, fishing villages and medieval castles. And that is where we are headed today. To visit three castles located in the Scottish Highlands. So come with me to visit three very different castles :Eilean Donan Castle, Dunvegan Castle and Dunrobin Castle!

Eilean Donan Castle

The name Eilean Donan means Isle of Donan. Situtated on an island where three lochs meet, Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most iconic images of Scotland that you can find. Built around the mid 13th century - though the land has believed to be inhabited since the 6th century - there have been four different versions of the castle that have been built and rebuilt due to feuding. It sat vacant for 200 years until the island was bought by Lt Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap in 1911. He restored it to its former glory - it took 20 years - and it was reopened in 1932. Currently there are four generations of Macraes who are constables for the castle that is now run by a Scottish charity. (The castle was rebuilt according to its original ground plans)

Visitors can access a visitor center, a large parking lot and bus tours are welcomed. You can explore every part of the castle and learn its history while taking in the beautiful views.

Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland - for over 800 years. It's located on the Isle of Skye and you can tour the castle and the gardens but also take boat trips from here to a seal colony. Home of the Chief of the Clan of the MacLeods, it was first opened to the public in 1933 and since then there have been hundreds of thousands of visitors. It is the heart of the 41,000 acre MacLeod estate and is home to several special areas of conservation.

Known for its "defensive battlements running the length of the roofline", the castle contains many important heirlooms such as the ceremonial drinking horn from the 15th Chief and the infamous Fairy Flag - one of the most treasured possessions of the Clan. Probably from Syria or Rhodes and woven of silk in the 4th Century AD, this clan banner is thought to have magical properties that, when unfurled in battle, would snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

There are also five acres of award winning gardens to visit, a campsite to stay at or holiday cottages to rent. But one of the most popular things to do here besides visiting the castle is to take a 25 minute boat ride to see the Loch Dunvegan seal colony up close. (Separate ticket required) We opted to spend our time in the castle but I'm sure if you have children with you this would be a big hit.

Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle isn't technically a castle - though it's called one. It is the northernmost of Scotland's great houses and the largest in the northern Highlands with 189 rooms. It's the family seat of the Chief of the Clan Sutherland. It is also one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating back to the 1300's. 

It resembles a French Chateau and overlooks the  Moray Firth. It's been home to a boys boarding school and was used as a naval hospital during WWI. You can take a self guided tour - this also includes the gardens -with docents available to answer your questions. (Tours are available from April 1 to October 31)

This castle stands out as special to me for a couple of reasons: the first is that I found my maiden name on a document in the dining room and the second is the falconry show that they put on in the garden.

 While walking around the dining room I noticed a guest list for visitors that stated that a Mrs. Fletcher had been to visit. I asked the docent if she knew anything about it and she said she didn't but she searched online for me and found out that Mrs. Fletcher was a pastors wife who lived nearby and had been to the castle as a visitor. How very cool! (I don't know if I'm related to that particular Fletcher but I do know that side of my family came to the US from Scotland.) 

Another highlight of visiting Dun Robin is the Falconry Show that they put on twice daily. Taking place in the garden, this show is very entertaining and informative. The show lasts about 30 minutes and highlights hawks and falcons telling the history of falconry at the castle. The gentleman who gives the show - or the falconer - is a fantastic showman - it's very entertaining. I highly recommend seeing the show if you are touring the castle.

How about you? Do you have a favorite castle to visit in Scotland?