Scottish Castles – Top 10 Most Dramatic

Location: Loch Moidart | Age:13th century | Clan: MacDonald

A group of kayakers prepare to get back on the water with Castle Tioram sitting prominently in the background.

Sitting on a small tidal island in Loch Moidart, you’ve got to admit that it’s set in one of Scotland’s most spectacular vistas. The Castle ruins can only be accessed on foot during low tide or via the water by canoeing or sea kayaking up to it. Castle Tioram once boasted an incredibly strategic position, controlling access to Loch Shiel. Castle Tioram is in a complete state of ruin and entry to the castle is strictly forbidden.

We’ll paddle past Castle Tioram on our Jacobite Coast and Sound of Arisaig sea kayaking trips.

Location: Kintail | Age: 13th century | Clan: Mackenzie

By far one of the most photogenic Scottish castles, Eilean Donan Castle has gradually become one of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks. Like Castle Tioram, Eilean Donan was built on a tidal island. It sits between where Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh meet. The castle was lovingly rebuilt and restored in the 20th century, which included the construction of the now so familiar bridge. The castle has been open to the public since 1955 and comes equipped with an ample carpark and visitor centre. TIP: Wait till dusk to get that stunner of a shot as the floodlights go on.

• We visit Eilean Donan Castle on our West Coast Explorer and The Gaelic Coast sea kayaking trips.
• We also stop by en-route to our walking trip to the Outer Hebrides and Skye, and ride past it on our Mountain Passes mountain biking trip.
• The castle will also be a great photo opportunity on our easy-graded road cycling holiday to Skye and the Inner Hebrides.

Location: Loch Ness | Age: 13th century | Clan: Urquhart

Location: Arran | Age: 13th century | Clan: Stewart

This 16th-century tower house can be found sitting on the shores of Loch Ranza on the Isle of Arran. On first sight, this lonely ruin looks like any other tower house found in Scotland. It’s actually an old hall house which was converted into a tower house. Lochranza Castle is a good spot for a picnic if you ever visit Arran, it’s got beautiful views of the village and out to the Sound of Argyll.

Ride up to Lochranza castle on our Island Explorer road cycling holiday.

Location: Isle of Mull | Age: 13th century | Clan: Maclean

The MacLean clan feature in a variety of bloody stories from the area, giving Game of Thrones characters a run for their money! Deadly weddings, torturing family members, kidnapping and various murder attempts, just to name some of the rumoured misdeeds.

Tours are restricted to certain sections of the castle as the rest is still kept as a family home. The castle is impressive from pretty much all angles, however, several ferries pass the castle which makes for good photo opportunities such as the one pictured above.

Location: Assynt | Age: 16th century | Clan: MacLeod

The original castle is said to be built by Clan MacLeod of Assynt in the late 1590s, but control of the lands was lost to Clan MacKenzie in the 1670s. Ardvreck’s most notable moment in history was in 1650 when the Marquis of Montrose came seeking shelter at the castle after the battle.

It’s said that the Marquis was tricked into the castle with the promise of sanctuary. Instead, he was betrayed, taken as a prisoner and handed over to the Covenanters to be hung, drawn and quartered as a traitor in Edinburgh. This lack of Highland hospitality is what was said to mark the oncoming decline of the MacLeods of Assynt.

• If you are driving the North Coast 500 with us, Ardvreck castle comes as a highly recommended stop.
• We also hike to the ruins of Ardvreck during our ascent of Stac Pollaidh on our walking trips to the Wilds of Assynt.