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Tour Castles of Scotland

Inverary and Kilmory Castles

Inverary Castle is the home of the Dukes of Argyll, the chiefs of the Campbell Clan. Building started on the castle in 1743 and boasts a fine collection of portraits by Gainsborough, Ramsay & Raeburn.
Journey further along Loch Fyne to Crarae Gardens among the loveliest gardens opened to the public in Scotland. It is known for its Rhododendrums & Azaleas. Kilmory Castle gardens is also on this road.

Duart Castle

From Oban take the ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull and travel down to Fionnphort for the short crossing to the Isle of Iona for a visit to this world famous Monastery. Before returning to Mull and over to the East coast for a visit to Duart Castle dominating the sound of Mull one of the oldest inhabitated castles in Scotland. Once the home of Sir Fitzroy Maclean the castle has a fine exhibition of the clan history. Time may allow you to take the Narrow Gauge Railway from Craignure to Torsay Castle and Gardens before returning to Oban.

Eilean Donan Castle

On Leaving Oban travel along Loch Linnhe to Fort William sitting in the shadows of the United Kingdoms highest mountain Ben Nevis. Continue up the Great Glen to Invergarry, taking the road towards Kyle of Lochalsh through Glen Sheil for a visit to Eilean Donan Castle dating back to the 13th century. The castle has had a stormy history at one time taken over by Spanish troops fighting alongside the Jacobites. Make your way towards Achnasheen & Garve through some of the most scenic and rugged areas of Scotland and into Inverness for overnight stay.

Cawed Castle

From Inverness travel the short distance to visit Fort George one of Europe's finest examples of late artillery fortifications built to quell the Highlanders after the Jacobite rebellion. Travel the short distance to Cawed Castle, set in extensive gardens, a family home for over 600 years dating back to 1372. William Shakespear's Macbeth was the Thane of Cawdor and the castle is recognised as one of the traditional locations for the Murder of Duncan.

Castle Fraser

No visit to Scotland would be complete without a visit to a Whisky Distillery. With so many castles in this area the choice is difficult. Castle Fraser is on the A944 towards Aberdeen. Building started in 1575 and is of the same period as Crathes and Craigievar castles with Castle Fraser being recognised as the largest and grandest of the Castles of Mar. After this visit travel into Aberdeen, the City in Bloom Winner for several years, with so many parks and gardens to visit.

Dunnottar and Crathes Castle

From Aberdeen travel to the south side of Stonehaven to visit the ruined fortress of Dunnottar Castle sitting on a rocky cliff 49 metres above the sea. During the commonwealth wars the Scottish regalia was hidden here for safety. Cromwells troops occupied the castle in 1652, but the local minister's wife smuggled the treasure out and it was hidden for some time under the pulpit of her husbands church. From here travel north to join the A93 which takes you down through Royal Deeside. Here is Crathes Castle & Gardens with royal historic associations going back to 1323 when the lands were granted to the Burnett family by King Robert the Bruce. The walled garden is a composite of eight separate gardens for different times of the year. The great yew hedges in the grounds date back to 1702.

Glamis and Blair Castle

Glamis Castle is the birthplace of the late Queen Mother. Scone Palace the crowning place of the old Kings & Queens of Scotland, and Blair Castle family seat of the Murray family the Duke of Atholl.