Scotland's ancient castles. Scotland's most romantic castle

Scottish castles powerful and persistent. No fairy tales were written about them, but once inside, the image of knights in shining armor suddenly pops up, fighting for a brave cause for their clans and country. Scottish castles were built for defense, which is why they sit so formidably on top of cliffs or near the shores of lakes and oceans that they seem to make them impregnable. They look impressive, however, you will now see for yourself.

Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle sits on top of a cliff overlooking the northeast coast Scotland and causes universal admiration and delight. Now there are ruins on the site of the castle, but it has rich story associated with historical figures and even Charles II before the beginning of his reign. This castle is better known as a place where a small garrison held the line for 8 months against Cromwell's army, keeping the jewels from the royal treasury. If you are a lover of staying at home, there is nothing for you to do there. To get to the castle, you need to go through a difficult path, but it's worth it.

Duart Castle (Castle Duart) - the family estate of the McLain family

Castle Duart is located on the Isle of Mull and is made in the form of a powerful rectangular wall surrounding the courtyard. The castle passed into the possession of Scotland as a dowry in the 14th century. Over the centuries, it has already been reduced to ruins. For the last 400 years, the castle has been considered the ancestral home of the Maclain clan. The castle has been restored over the past two decades, but visitors can still walk into the dungeon. You can even appreciate the strategic position of the castle on the coast of the peninsula.

Urquhart Castle (Castle Urquhart) - one of the largest castles in Scotland

Urquhart Castle was once considered one of the largest castles in Scotland. But today, out of all medieval fortress only one tower survived. From here you will have a fabulous view of Loch Ness. The history of the castle is not entirely peaceful, as it was divided by England and. In 1692 it was blown up so that no one else could use it as a fortress. All his glory lies in the stories about the local monster that lives in the lake.

Balmoral Castle (Balmoral Castle) - a country residence for the British royal family

And Balmoral Castle began its history as a hunting lodge of Charles II in the 14th century. And although today the building looks like a castle, it is considered to be an estate. To many, he is known as Vacation home for the British royal family. Many rooms are available to those who wish, although some rooms are considered Her Majesty's personal numbers. Since 2014, the castle is only available for guided tours from April to June.

Inveraray Castle (Inveraray Castle) - inside you can find an excellent collection of weapons

Inverari Castle is a place that is definitely worth a visit. It is located on west coast Scotland. It took 43 years to build the castle. The castle walls will tell you stories about the Campbell clan, once the most powerful clan in Scotland. There are chic gardens on the territory of the castle, and inside you will see impressive collection weapons. This place is open for tours from April to October. The castle also houses a tea room that serves traditional Scottish tea and treats.

Stirling Castle (Sterling Castle) - it was crowned Queen of Scots, Mary

Stirling Castle was considered a cultural center in the 16th century, but it was also important historically and strategically as a hideout for many of the country's kings. The castle is huge and will give you the opportunity to see how the royal families lived. In that number you can visit Royal Palace and the chapel where Mary herself, Queen of Scots, was crowned in 1534. In the same castle, Robert Burns wrote many of his works.

Edinburgh Castle (Edinburgh Castle) - a national symbol of perseverance and courage

Edinburgh Castle is clear examples Scottish architecture. The castle is located on top of a cliff, extinct volcano. It is visible from everywhere for several miles. The Scots used this castle in all major battles. As a symbol of the resilience of the people and the struggle for independence, Edinburgh Castle is one of the main attractions of Scotland.

Culzean Castle (Kalzien Castle) - the most famous and popular in Scotland

Another Calthien Castle is the most popular attraction in Scotland. The castle originally belonged to the Kennedy clan, descended from the family of Robert the Bruce. And now it's a hotel. In the castle we will see chic furniture belonging to the upper classes of the 18th century. Also on display is one of the world's largest collections of swords and pistols. The castle is surrounded by a park of 600 acres.

Glamis Castle (Castle Glamis) - in his camps the childhood of Elizabeth II passed

Glamis Castle is closely associated with the royal family. Elizabeth II grew up here, like her mother, and Princess Margaret was born. Glamis was even once called Macbeth. IN old times King Malcolm was killed here. Today this castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. It rises among lush green trees and grasses. He is really impressive. You can enjoy a walk through the magical gardens, as well as look into the castle itself and see the ancient rooms and decorations.

Eilean Donan Castle - the most romantic castle in Scotland

And finally, Eilean Donan Castle. It has been in ruins for several hundred years. Now it is completely restored. Situated on a rocky island, it is connected to the mainland by a stone footbridge. The castle is named after a monk who was martyred here in 617. Due to its position in the highlands, Eilean Donan is one of the most romantic castles in Scotland. It also hosted the shooting of such films as "The Master of Ballantre", "Highlander", "And the whole world is not enough" and others.

On TOPWAR, perhaps, there has not yet been a story about such a romantic castle as this one. There were castles, mighty like rocks, vast - if you go around - you will knock your legs down, ancient, beautiful, as if from a fairy tale, but about this we will talk for the first time. But before talking about the castle, let's say where it is located. And it is located on the "Isle of Donan" - small island in Loch Dewey, located one kilometer from the village of Dorney in the Western Highlands. The island itself is part of the Kintail National Park, one of 40 such parks in Scotland. And on this island (or rather, an island) is one of the most famous castles in Scotland after Stirling - Eilean Donan Castle. One of the most photographed castles in this land of the Highlanders, it was destroyed during the Jacobite risings and was rebuilt in the 20th century to become an icon of Scotland of sorts. Now this castle is open to the public, so you can visit it without any problems ...

"Romantic Castle" Eileen Donan.

Eilean Donan takes its name from St. Donan, known as Donnan of the Eig, a Celtic priest who tried to preach Christianity among the wild Picts in the northwest of Scotland. It is clear that the Picts did not like this. Therefore, by order of the Queen of the Picts, on April 17, 617, they burned him at the stake, and with him another 150 fellow believers.

It is obvious that the Christian community, which gave it its name, was already settled on the island at that time. Be that as it may, but at the beginning of the XII century, Alexander II (ruled 1214 - 1249), the then king of Scotland, built a castle on it to protect against Viking attacks.

In 1266 it was given into the possession of Colin Fitzgerald as a reward for his victory over Haakon IV of Norway at a battle near Eilean Donan. His descendants took the typically Scottish family name MacKinsey and walled most of the island. Well, in 1511, another clan settled in the castle - the McRee clan, McKinsey's long-term allies and the life-long commandants of the castle, Eileen Donan. In fact, both of these families received at their disposal completely impregnable fortress, which could only be reached by boat, which was possible, however, not always. Robert the Bruce also honored him with his stay. In the winter of 1306-07. the owners of the castle gave him refuge in a difficult time for him, but, in fact, his owners managed to avoid participation in the wars for the independence of Scotland against the British.

However, Scotland has always been "very fun" - one clan went to another, which even led to the so-called "clan wars". One ended and another immediately began.

During this war, in 1539, the MacDonald clan from Sleat attacked the castle and besieged it for a long time. A certain Donald Gorm commanded the troops of the MacDonald clan, having learned that the castle garrison was small. In fact, there were only three people in it at all: the newly appointed constable Dubh Matheson, the warden and the son of the former constable MacGillechriod, who killed several McDonalds in the process. The attackers managed to kill Matheson and the warden, but the son of the constable hit Donald Gorm in the ankle with the last arrow. He, like a real Scotsman, did not pay attention to the wound and simply pulled the arrow out of the wound. But at the same time, the prong of the tip cut his artery, and he bled to death in the hands of his warriors. Those fell into despondency and ... retreated!

In April 1719, the castle was captured by Spanish soldiers who were trying to start another Jacobite uprising. Jacobites were called adherents of the expelled in 1688 " glorious revolution»of the English king James II and his descendants, and there were especially many of them just in the highlands of Scotland. The Jacobites were supported by Rome, France and Spain, the latter sending both money and soldiers to Scotland, because at the same time there was a war for the Spanish Succession. So the castle became the base of the resistance. However, from May 10 to May 13, 1719, three frigates of the Royal Navy attacked him at once. According to the entries in the ship's log, the British then captured: "... an Irish captain, a Spanish lieutenant, a sergeant, one Scottish rebel and 39 Spanish soldiers, as well as 343 kegs of gunpowder and 52 kegs of musket bullets ...".

Having captured the castle of Eilean Donan, the British set fire to several barns where grain for the soldiers was stored, and then, with the help of the captured gunpowder, they blew up the castle itself. A month later, the Spaniards were defeated at the Battle of Glen Shile, but only picturesque ruins remained of the Eilean Donan castle itself.

Centuries flew over them, until in the period from 1912 to 1932, Lieutenant Colonel John McRee-Gilstrop, the castle was restored according to the old plans preserved in Edinburgh. Moreover, it was not only a reconstruction, an arched arch was thrown onto the island. a stone bridge connecting it to the shore of the lake. In 1983, the MacRee family formed a special charitable foundation to continue the restoration of Eilean Donan Castle.

Note that from the moment of its creation, the castle gradually increased in size, so that its walls began to come close to the water. But at the end of the XIV century, its area decreased five times, as there were not enough people to defend it. Nevertheless, in the 16th century, a platform was added to its eastern side for newer and heavier cannons. The thickness of the walls of the castle reached 4 m, which is why in 1719 the frigates that fired at it could not destroy it, which is why they had to resort to undermining it from the inside.

So romantic trip to the castle of Eilean Donan is a whole "expedition", since the path to it lies through the bridge (and not one) thrown over the lake. First, after passing through the decorated gate, tourists get to the stone dam leading to the island. The bridge rests against a hexagonal building. Was once here main entrance in Eilean Donan, since the bridge, which was built only in the 20th century, did not exist in past centuries. The main building of the castle is a keep or "keep", as the Scots say, built on high point islands, probably in the 14th century. Its dimensions are impressive: 16.5 by 12.4 meters (54 by 41 feet), with walls three meters (9.8 feet) thick. The vaulted basement was originally divided into two parts, with a staircase against the north wall. Above it, there were probably two more floors, including an attic. The tower was with pediments, surrounded by a passage with small turrets located at its corners.

Was very unusual old entrance to the castle. For some reason, he was in a hexagonal tower with a door, but it was arranged in such a way that there was water inside. It is believed that this tower was erected in the 16th century as a bridgehead, and ... water tanks 5 m deep. Guards could easily control this path, as soon as they removed the wooden bridge thrown over the water.

The modern entrance to the castle is located in the south wall, and above its descending portcullis is an inscription in Gaelic: "As long as MacRee is inside, the Frasers will never be left outside." It was made at the time the MacRee came to Kintail, but before that they lived on the lands of the Fraser clan, on the south coast of Bailey Bay. Moreover, it is believed that the following inscription was made on the Fraser castle: “As long as at least one Fraser is alive inside, do not stand MacRee outside.”

Inexorable time and people have turned many parts of the castle into ruins, so when walking around the territory of the island, you can only see the foundations of the stone walls that once ran along almost its entire coastline. The castle itself is, in fact, the whole donjon. On the ground floor there is an exhibition of paintings and antiques, and there is also a lot of beautiful furniture and no less beautiful porcelain.

The second floor is reserved for an exhibition of flags, shields, family portraits and other trophies of the MacRee clan, and here you can also see a patch of hair of the rebellious Prince Carl Stewart, also known as “Handsome Prince Charlie”. The wood beams for the ceiling are a gift from the Canadian MacRees, made from first-class pine brought here in the treeless countryside from British Columbia. In one of the rooms on the second floor, there is also a sprawling genealogical tree of the MacRee clan.

You will have to climb the stone spiral staircase to the third floor. There are six bedrooms here named Loch Alsh, Loch Long, Eilean Donan, Ballimore, Loch Duich and Conchra. The wooden door of one of them is an exit to the castle wall. "1912" is carved on it - that is, the year the restoration of the castle began, as well as the names and years of life of some of its commandants.

Descending from the wall down, the tourists enter the kitchen. In it, as it has now become very popular, an exposition is arranged with wax figures of the butler, the cook and even the hostess of the house, Ella McRee-Gilstrap, while preparing for dinner around the epoch of the 30s of the XX century. Moreover, its entire interior is very accurately recreated, and even the food on the plates.

Near the entrance to the castle are two cannons from the First World War. Why, what's the connection? And the connection is direct - here is also the board of honor of the MacRee clan, which contains a list of those who died during the First World War. Including relatives of Canadians and Australians, there are about 500 names on this board. Well, this castle is also often filmed in films, but this is completely different.

medieval castles, fraught with centuries-old, sometimes sinister, but always exciting legends, are true pride not only Scotland, but, perhaps, the whole of Great Britain. They emerge from the fog, like watchtowers showing the way to wanderers ... Strict and severe, lost in the mountains or coastal, luxurious and fabulous - they have become an integral part of the history and architecture of the country. .


There are a great many castles in Scotland: about 3 thousand. We fought a lot in this country. They fought with the Vikings, later with the neighbors of the British, clans fought among themselves. And every self-respecting clan aspired to have its own home-fortress. Geography and natural features countries allowed to build almost impregnable castles: in the mountains, on lonely rocks in the middle of the plains, on the islands and peninsulas of numerous Scottish lakes

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Now many castles are in the hands of the state and turned into museums; some still belong to the clans, and, as a rule, some of the premises of such castles are also open to tourists (this is how the owners earn a living and keep the castles in good condition). There are castles that have been converted into luxury hotels. Some are abandoned, and gradually turn into ruins. In this article - review on the castles of Scotland, in the next - a selection of castles with surviving interiors …

For example, the Castle Lochleven. Here, in 1567, Mary Stuart signed her abdication. .

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Huntly Castle is one of the noblest baronial ruins in Scotland, and was formerly known as Strethbogie Castle and the headquarters of the "jolly Gordons". In the 16-17 centuries. its owners, the earls and marquesses of Huntly, were the most powerful magnates of Scotland and were the leaders of the Catholic side in the struggle against the Reformation. - constantly participated in the religious wars of that time and was constantly subjected to restructuring.

It was built by the Normans (11th century) and there are still preserved earthen embankments surrounding central courtyard. On the east side is the ravel of times civil war. The remains of the stone castle include the foundation of a powerful tower of the 15th century, destroyed in 1594. and an imposing building with a hall or a palace with a large round tower and a second, smaller one with a staircase. The heraldic ornamentation on this building is the most elaborate in Scotland and is a series of indentations and symbols of the Blois dynasty. The castle is located in a beautiful coniferous park on a rocky bank of the Reveron River, across which a wooden bridge is thrown.

Kildrummy Castle is "the largest noble of the northern castles" and the best preserved example Scottish castles and other secular buildings from the 13th century. wall with 4 round towers, a more or less preserved palace and a chapel with a three-leaf window, were practically not subjected to alterations. The large perverted building dates back to the Edwardian era of the 13th century. and later in the 15-16th centuries it was completed. A hinged tower (barbican) with a moat and a drawbridge is big interest. Kildrummy Castle was the seat of the Earls of Mar and played a prominent role in Scottish history from the 13th century War of Independence until the 18th century 'fifteenth' when it was destroyed.

Tolkukhon Castle is the seat of the Forbes family.
Its core is a powerful polygonal tower dating back to the beginning of the 15th century. To this, between 1584 and 1589, a large quadrangular building was added, now without a roof. But otherwise very well preserved. Tolquhon Castle perfectly illustrates the great leap in civil engineering during the reign of James VI (James VI). An important element is a perverse building with two round towers, an armory and bizarre sculptures. The castle is remarkable for its various figured cannon loopholes. There is also a large front yard with outbuildings and an extensive garden adorned with rows of beautiful trees.

Glenbuchat Castle is the ancient ancestral seat of the Gordon clan and occupies a commanding high ground in upper Dunside. Glenbuchat Castle was built in 1590 and is a fine example of a Z-shaped castle with a square tower at each of its diagonally opposite corners. Stepped turrets are supported not by ordinary ledges, but by sloping arches during french style. John Gordon, its last owner, played a leading role in the two Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745. He fled after the Battle of Culloden and died in exile.




Edinburgh castle is a fortress located on Castle Rock. The fortress has been used by various military forces since 900 BC. e. and only recently transferred from the control of the UK Ministry of Defense.

It seems like the place where the Scottish castle is located Dunnotar Castle, - not far from Aberdeen - the main fishing port of the northeast coast of Scotland, nature itself was created to build an impregnable fortress here. A rocky plateau with an area of ​​just over a hectare at a height of almost 50 meters is surrounded on all sides by the sea and is connected to the main part of the land only by a narrow path.


The word "dun" in the Pictish language means "fortification" and it is believed that St. Ninian came here in the late 400s, began a missionary activity to convert to Christianity and built a small chapel

There were only two ways to get into the castle: through the main entrance, well hidden in a break in the rock, or through a steep vicious path that led through the caves to the secret entrance to the castle. It is not surprising that for many centuries fortifications were erected on an impregnable rock. Well-groomed, maybe not at the highest level, but the place is impressive. By the way, it is very likely that the warriors of the evil Kennett McAlpin threw the guy who knew the secret of heather honey from the cliff, just after the capture of Dannotar. Not Galloway at all. Moreover, the Picts never lived in Galloway at all. The place for dropping is suitable - see for yourself. In this place, Mel Gibson filmed scenes of his film "Hamlet" for several months. .

The Annals of Ulster records a siege of a place called Dún Fother in 681, and probably Dannotar. Dunnottar is also the likely site of the battle between King Donald II and the Vikings in 900. and it is assumed that the raid of King Aethelstan (Aethelstan of Wessex) in 934 was aimed precisely at the destruction of local fortifications.

King Donald II the Mad (Domnall mac Causantín) was the first person to be called rí Alban, i.e. King of Alba, when he died at Dannotara in 900. All his predecessors called themselves either Kings of the Picts (or King of Fortriu). Some researchers believe that such innovations were the first sign of the birth of Scotland.

Braemar Castle. 1628.


Ayrshire Castle

The most famous, though not the oldest castle in Scotland is Balmoral, because it is he who is the residence of the English royal family. The castle was a gift to Queen Victoria from her loving husband in the middle of the 19th century. Even then, he received his status as a royal country residence, where the whole eminent family spends the summer with great pleasure.

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There, in a cozy garden house, Queen Victoria, having been widowed, wrote her famous memoirs (diaries). Surrounded by Balmoral Castle is extraordinary beautiful gardens, the highlight of which can be considered a unique "garden on the water." Nearby, there is still a garden house where Queen Victoria, already a widow, loved to have breakfast and write her famous diaries.

The forests surrounding the castle were left untouched during construction, which preserved most of the living creatures and provided the castle with the glory of the best hunting grounds in the country. In the River Dee flowing behind Balmoral, all English kings and princes traditionally fish. Due to the fact that salmon is perfectly caught here, distinguished foreign guests are usually invited to go fishing. Just remember to release all the fish caught at the end of the day. This is also part of the tradition, as is the obligatory wearing of Scottish costume by men during their stay in Balmoral.

During the rest of the year, when the royal family does not live in the castle, it is open to visitors. Right in the shade of light gray tall walls, there are restaurants and cafes where you can taste real English tea from Victorian-style painted porcelain cups. The impression that you have visited the queen's tea ceremony will be complete.

Balmoral Castle- Balmoral Castle inherited its name from another ancient fortress once located in the neighborhood. This large estate is privately owned and now belongs personally to Queen Elizabeth II, and not to the English crown.

Balmoral Castle was built by Sir William Drummond in 1390 on the site of the hunting lodge of Scottish King Robert II. Then the castle passed from one owner to another.
In the autumn of 1842, Queen Victoria visited Scotland for the first time. It was two and a half years after she married Prince Albert.
Victoria and Albert were fond of vacationing in Scotland, and Sir James Clark, the Queen's doctor, advised them of the Deeside area as a place with a good healthy climate. In 1852, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased the castle after the death of its owner after choking on a fish bone for 30,000 guineas at dinner. When visiting these places, Prince Albert, seeing the forests around the ruins of the old castle, remembered his homeland Thuringia and bought a piece of land on which the new Balmoral castle was built of granite. In 1855, construction was completed, and a loving husband presented it to Queen Victoria. Victoria fell in love with Balmoral at first sight. "It seemed that everything here breathed freedom and peace and made you forget about the vain world and its sorrows." The castle was small - so small that only the august couple felt comfortable in it, but their retinue, already small in number, had to live in cramped quarters. Even the minister, Lord Malmesbury, who was supposed to be with the queen to attend to state affairs, did not find an office, and he had to work in the bedroom, sitting on the bed.

In 1953, construction began on a new castle, between the old castle and the River Dee. For this, William Smith, the architect of the city of Aberdeen, was invited, but the author of the overall design was Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. . The foundation stone for the building was laid by Queen Victoria herself. This stone can now be seen at the foot of the wall at the entrance to the castle arch. The forests around the castle remained untouched during construction. This helped to keep many animals in the forests, and the castle gained fame as one of the best hunting grounds in Scotland.

By 1856, the castle had been erected from local white granite in the Old Scottish baronial style. A separate wing for the royal family, a separate one for the attendants, and a large seven-story tower connecting them; seventy rooms, one hundred and eighty windows. In the southwestern wing of the palace are the main residential and front rooms, in the northeast - mostly utility rooms. The rooms of the castle were large and bright, and huge windows made it possible to enjoy beautiful view. While the construction was underway, the royal family lived in the old castle, but after its completion, the old castle was destroyed. It was the favorite home of Queen Victoria, she made a real Scottish dwelling out of the castle. This is noticeable even in the fact that the carpets throughout the castle are woven from a special Balmoral tartan. And, as you know, the right to wear this fabric was given only to members of the monarchical family.

After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, British monarchs continued to come here and spend part of the summer or autumn here. This tradition has survived to this day, so only the Ballroom is open to the public in the castle, and the gardens are open only from April to the end of July, until the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II.

The castle has an armory, exquisitely decorated with collectible pistols, sabers, revolvers and other weapons. An oval-shaped staircase leads to a chic room, from the windows of which, from an almost 50-meter height, a stunning view of the sea opens. Delightful gardens are laid out around the castle, and the most beautiful of them is the unique "garden on the water" - the gardens were first opened to the public in 1931. Not far from the palace, even today, there is a small garden house in which Queen Victoria, already a widow, loved to have breakfast and write her famous diaries.

The forests surrounding the castle give it even more picturesqueness and beauty. Many forest lands remained untouched, providing hunting glory not only to the castle, but to the whole country as a whole. Not far from Balmoral Castle flows the River Dee, where the royals go fishing. Salmon is found here, especially for this peaceful occupation, distinguished foreign guests and members of other European courts are invited. At the end of the day, all the fish caught are released, a tribute to tradition.

Most likely, the last emperor of Russia, Nicholas II, even once fished here. He stayed at the castle in 1896 with his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, who was the favorite granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England.

There are a lot of unusual things going on in Balmoral Castle that ordinary person may seem strange. So in the morning the function of an alarm clock in the castle is performed by the legendary Scottish bagpipe. In the mornings, a piper appears daily under the windows of the queen's room, who entertains the queen for about half an hour. Men who are in the castle must wear national Scottish costumes - this is another tradition from the time of Queen Victoria.

Near the castle is the parish church of Krati, which the royal family visits every Sunday morning during their stay at the Balmoral residence.

Church of Krati.

Since 2003, the forests of Balmoral have been part of the Cairngorms National Park.

Usually, if the royal family does not have any important business, they come to Balmoral in August or September. The castle is something like a royal dacha with a house, a river, meadows and a forest nearby.

Drum and Grathes Castles, dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries respectively, are located on the same River Dee, only a little downstream, and are only five miles apart. The land on which they are built was presented to their first owners - Alexander Burnett and William de Irvine - by King Robert the Bruce in 1323 for loyalty to the throne and other merits. Local jokers claimed that both nobles were given one land for two, but instead of starting a war with each other, according to the customs of that time, a wise decision was made to divide the land in half. The walls of Drum Castle are 12 feet thick, and there is even a secret tower in which, according to legend, in case of danger, the owners hid or forcibly hid someone else. Times were dark...


Invereray Castle, built in the 17th century, it is considered a relatively young castle and, although it is an example of the style of Scottish barons, it is full of secrets and love tragedies. One of the legends of the castle eloquently tells how the beloved harpist of the owner of the castle, the Duke of Argyll, died, as well as how her restless soul is looking for shelter, wandering in the stone walls. Also, ancient legends say that miracles happen not only in the castle itself, but also in the sky above it, where people once saw pictures of the battle of the French and the Highland warriors, foreshadowing the death of the Scots themselves.

Inverary.

Inverary. The castle of the 18th century, belonging to the Campbell clan to this day, was built in the image and likeness of the French chateau. The architecture is not typical for Scotland. A generic medieval castle The Campbells have been abandoned and are now in ruins. It's a pity…By the way, the attitude towards the Campbells in Scotland is very ambiguous, and neglect of the family “nest” is only one of the reasons.

DRAMMOND

Above in the photo is Dune Castle, which is not far from Sterling on the way to Lake Tay, see post.

Dawn / Dune (Doune). The 14th century castle was built for a long time as a hunting residence of Scottish kings. Already today, the castle has become famous thanks to the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". Initially, the film was planned to shoot in several castles. However, just a couple of weeks before the scheduled start of filming state organization, managing Scottish castles, terminated the agreement with the filmmakers. Only Dawn, who was privately owned, remained at the disposal of the film crew. As a result, it was decided to shoot here most of the film, and Dawn acted as several castles at once. The operators had to try, removing the lock only close-ups, from different angles, giving the illusion that different castles are involved in the film. Now Dawn is a cult destination for fans of the film (of which there are a lot in the UK). Every year there are fan gatherings near the castle, similar to our Tolkienist gatherings, with obligatory role-playing games. .

Urquhart. The ruins of a 13th century castle on the shores of Loch Ness, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Scotland. The castle was destroyed in the 17th century during the Jacobite uprisings and has not been rebuilt since. According to an old legend, it was in these parts that the notorious Saint Colomba lived in the early Middle Ages, who was the first to dream of the notorious lake monster.

Eilean Donan. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful castles not only in Scotland, but throughout Europe. The castle was built in the 13th century to protect against the Vikings by the Mackenzie clan (MacKenzie), but later came into the possession of the Macrae clan (MacRae). They own the castle and today, moreover, they live in it, but part of the castle is open to tourists

The castle was built so soundly, and located so well, that they could capture it only once, and then by cunning. It also happened during the Jacobite uprisings. Even powerful artillery could not destroy the castle. It was blown up from the inside, all overlaid with barrels of gunpowder. For several centuries, the castle lay in ruins, but at the beginning of the 20th century, one of the Macraes married very successfully, and restored the castle with his wife’s money, exactly following the medieval drawings. (See the post about the interiors of this castle)

Here they filmed a number of scenes of "Highlander" and one of the parts of the Bond film "And the whole world is not enough."

dunveigan. Castle on the Isle of Skye. The oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, throughout its history belonged (and belongs to this day) to one family - the Macleod clan (MacLeod).

You can take a good picture of the castle only from the opposite shore of the lake.

Not to be confused with Helen Donan - castle.

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Kerlaverock Castle has a triangular shape. The only one in the UK and one of the very few in Europe and the world. Moreover, if the triangle is divided in half, both of its parts were initially completely identical.

Now, however, one of the towers is completely destroyed, and additional buildings have been erected in the courtyard that violate the symmetry

The unknown architect who designed Kerlaverok managed to achieve the heights of expediency and elegance with a relative simplicity of design. If some other castles could have representative functions or serve primarily as housing, while providing a certain level of defense, then Caerlaverock is a fortification and once again a fortification, and all other functions are third-rate.

Kerlaverock - Maxwell's castle. The ancestor of the clan is Maccus, the son of Andwein, who lived in the 12th century in the Kelso region, not far from Roxburgh. It's far enough away from the Dumfri area where Caerlaverock, Kelso is almost on the east coast.

So, this Maccus was not a poor man, he owned solid pieces of land and several villages.

By nationality, he was Saxon or English, his ancestors either lived here from the time when this territory belonged to Northumbria, or emigrated not so long ago due to dominance in England new nobility- Normans. Maccus received the nickname Maxwell, which eventually turned into a glorious surname. By the way, the settlements of Maxton and Maxwellog are still preserved in those parts.

To be continued ---->

There are many medieval castles scattered across Europe, which many centuries ago were intended to house and protect the families of feudal lords. Today, castles are silent witnesses of royal dramas, the fall of great houses and historical events.

Now tourists visit ancient fortresses in winter and summer to see their splendor with their own eyes. We have collected in this list incredibly beautiful castles that are worth a visit!

1 Tintagel Castle, England

Tintagel is a medieval fort on the cape of the island of the same name. The castle borders the village of Tintagel in Cornwall. It was built by Richard the Plantagenet in 1233. However, Tintagel is often associated with another famous character - King Arthur. Here he was conceived, born and taken away by the wizard Merlin in infancy.

Since the 19th century, the castle has been a tourist attraction and is under the ownership of Prince Charles. Managed by English Heritage, a British government commission for historical buildings.

2 Corvin Castle, Romania

This Gothic-style castle with Renaissance elements is located in Transylvania, a Romanian town called Hunedoara, on a cliff near the Zlashte River. The castle was built in the middle of the 15th century by the father of the Hungarian king Matthew Corvinus and was inherited until 1508.

Since then, Korvinov has changed 22 owners, and has been opened to the public as a museum. The castle to this day is one of the wonders of Romania, by the way, according to rumors, Vlad Tepes himself, known as Count Dracula, spent seven years in prison here.

3 Alcazar de Segovia, Spain

This fortress of the Spanish kings is today an object world heritage UNESCO. The castle is located on an incredibly beautiful location - a rock at the confluence of two rivers. Due to its location, it is one of the most recognizable castles in Spain.

In 1120, the Alcazar was used as an Arab fortress. Then there was a royal residence, an artillery academy and even a prison. It currently houses a military archive and museum.

4 Eltz Castle, Germany

Eltz Castle is considered one of two medieval buildings in the Eifel that were never destroyed or captured. The castle has withstood all wars and upheavals since its construction in the 12th century.

It is surprising that the castle has been owned by the same family for 33 generations - Eltz, whose descendant to this day takes care of it, keeping it in its original form. The owner opened it to tourists, who are especially attracted by the Eltz treasury with jewelry exhibits and other works of art. different centuries.

5 Windsor Castle, England

This castle has been closely associated with the monarchs of Great Britain for more than 900 years and is their symbol. The current ruling royal dynasty of Windsor is named after him. The castle was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror and has been used as a royal residence since the reign of Henry I. Over the centuries, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and supplemented in accordance with the requests of the ruling monarchs.

Interestingly, during the Second World War, the castle served as a refuge for the royal family. Today, the castle is used for state receptions, visits by tourists, as well as the rest of Queen Elizabeth II in the spring of each year.

6 Himeji Castle, Japan

This castle near the city of Himeji is one of the oldest in Japan. Its construction as a fortress began in 1333, and in 1346 the fort was reconstructed into a castle. For a long time, he wandered from one samurai clan to another, and only in the 1600s found a master. Then the main part of the 83 wooden buildings of the castle was built.

Movies are often filmed on the territory of Himeji, as the castle is well preserved in its original form. In addition, the building belongs to the National Treasures of Japan and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

7 Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

This ancient castle is located on Castle Rock in the center of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. About 300 odd million years ago there was active volcano! The first mention of this building dates back to 1139, when church ministers also gathered in the royal castle. This continued until 1633, but since then the castle has been considered the heart of Scotland.

It is worth noting that this fortress survived 26 sieges, which made it the most attacked on Earth. Over the past 150 years, Edinburgh Castle has been frequently restored, and now it is the main tourist attraction in Edinburgh.

8 Hever Castle, England

The castle was built in the XIII century in the south-east of England in Kent, as an ordinary country house. It became famous due to the fact that the Boleyn family lived here from 1462 to 1539. In 1505, it was inherited by Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne, wife of King Henry VIII, whose marriage caused the rupture of England and Rome. True, after the king got bored with his new wife, he executed her in the Tower.

Since then, Khiver has passed from one owner to another, but has retained the unique Tudor interiors. The castle is now used as a conference venue, but is also open to the public.

9 Boinice Castle, Slovakia

It is considered one of the most romantic castles in Europe. Its first mention dates back to 1113 - an ordinary wooden castle in Bojnice, which was gradually strengthened. Officially, the fortress was handed over to the ruler of Slovakia, Matus Czak, by King Wenceslas III of Hungary in 1302.

Since then, each new owner has reconstructed the castle, and as a result, it turned out to be the most visited place in Slovakia. Many fantastic and fabulous films were filmed here. The castle is also located Slovak folk museum.

10 Bran Castle, Romania

Bran Fortress is a national landmark of Romania. Initially, it was a wooden structure, which was founded in 1212 by the knights of the Teutonic Order, and later completed by local residents at their own expense. In those days, the building served as a defensive fortress.

Bran has gone through many owners but is most often referred to as "Dracula's castle". According to legend, Prince Vlad Chepes, nicknamed Count Dracula, often stopped here and hunted near the castle. In the 20th century, the castle was donated by the locals to Queen Maria of Romania, whose grandson currently owns it. Now the castle houses a museum of furniture and art from the collection of Queen Mary.

11 Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

This beautiful castle, which is recognized as one of the most romantic in Scotland, is located on Donan Island - at the meeting point of three lakes. In the 7th century, a hermit monk lived on the island, after whom the castle was named. In the XIII century, the first fortress was built, and Eilean Donan itself was transferred by the king to the ancestor of the Scottish Mackenzie clan.

The building was destroyed in 1719, and only at the beginning of the 20th century the MacRae clan acquired the castle and began its restoration. By the way, this fortress can be seen in the TV series Outlander.

12 Bodiam Castle, England

The land on which the castle is now located was inherited by Edward Dalingridge after his marriage. In 1385, during the 100 Years' War, he fortified the estate to protect the area from the French. For several decades, the castle was passed down from generation to generation. When the family died at the end of the 15th century, the castle came into the possession of the Leuknor family.

Later, Bodiam had several owners, each of whom contributed to its restoration, for example, after a siege during the Wars of the Roses. In 1925, after the death of the then owner, the castle was donated to a national foundation, which maintains it to this day. Now this fortress near the village of Robertsbridge can be visited by anyone.

13 Hohensalzburg Castle, Austria

This building is considered one of the largest of all surviving medieval castles in Europe and is located at an altitude of 120 meters on top of Mount Festung near the Austrian city of Salzburg. The castle was built in 1077 under the leadership of the archbishop of Salzburg, but now only the foundation remains of that building.

Hohensalzburg was fortified, rebuilt and reconstructed many times. Only in the 16th century did it acquire the form it has today. The fortress was used as a warehouse, barracks, fort and even a prison during the First World War. Now this castle is a favorite tourist attraction, where you can climb the funicular or walk.

14 Arundell Castle, England

This castle was founded on Christmas Day 1067 by Roger de Montgomery (Earl of Arundel), one of the subjects of William the Conqueror. Later, it became the main residence of the Dukes of Norfolk from the Howard family, who have owned it for over 400 years.

The castle was rebuilt after being damaged during the English Civil War in the 17th century, and also updated with the return of fashion for medieval interiors. Although Arundel is a private property, most of the castle is open to tourists.

15 Mont Saint Michel, France

This castle is not in vain called the architectural wonder of France. It is a rocky island in northwestern France that was turned into a fortress island in the 8th century. Monks lived here for a long time, and even an abbey was built.

During the 100 Years War, the British unsuccessfully tried to conquer this island, and during the French Revolution, when there were no monks on the island, a prison was built here. It was closed in 1863, and in 1874 the island was declared a historical monument. About 3 million tourists visit here every year, while there are only a few dozen local residents!

These amazing historical monuments have come down to posterity almost in their original form. They store centuries of history different peoples, which is not always possible to read on the pages of textbooks.

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The castles of Scotland are strong and severe. They do not look fabulous, but here visitors can imagine knights in shining armor who fought for their clans and their country. Scottish castles were built mainly for defense, so they are often located on rocks near lakes and the ocean. They seem completely unapproachable. Today, these stone structures evoke a sense of grace and peace.

Dunnottar Castle sits atop a cliff overlooking the northeast coast of Scotland. Now this medieval fortress is in ruins, but it has a rich history. She is associated with such famous Scottish figures as William Wallace, Queen Mary of Scotland and Charles II, who visited there before becoming king. The castle is famous for its small garrison withstood Cromwell's army for eight months, saving the jewels of the Scottish crown. Not everyone wants to visit it, because you can get there only by climbing a staircase with many steps.

Duart Castle is located on the Isle of Mull. At first it was a rectangular stone wall surrounding the courtyard. Back in the middle of the XIV century, the castle passed into the possession of the Scottish ruler as part of the dowry of his bride. It has been destroyed over the centuries. For the past 400 years, the castle has been considered the family estate of the MacLean clan. Today, visitors can see the stone outpost perched on a hill overlooking Lake Mull. The McLeans have been restoring it for the past two decades, but it's still possible to visit the dungeons and admire the surroundings.

Urquhart Castle was once considered one of the largest in Scotland, but today only the remains of the tower of this medieval fortress can be seen. From here open great views to Loch Ness. The history of the castle is not much different from the history of other castles. It was divided between England and Scotland, as well as various clans. The outpost was blown up in 1692 so that it could not be used as a military stronghold. Today, medieval artifacts are kept here. In addition, many argue that it was from here that the Loch Ness monster was observed.

In the 14th century, there was a hunting lodge of King Robert II. Over the years, royal followers built it. Although the current building looks like a castle, it is considered a manor in the style of the Scottish barons. Today it is known as the holiday home of the British Royal Family. Many grounds and suites are open to the public, but some areas are considered the Queen's private rooms.

In the 16th century, Stirling Castle was considered the center of the arts in Scotland. In addition, it was a historically and strategically important place for many kings of the country. The castle is huge. Here you can see how the royal families lived. The visitors are presented with the crown, which Mary Stuart was crowned in 1534. The castle is also known for the fact that Robert Burns wrote many of his poems in it.

Edinburgh Castle is a great example of Scottish architecture and ideology. He had great political and military value. Located on top of a dormant volcano. It can be seen at a distance of several kilometers from any direction. The Scottish king used the castle for all of his major battles. Edinburgh Castle is one of the main attractions of Scotland, a symbol of its struggle for independence.

Cullin Castle is one of the most popular attractions in Scotland. It originally belonged to the Kennedy clan, whose members are descendants of King Robert I the Bruce. A stunning castle was built at the end of the 18th century. After World War II, the top floor of the castle was given to General Dwight Eisenhower as a token of appreciation for US support during the war. These rooms are now a hotel. In the castle you can see antique furniture XVIII century and one of the largest collections of swords and pistols. The outpost is surrounded by a magnificent park.

Glamis Castle is associated with royalty. Queen Elizabeth II, her mother and grandmother, as well as Princess Margaret were born here. The castle, located in a prehistoric village, was once a favorite of Shakespeare. Today, surrounded by trees, it is considered one of the most beautiful in Scotland. For more than 600 years it was the home of the Earls of Strathmore. Visitors can take a tour of the castle's historic rooms and gardens.

Eilean Donan Castle was built on a site that had been inhabited since the 6th century. The first fortified castle stood for almost 700 years. At the beginning of 1719, it was partially destroyed during the uprising, and stood in ruins for a couple of hundred years. Now the castle is completely restored. It is located on an island, and is connected to the mainland by a stone footbridge. The castle got its name in honor of the Celtic saint who was martyred here in 617. It is rightfully considered one of the most romantic castles in the country.