Best castle

Published on Friday 12 June 2009 19:19

CRAIGNETHAN, near Lanark, 01555 860364 www.historic-scotland.gov.ukCraignethan lies at the confluence of two rivers on a bluff only accessible from the west.

Its main claim to fame is its association with Tillietudlum Castle in Scott's Old Mortality. Built in 1532 by Sir James Hamilton, a friend of the Stuart kings, it saw some disturbances before being abandoned. It was rescued by Historic Scotland in 1949 and large chunks of it are still intact.

TOROSAY, Mull, 01680 812421, www.torosay.com When the estate, at Craignure, fell to a Colonel Campbell of Glasgow, he built a large house and gardens there after 1829. The castle later came into the possession of the Guthrie family and they restored it after the war as a hotel. To visit the extensive rooms now is to see a really fascinating family home with many welcoming touches.

CAWDOR, near Nairn, 01667 404401 www.cawdorcastle.comAnother welcoming castle with humorous touches for visitors. Cawdor was built in the 14th century for the Thanes of Cawdor (not Macbeth). It looks every bit the typical Scottish castle and has gardens and nature trails, too. For a Shakespeare link, there is a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream on 18 July!

CARNASSERIE, near Kilmartin, Argyll www.historic-scotland.gov.uk Carnasserie was built by John Carswell, the first Protestant Bishop of the Isles. He was a renowned Gaelic scholar and translated the prayer book of John Knox into Gaelic. The property fell to the Campbells after Carswell died and it was for a while the most palatial house in Argyll. It looks like a tower fort but inside there is still much there that gives you an idea of the magnificence of the original.

STIRLING, 01786 450000, www.historic-scotland.gov.uk At the top of Broad Street in the town of Stirling there lies one of the biggest, most historic and photogenic castles in Scotland. Dating from the 16th century it was the home of most of Scotland's kings and queens. There is plenty to see from the Great Hall outwards, even though the palace is closed at the moment for refurbishment. Make sure you see the excellent views of historic battlefields and grand scenery of Central Scotland from the ramparts.