20 of Scotland's most stunning castles and palaces

By Finlay Greig

Published 25th Jan 2019, 13:51 BST

Updated 25th Jan 2019, 15:03 BST

Kilchurn Castle is one of the many remarkable castles which punctuates Scotland's wild landscape

placeholder image — Kilchurn Castle is one of the many remarkable castles which punctuates Scotland's wild landscape

From clan seats to royal residencies Scotland has no shortage of stunning and romantic castles.

Travel back in time with our gallery of the country's most picturesque castles and palaces

A familiar sight to users of the A828, Castle Stalker has passed between the hands of the McDougall, Stewart and Campbell clans. In recent times it featured in legendary comedy Monty Python and The Holy Grail

placeholder image — A familiar sight to users of the A828, Castle Stalker has passed between the hands of the McDougall, Stewart and Campbell clans. In recent times it featured in legendary comedy Monty Python and The Holy Grail

Located above the banks of Loch Fyne, Inveraray Castle serves as the seat of Dukes of Argyll, the chiefs of Clan Campbell.

placeholder image — Located above the banks of Loch Fyne, Inveraray Castle serves as the seat of Dukes of Argyll, the chiefs of Clan Campbell.

This Argyll castle served as the seat of the Campbells of Glenorchy until it was abandoned and ruined in the 18th Century

placeholder image — This Argyll castle served as the seat of the Campbells of Glenorchy until it was abandoned and ruined in the 18th Century

Situated at the confluence of three lochs, Eilean Donan is magnificently situated. The castle was once a stronghold of clans Mackenzie and MacRae.

placeholder image — Situated at the confluence of three lochs, Eilean Donan is magnificently situated. The castle was once a stronghold of clans Mackenzie and MacRae.

Precariously perched above the roaring North Sea its hard to imagine what life would have been like during the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle was the hiding place of Scotland's crown jewels during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of the country.

placeholder image — Precariously perched above the roaring North Sea its hard to imagine what life would have been like during the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle was the hiding place of Scotland's crown jewels during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of the country.

Famed for its location above Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle is steeped in Scottish history. The castle was partially destroyed in 1692 in order to prevent Jacobite forces from utilising its strategic position.

placeholder image — Famed for its location above Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle is steeped in Scottish history. The castle was partially destroyed in 1692 in order to prevent Jacobite forces from utilising its strategic position.

Brodick Castle was built in the 16th century and has previously served as the seat for the Duke of Hamilton. Hikers who climb Goat Fell begin by hiking through the castle's striking gardens.

placeholder image — Brodick Castle was built in the 16th century and has previously served as the seat for the Duke of Hamilton. Hikers who climb Goat Fell begin by hiking through the castle's striking gardens.

Located in the farthest reaches of Scotland's mainland, Castle of Mey serves as a fine vantage point for the Orkney Islands.

placeholder image — Located in the farthest reaches of Scotland's mainland, Castle of Mey serves as a fine vantage point for the Orkney Islands.

This Angus residence served as the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The castle is claimed to be one of the most haunted locations in the UK.

placeholder image — This Angus residence served as the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The castle is claimed to be one of the most haunted locations in the UK.