6 Scottish castles you’ve never heard of

Scotland is home to many hidden gems that are just as enchanting as the big-name castles – Edinburgh, Stirling, Eilean Donan, Braemar, Glamis – that dominate every tour. Forget these picture postcard options and head for the less visited glens and lochs where you’ll find these beauties hiding in plain sight. They won’t be on every itinerary, but they might just be the ones that live longest in the memory.

2. Kilchurn Castle Loch Awe, Argyll

A romantic ruin on a small peninsula, only reachable by a short walk — think of it as a less crowded Eilean Donan. Kilchurn sits at the northeastern end of Loch Awe, with stunning reflections in the loch, especially at sunrise. It was built in the mid-15th century by the Campbells but fell out of use after the clan moved to Taymouth Castle, and was in ruins by 1770. It’s currently closed for restoration work, but you can still walk round the exterior – and get a very instagrammable shot from across the water. It’s now in the hands of Historic Scotland.

3. Huntingtower Castle Perth

Huntingtower Castle is principally famous because Mary Queen of Scots stayed here in 1565 during her honeymoon with Lord Darnley. It actually consists of two separate, unconnected towers that are only linked by a facade wall. The oldest parts date from the 14th century, when it was known as Place of Ruthven but after the Gowrie Conspiracy of 1600 – in which King IV James alleged that the Earl of Gowrie had tried to have him assassinated – the king had the earl executed and his family forfeited their estates. The house was given to the Murrays of Tullibardine and renamed Huntingtower. Open year round, it’s remarkably preserved, but the western tower is currently closed because of nesting birds. Historic Scotland

4. Castle Campbell Dollar, Clackmannanshire

Set at the head of Dollar Glen, this was once the lowland stronghold of the Campbell clan. A short, scenic walk up from the town of Dollar leads to a near-complete tower house, built in the 1400s, that sees a fraction of the visitors Stirling or Edinburgh get. As Historic Scotland says, ‘Castle Campbell and its setting are full of drama. The imposing ruin stands alone upon a narrow ridge, overlooked by a crescent of the Ochil Hills. Steep ravines fall away on either side of the castle, through which thunder the Burn of Care and the Burn of Sorrow.’ Don't miss the view south of the town from its suntrap gardens, and also ‘John Knox’s pulpit’, where the fiery founder of Presbyterianism gave a sermon in 1556. Open from April 1 to September 30. Historic Scotland

5. Craigmillar Castle Edinburgh

Just a few miles from the Royal Mile but almost empty of tourists, this is Edinburgh’s ‘Other Castle’. Its relatively undiscovered status is remarkable given it’s one of best preserved medieval castles in Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots (again) features in its history, having stayed there twice. On the second occasion, in 1566, several of her noblemen made a pact to murder her husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. It was named the ‘Craigmillar Bond’ after the castle, and was carried out when Darnley was murdered in the Old Town of Edinburgh in 1567. Open year round. Historic Scotland

6. Castle Fraser Near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

With an unusual Z-plan design and elaborate turrets, this is one of the grandest castles in Aberdeenshire yet still flies under the radar compared with nearby Balmoral or pastel pink Craigievar. Home to the Fraser lairds, it is one of the largest tower houses in Scotland and dates back to the 15th century. Highlights include its great hall and 64 artworks, but the 300 acre estate is as much of a draw as the castle, with an historic walled garden and parkland walks on which you can spot red squirrels, roe deer and buzzards. Open year round. National Trust for Scotland

Photo by Connor Mollison on Unsplash

1. Dunnottar Castle, main image Near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

OK, this is a bit of a cheat, because you probably recognise its picture without knowing its name. Dunnottar’s setting is dramatic – it’s perched on a 160ft-high North Sea headland, surrounded on three sides by sea – and so is its place in Scottish history: it’s welcomed William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots, and is also where the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) were hidden from Oliver Cromwell’s army in the 1650s. The castle dates from 1392, but was plundered and burned in the 17th century. It’s played a central part in the centuries-long conflicts between Scotland England, yet was saved by English aristocracy – Lord and Lady Cowdray – in 1919. The castle remains in the Cowdray family’s hands. Open year round. dunnottarcastle.co.uk

Photo by Connor Mollison on Unsplash

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