As far as Scottish castles go, they don’t come more romantic than Eilean Donan Castle. Perched in a stunning location at the head of no less than three sea lochs, the Castle features as one of the most photographed spots in the country. Its iconic status ranks alongside bagpipes, tartan and the Loch Ness Monster as symbols of Scotland. 

In the first of our guides about great Scottish castles we visit perhaps the grandest of them all: Stirling Castle.

Along with tartan, bagpipes and thistles, castles represent one of the most iconic symbols of Scotland. The Scottish landscape is dotted with castles at almost every turn. In fact there are more than 1,500 castles in Scotland with their architecture and styles reflecting the country’s history. Many lie in ruins while many others continue to be used as homes or as castle stays in Scotland.

Who doesn’t love a named connection, a celebrity tie-in, a famous face to associate with? Admittedly not everyone, but castles with royal connections are certainly high on the hit list for those looking to stay in a castle.