THE CASTLES OF SCOTLAND

Scotland has the rare advantage of possessing a plethora of castles, which testify to the days when wars raged with the English. Each has its own distinctive character and style; some, like unique Caerlaverock and imposing Urquhart, are in ruins; others, such as Blair and Inveraray, are still home to clan chiefs; many, like Drumlanrig and Culzean, are packed with priceless works of art. Crathes is not alone in having a remarkable garden, and Drumlanrig, Brodick and Culzean are among those with excellent visitor centres, country parks and woodland walks.
Scottish castles are not just piles of rock; many have ghostly legends, and all are rich in history.

Balmoral Castle is set in a beautiful forested area of Deeside which Queen Victoria called 'My dear paradise' in her 'Journal Of My Life in the Highlands'. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert rented the original castle in 1848 and bought the estate four years later, when they rebuilt the castle. The grounds, gardens, an exhibition of works of art and paintings in the castle ballroom and a carriage exhibition are open to the public, between the dates shown above, each year.
Facilities include a refreshment room, country walks, pony trekking, pony cart rides-when ponies are available-and gift shops. Parking is available in the Grampian Regional Council Car Park; enquiries should be made at the main gate for facilities for the disabled.
From the public access, donations are made to various charities.

This white turreted baronial castle described by Queen Victoria as 'a large, white painted building' is the home of the Duke of Atholl, chief of the Clan Murray, who is the only British subject allowed to maintain a private army- the Atholl Highlanders. The oldest part of the castle, Cummings Tower, dates back to 1269. The castle has played host to Mary, Queen of Scots, Prince Charles Edward Stuart and Victoria. It has a splendid collection of furniture, portraits, armour and china. There are Jacobite relics and Masonic regalia; an arboretum established by the second Duke in the 1740s.
Facilities include a deer park, nature trails, caravan park, pony trekking, picnic area, licensed restaurant and shop. There is partial wheelchair access, and a toilet for disabled people.

The ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, Brodick Castle stands in the Islands capital with a Wagnerian backdrop of bens and woodlands. It dates in part from the 13th century, but there were extensions built in 1652 and in 1844. The castle has a fine collection of Victorian sporting trophies and paintings, which are said to be Scotland's finest, and paintings from the collections of the Dukes of Hamilton, William Beckford and the Earls of Rochford. The woodland garden, begun in 1923, is considered Europe's finest for rhododendrons, and the formal garden dating from 1710 has developed a rose garden.
Facilities include a visitor centre, a ranger service, nature trail for wheelchair users, tea-room, shop, woodland walks and an adventure playground.

One of the finest castles in Scotland, Caerlaverock was the stronghold of the Wardens of the Western Marches, and the seat of the Maxwell family. It dates back to 1270 and is of a triangular layout unique in Britain. Moated Caerlaverock has a chequered history: in 1297 Wallace rested here before routing the English; in 1300 it was besieged and captured by Edward I. The Covenanters laid siege in 1640 and Cormwell took it in 1651. It was occupied by Henry VIII and James V stayed in the castle before his defeat at he battle of Solway Moss in 1542. It fell into disrepair in the 1660s. Caerlaverock's most notable features are a twin-towered gatehouse and the Nithsdale lodging, a splendid renaissance range dating form 1638.
No visitor centre, refreshments or ranger service. Wheelchair access difficult.

CAWDOR CASTLE

Cawdor Castle is famous as one of the settings for Shakespeare's Macbeth, and Duncan is said to have been murdered here. The castle is equally noted for the thorn tree, which is dated 1372 and stands in what used to be the dungeon.
Tradition has it that one of the Cawdor Thanes had a dream, in which he was told to load a donkey with gold and make it wander at random. He would have to build his castle on the spot where the animal came to rest. It settled beside the thorn tree, and the master built around it. The oldest part of the castle is the 14th century central tower, fortified in 1454 and surrounded by 16th century annexes. The gardens are beautiful with extensive nature trails, a nine-hole pitch and putt course and a putting green. There is a licensed restaurant, a snack bar and picnic area, together with partial wheelchair access to the castle, and toilets.

CRATHES CASTLE AND GARDEN

Crathes, allegedly haunted by the Green Lady, was the home of the Burnetts for over 350 years and is one of the best preserved 16th century castles in the country. It sits on a south-facing slope in pleasantly wooded countryside. It was built as a tower-house starting in 1553 and around 1599 the ceilings of the Chamber of the nine Nobles, the chamber of the nine Muses and the Green Lady's Room were painted. The Queen Anne and Victorian wings were destroyed by fire in 1966 and the only former was partially rebuilt. A four-acre wall garden includes a vast range of plants and shrubs, a croquet lawn and yew hedges (with topiary) which were planted in 1702. The 595-acre estate is rich with wildlife and has nature trails.
Facilities include a visitor centre with exhibitions, shop, licensed restaurant, plant sales centre, partial wheelchair access to castle, plus toilets for disabled people.

Cliff top Culzean, the former seat of the Earls of Cassilis, is the Trust's flagship and is one of Robert Adam's most remarkable commissions. It has been described as 'a supremely important landmark in the history of Scotland'.
The castle's notable features include a magnificent oval staircase and round drawing room. The Eisenhower Room traces the general's career and association with Culzean. The castle's 565 acres of grounds, which became the first country park in Scotland, afford superb views across the Firth of Clyde to Arran and Ailsa Craig. The grounds have some fifty stone buildings, many of which are of international importance. There is also a gazebo, a pagoda, a dolphin tower, and a ruined viaduct. There is a ranger service and guided walks. Other facilities include an adventure playground, talks and films with an induction loop, toilets for handicapped and disabled people and a restaurant.

DRUMLANRIG CASTLE

Drumlanrig, the 'pink palace', is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch-a unique example of late 17th century Renaissance architecture in sandstone, built in the site of an ancient stronghold of the Douglases. The castle houses an internationally famous collection of art treasures, which includes works by Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Holbein-and a Madonna thought to be the only one by Leonardo da Vinci in a private collection. The drawing room has a cabinet presented by Louis XVI to Charles II, and the front has a tapestry believed to be the work of Mary, Queen of Scots.
There is a ranger service, restaurant, visitor centre, wheelchair access, adventure woodland, crafts centre.

Glamis, the childhood home of the Queen Mother, has the grisly reputation of being Scotland's most haunted castle. The Grey Lady is reputed to haunt the chapel, the devil himself is said to play cards in the sealed chamber of the crypt, and a little black page boy has seemingly been seen outside the Queen Mother's sitting room. Tradition has it that Malcolm II was murdered on the site of the original castle in 1034, but the oldest surviving part is Duncan's Hall, the legendary setting of Shakespeare's Macbeth. The castle, from which the Grampian Mountains are visible, is set in a magnificent parkland with an avenue of trees dating back to 1820. A two-acre Italian garden, enclosed by Yew hedges, boasts an enormous 17th century sundial with 84 dials, and statues to Charles I and James I. There is a substantial collection of china, paintings, tapestry and furniture.
Facilities include a self-service restaurant, gift shop, gallery, and garden produce stall. Limited wheelchair access.

Inveraray castle has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of the Clan Campbell, for centuries. It is a fairy-tale sort of castle: a pseudo French chateau with gardens overlooking Loch Fyne and the Cowal Hills. The castle has many interesting historical relics including the nightcap worn by the Marquis of Argyll on the scaffold, muskets used at Culloden, German silver gilt galleons on wheels, a set of Beauvais tapestries and portrait of Lady Charlotte Campbell as Aurora, goddess of the dawn. There are portraits by Gainsborough, Ramsey and Raeburn. A bronze cannon outside the entrance is said to have come from a Spanish Armada boat which was sunk in Tobermory Bay in 1588. The entrance itself was made in wrought iron and glass in order to protect Queen Victoria from the rain during her first visit. There is a tea room, a crafts shop, partial wheelchair access and a toilet for disabled people.

Barring Edinburgh, Stirling Castle in Scotland's most prestigious fortress. Perched on a long extinct volcano at 250 feet, it commands a strategic position in the Firth of Forth. Both Robert the Bruce and William Wallace fought the English for the castle. Wallace recaptured it in 1297 while Bruce won it in 1314. The castle became a royal residence, and James II of Scotland was born here in 1430. It was the childhood home of James IV, who built the old towers and the great hall. James V built the palace in sumptuous Renaissance style from France. He also built mischievous facades on the palace which were condemned by the Victorian architect Robert Billings as 'abominations and obscene groups betraying the fruits of an imagination luxuriant but revolting'. Mary, Queen of Scots and James VI also lived here. Notable features include the chapel royal of 1594, James V's palace and the 16th century hall. There is a visitor centre with audiovisual display, a shop and tea room.

Urquhart Castle, though now in glorious ruins on the western shore of the alleged monster's loch, was once Scotland's largest castles. It was blown up in 1692 to prevent Jacobites taking possession. James IV gifted the castle, which stood on the site of a vitrified fort, to John Grant of Freughie in 1509, and Grant's family renovated it. The 16th century tower is the best-preserved part of the castle, and there have been many sightings of the legendary Loch Ness monster from here.