9 Best Castles To Visit In Scotland For Families
Discover which Scottish Castles Are Worth Visiting With Kids
Scattered throughout the highlands to the lowlands, there are over a thousand castles to visit in Scotland, each with its unique tale.
Scottish castles are perfect for families seeking adventure and enchantment, but are they all worth visiting with kids?
From towering fortresses to romantic ruins, Scotland has many beautiful castles to visit. We have yet to visit them all, but having lived and travelled extensively in Scotland over the decades, we have seen more than a few!
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Top Castles To Visit In Scotland
Our Family Favourite – Stirling Castle
Most Picturesque – Eilean Donan Castle
Most Visited – Edinburgh Castle
Best Castles To Visit In Scotland
There are over 1,500 castles in Scotland, from royal homes and military establishments to barely recognisable ruins. Each has its own story and is worthy of a place on a Scotland bucket list tour. Whichever you visit, there will be plenty of Scottish history to enjoy!
You can even sleep like the kings and queens of old by booking a stay in some Scottish castles.
If you have time, all of Scotland’s castles are worth visiting, even the smallest, Hermit Castle in Achmelvich. Here are our top recommendations for family-friendly castles to add to your Scotland itinerary with kids.
Edinburgh Castle | Lothian
Edinburgh Castle is in the heart of Scotland’s capital city. The Castle sits atop an extinct volcanic rock offering panoramic views.
This iconic castle is Scotland’s most famous landmark and the country’s most visited castle; we have enjoyed a few family visits!
Exploring its ancient dungeons, royal chambers, and the vault where the crown jewels are located will keep you and your family engaged for hours. Don’t miss the daily firing of the One O’clock Gun (not on Sundays) – a tradition dating back to 1861 that never fails to ignite joy in children.
Festivals such as the Edinburgh tattoo and the capital’s Hogmanay celebrations take centre stage within the castle.
A visit to Edinburgh Castle is an excellent way for the whole family to experience some Scottish history before walking down the Royal Mile and exploring beyond.
Stirling Castle | Stirlingshire
Stirling Castle is located on a cliff in the historic city of Stirling. This grand Renaissance palace was once the favoured residence of Scottish monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots.
The lavishly decorated Great Hall, Chapel Royal, and Royal Apartments will take you back through history. We enjoyed a family-friendly guided tour, where we learnt more about the castle’s history and the life of its residents.
The live performances and interactive exhibits brought the castle’s vibrant past to life, making it a memorable experience for our family. Our kids particularly enjoyed franking a keepsake coin with one of the historical actors.
Book a tour from Edinburgh to see the family-friendly Stirling Castle and the Kelpies.
Eilean Donan Castle | Highlands
Scotland’s west coast draws attention for many reasons, with Eilean Donan Castle being one of them.
Three lochs uniquely come together around the island the fairytale Eilean Donan Castle sits upon. The stunning scenery, stone bridge and romantic allure make it one of Scotland’s most photographed landmarks.
We loved exploring its medieval towers, ramparts, and courtyards while our kids reenacted tales of knights and noble clans that once roamed the castle.
Book a day trip from Inverness and include highlights on the Isle of Skye.
Dunnottar Castle | Aberdeenshire
Dunnottar Castle is one of the best castles in Aberdeenshire. It sits alone on cliffs overlooking the North Sea.
Accessible via a coastal path, the ruin offers families stunning views and a sense of adventure. Dunnottar Castle has centuries of history and hidden chambers to explore. In the 17th century, the Castle was used as a hiding place for the Scottish Crown Jewels’ to keep them safe from Oliver Cromwell.
Add to your adventure by walking from Dunnottar Castle to Stonehaven to watch puffins and other seabirds return cliffs.
Urquhart Castle | Scottish Highlands
Urquhart Castle is situated on the shores of Scotland’s famous Loch Ness, home to the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
A walk through the ruins had our kids role-play battles that occurred within its walls. They navigated the castle while hiding from each other and interacted with the guided demonstration of items traditionally worn until the castle was destroyed in 1692.
You can take a boat tour from the castle onto the Loch for a unique perspective, and perhaps, if you’re lucky, you might spot Nessie!
Glamis Castle | Angus
This is our family’s most visited castle in Scotland because it is our closest. Glamis Castle brings Macbeth to life with its connection to William Shakespeare. Kids love the trail through the pinetum where the three witches reside.
Set in Glamis, the gateway for hiking the Angus Glens and the Cairngorm National Park, this fairytale castle has secret rooms and manicured grounds, perfect for a family day out.
Discover its royal connections, ghostly legends, and treasures with a guided tour. Glamis Castle offers a family-friendly experience that will please visitors of all ages, especially if you add afternoon tea and a visit to the adventure playpark.
St Andrews Castle | Fife
St. Andrews Castle, built in the 13th century, showcases Scotland’s turbulent past on the Fife coastline.
This fortress overlooks the North Sea, offering stunning views and a glimpse into medieval life. Kids love exploring its underground tunnels, hearing tales of siege and conquest, and visiting the infamous bottle dungeon!
After leaving the castle grounds, head to the surrounding beach to get another perspective of how the castle was attacked from below.
Craigievar Castle | Aberdeenshire
Hidden within a forest in Aberdeenshire, you’ll find a fairytale castle.
With its pink hue and turrets, Craigievar Castle resembles those in storybooks and is thought to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Built in the 17th century, it’s famed for its romantic architecture and charming interiors.
Kids will love letting off steam with a walk through the gardens. We participated in an enjoyable, organised family Easter treasure hunt within the grounds.
Balmoral Castle | Aberdeenshire
Within Royal Deeside, Balmoral Castle serves as the Scottish retreat for the British Royal Family. While parts of the castle are private, the grounds and gardens are open to visitors at certain times of the year.
Although worthy of a place on the best castles to visit in Scotland, it is not the most exciting castle for kids. If you are in the area, soak up the Scottish countryside by taking the budget-friendly walk to Prince Albert Pyramid, which is open all year round, and admire the castle from afar.
Castles In Scotland Map
As you can see on the map, the best castles in Scotland are spread across the country. Take a castle-hopping road trip, and keep your eyes peeled for other Castles to visit on route.
Tips For Visiting Castles In Scotland With Kids
Here are some tips to help your family have an enjoyable adventure visiting Scottish Castles:
- Choose Child-Friendly Castles: Opt for castles that offer interactive exhibits, storytelling, or guides that engage kids in the castle’s history. Stirling Castle is our kids’ favourite for interactive role-plays, where they franked a coin, made a lavender pouch, and dressed up.
- Plan Ahead: Research the castle you plan to visit in advance. Check for opening hours, special events, and age restrictions that may affect your visit, such as Edinburgh Castle, which has limited daily tickets.
- Bring Snacks: Exploring castles can be tiring, especially for kids. Pack snacks and drinks to keep everyone energized. Some castles have picnic areas and a cafe.
- Dress For The Weather: Scotland’s unpredictable weather, even in the summer, and exposed areas of castles require layering from wind and rain. Comfortable shoes are a must for uneven terrain within the grounds.
- Respect the Rules: Teach your children not to climb on historic structures or touch artefacts around the castles.
FAQ | Scottish Castles
There are over 1,500 castles in Scotland. Some are preserved fortresses while others are ruins. They can be found throughout the mainland and islands.
Scotland’s history is marked by conflicts, invasions, and power struggles among clans and kingdoms. Castles symbolised wealth, status, and authority and served as defence, control, and asserting dominance over territory.
Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most famous and largest castle. Sat apon an extinct volcano in the capital city it carries a wealth of history. Visitors can explore its grand halls, dungeons, and view the Scottish Crown Jewels.
Many castles in Scotland have an admission fee for visitors to help with the cost of preservation. However, some castles can be viewed from a distance, some, such as Edinburgh Castle, for free.
Final Thoughts | Castles To Visit In Scotland
Castles are an iconic symbol of Scotland. With over 1,000 to visit, each with unique beauty and history, you will never be too far from exploring the past.
From complete structures to ruins, Scotland’s castles have something to offer everyone, whether you’re interested in history, nature, or a family day out!
Castles are just one of many reasons to visit Scotland with kids. It has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world for hiking and a long, rugged coastline with beaches that rival those in the Caribbean.
