History

History

Scotland's Castles and Historic Houses

Traquair

Traquair

The oldest continually inhabited house or castle in Scotland, Traquair is also one of the most romantic. Prince Charles Edward Stuart stayed here in 1745 and the gates remain closed until a Stuart returns to the throne.

Mary Queen of Scots House

Marie

Mary Queen of Scots stayed for some weeks in Jedburgh in 1566. The house in which she stayed is now an internationally famous museum. A unique B&B opportunity.

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow

A great ruin, but so much of this Palace of Scottish Kings and Queens still stands that you can really get a feel for life in a great Scottish Chateau.

Hermitage Castle

Hermitage castle

Hermitage Castle is one of the most impressive Scottish Castles. Gaunt and forbidding, it was where James Bothwell future husband of Mary Queen of Scots lay wounded after a local battle. Mary rode out from Jedburgh to visit him.

Building Culzean Castle

Robert Adam

Near the end ofthe 1700's Robert Adam transformed an ancient rambling tower house into romantic Culzean Castle, on a cliff edge overlooking the sea in South West Scotland. U.S. President Eisenhower was given the top apartment in 1945.

Culzean Castle Interiors

Culzean ceiling roundel

Photographs of the interior of Culzean Castle. Portrait by Lefevre of Napoleon Bonapart, Adam decoration with roundels by Zucci, Music Room, Dining Room, etc.

Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness

Castle Urquhart

Castle Urquhart stands on a promontory on Loch Ness in Scotland's Great Glen. This is a history of this strife torn castle, one of Scotland's largest and most important.

Crichton Castle

Crichton Castle

This is the monogram of Francis Stuart who built magnificent Renaissance additions to the medieval Castle of Crichton which overlooks the river Tyne just South of Edinburgh. This castle was used in the filming of "Rob Roy".

Strome Castle

Strome Castle

Strome Castle, built by the Rosses, owned by MacDonalds and attacked by McKenzies. A sea-loch fortress on the West Coast near Lochcarron.

Threave Castle

Threave

The castle is on an island in the middle of the River Dee; even getting to it is an exciting and romantic experience.

Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock

Carving of a stag and holly bush. The emblem of the Earl of Nithsdale above the entrance to one of the most evocative castles in Scotland...

Barcaldine Castle

Barcaldine Castle

Barcaldine Castle was built by Black Duncan, Sir Duncan Campbell, 7th Knight of Glenorchy, in 1609 - a time when the West Coast of Scotland was in turmoil. He needed a defensive house which commanded good views of his surrounding land, and not only that, but bartizans (the towers on the corners), gun loops, shot holes, secret stairs, a dungeon and 9 foot thick walls. By the 1800s Scotland had become more peaceful and the castle had fallen into disuse until 1897 when it was restored to become a home again. Today (after further sensitive refurbishment) you may stay (very comfortably) at Barcaldine Castle for bed and breakfast.

Warmly recommended book:

Drumlanrig: The Castle, its People and its Paintings

Drumlanrig Castle

Drumlanrig Castle is the majestic Dumfriesshire family home to the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. It is also home to part of the internationally renowned Buccleuch Art Collection featuring such treasures as Rembrandt's The Old Woman Reading as well as many other fine paintings, tapestries and objects d'art.

Drumlanrig Castle

Much more than a guide book, it is beautifully produced with Fritz von Schulenburg's exceptional and inimitable photography and written by John Montague Douglas Scott, brother of the Duke. The history of Drumlanrig is entwined with the history of Scotland and this lovely little book along with being a detailed guide to the magnificient castle gives a fascinating glimpse into the lives of its people and the stories behind the paintings.

The link Drumlanrig: The Castle, its People and its Paintings goes to Amazon.