Scottish Castles & Gardens

Scotland is internationally renowned for its beautiful castles and here in the Highlands our landscape is brimming with ruins and inhabited castles with magnificent gardens, steeped in history and romance. 

Many of these beautiful Scottish castles can be found close to Dornoch. Speak to a member of our team for details if you wish to visit any. 

Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland

Located 10 miles north of Dornoch and just a 15 minute drive on the east coast of the Scottish Highlands, you will find Dunrobin Castle. The Castle is a stately home in Sutherland, and the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland. 

Perched on a high terrace above walled gardens, Dunrobin Castle, with fairytale spires and turrets, rises above the North Sea, whilst the Sutherland Monument atop Ben Bhraggie towers above the Castle and the nearby village of Golspie. Like an illustration from a storybook, Dunrobin is truly one of the best castles in Scotland. 

Castle and Gardens of Mey, Caithness

The Castle of Mey is located in Caithness, about six miles west of John o’ Groats on the north coast of Scotland. Having acquired the most northerly inhabited Scottish castle, The Queen Mother renovated and restored it and created the beautiful gardens you see today. For almost half a century she spent many happy summer's here and shorter visits at other times of the year. 

The Castle and Gardens of Mey have held Visit Scotland's highest award of a 5 Star quality assurance grading every year since their first unannounced visit in 2007. The gardens consist of the Walled Garden and the East Garden with a woodland area. In fine weather there are views across the sea to the Orkney Islands.

Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle is one of the most picturesque landmarks in Scotland, and an iconic sight for all those who have travelled between Fort William and Inverness. 

Perched on the bonnie banks of Loch Ness beside the village of Drumnadrochit, it commands great views up the length of the loch. Embark on a day trip to this loch and you will find yourself in one of the main sites for reported sightings of the legendary Loch Ness Monster.

Cawdor Castle, Inverness

Located in Cawdor village, Cawdor Castle dates from the late 14th century, having been built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. The ancient medieval tower built around the legendary holly tree still stands today and can be seen from every angle of the castle. 

Steeped in intrigue and history, the castle, which is home to the Cawdor family to this day, has evolved over 600 years and has been lovingly filled with beautiful furniture, fine portraits, intriguing objects and amazing tapestries. 

Inverewe Gardens, Poolewe

Journey to the beautiful west coast of Scotland to visit Inverewe Gardens, a magnificent 54 acre Highland garden that is surrounded by mountains, moorland and sea loch. 

Created by Osgood Mackenzie in the late 19th century, it now includes a wealth of exotic plants from Australian tree ferns to Chinese rhododendrons to South African bulbs. Recent plantings include a grove of Wollemi pines and other 'fossil' trees.

Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh

At the meeting point of three sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland, Eilean Donan is situated by the picturesque village of Dornie on the main tourist route to the Isle of Skye. 

Surrounded by majestic scenery, Eilean Donan is celebrated as one of the most beautiful Scottish castles. It is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands. 

Although first inhabited around the 6th century, the first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and stood guard over the lands of Kintail. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and rebuilt as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries.