I'm amused when folks talk about # of castles a day - as though there might be some sort of rule - and hinting that "seen one, seen them all".

There are literally 100's of castles - and no two are alike. In general there are 3 main types of castle properties.

The "Cawdor, Glamis and Dunrobin " types that eliza3 lists. Also includes places like Crathes, Floors, Dunvegan,Culzean, etc. These are castles that are still homes. Complete, furnished, formal gardens, posh paintings/furnishings and so on. Sort of palace-like.

There are grand historic/military castles like Edinburgh and Stirling. They are complete and still have a military presence w/ regimental museums, parade grounds, guns/canons etc. They are NOTHING like the posh house-type castles listed above.

Then there are the atmospheric castle ruins w/ towers to climb and dungeons to explore. Like Tantallon, Dunnottar, Urquhart, Kilchurn, Doune, Castle Campbell, Huntly, Balvenie and a hundred others. These are NOTHING like the first two groups.

So don't even think of "how many a day" - just stop at any along your route - you will not be disappointed.

Oh Janisj, what a coincidence - I have just been writing a reply in a similar vein for an enquiry about day trips from Edinburgh - you've just said it much better than I did!

I absolutely agree with all you have said. We have explored as many castles as we could - with combinations of babies, toddlers, small children, teenagers, and grandparents in tow - and over many years. We just can't get enough. As you say, they are all different and I just love standing quietly somewhere in a castle or its grounds and imagining all the people who lived and died there.