BigRuss

We'll be in Scotland in September and have 4 nights Edinburgh, 4-5 nights wandering, and 1-2 nights again in Edinburgh (last day probably in Stirling on day trip). We're still somewhat up in the air about where to wander north of Edinburgh -- I'm guessing that the best stretch of castle viewing is near Aberdeen (although not in it) and wonder about another good 2-3 night base of exploration. Suggestions? Don't-miss-it castles?

Thanks

janis

Well - you have tons of option but here is one itinerary that would work for you:

Edinburgh - 4 nights

Fife - 1 night. see St Andrews (Old course, Castle, Cathedral), Falkland Palace and a couple of the Fife fishing villages.

Aberdeenshire - 2 nights. Somewhere near Banchory or farther along the Dee would be a good location. You could see Dunnottar, Crathes and Craigevar castles. These are the "musts", but there are many other really lovely ones you could also hit. Castles Fraser, Corgarff, Drum, and Braemar, and Leith Hall, are all options.

Then for your next 2 nights I'd head W or NW. You could go all the way over to Argyll and stay near Oban/Ft William (not IN Ft William) and see entirely different country and places like Kilchurn Castle, Glencoe, mountains, lochs, amybe an island.

OR - you could head up to near Inverness and see Cawdor, Brodie, Urquhart, Ft George, culloden. etc.

Then drive back to Edinburgh for you last night or two.

sheila

If you would like to see what is listed in the Castle Trail in and around Aberdeenshire, have a look at its web site

http://www.agtb.org/castletrail.htm

As to others, there are literally hundreds. What are your criteria? History? Architecture? Rooves? Scenic appeal? location?

let me know and I'll try to do you a list. I have a couple of pre-done routes for people based on castles already, and could easily send you them.

BigRuss

I like architecture and scenic appeal; the boss (that's my fiancee) likes scenic appeal, interior design/furnishing, gardens.

janis

BigRuss: With your new info the itinerary I spelled out would fit well, giving you everything - scenery, Castles, gardens, fab interiors, etc. The only thing you might want to do is skip Fife (I CANNOT believe I'm saying that) and spend 3 nights up on/near the Dee. The castles up there have some GREAT gardens - especially Crathes - and most have really lovely interiors. Dunnottar will give you the wild ruined castle on the sea cliffs experience - really not to be missed. I'd leave Edinburgh and drive up to Glamis Castle enroute to Aberdeenshire. Glamis is huge, interesting and a worthwhile place to break your journey.

Then see Dunnottar, Stonehaven and travel to where ever you decide to stay near Banchory/along the Dee. The next day start "Castle/Garden hunting" - there are so many the 2 free days will only let you scratch the surface. As I said before Crathes and Craigevar are musts - but you won't run out of options. You could even go as far as Huntly.

Then head over to somewhere near/along Loch Linnhe. This area will put you in "scenery overload". Kilchurn, Glencoe and some of the best scenery anywhere.

janis

meant to add - there are a hundred other ways you could do your trip - but with your Edinburgh start/finish, time limitations, the things you enjoy, etc. this route would meet your needs. If you had longer I probably send you in entirely different directions. But this one lets you see a LOT w/o having to drive great distances (except the day you drive between Aberdeenshire and Argyll), and doesn't require you to pack up and move every day.

Fodorite018

A couple years ago we did the same thing. We stayed at the Kildrummy Castle Hotel and loved it! We were there in the winter and it was gorgeous with all the snow. We drove all over the area and visited as many castles as we could. I also remember going to Huntly to buy extra socks and my daughter and I had very cold feet The Kildrummy was very nice...the hotel as well as the staff. Would highly recommend it!

sheila

To catch the mixture; and id I were you:-

before you cross the Forth, Linthligow Palace; over the river, then Loch Leven castle on to Perth, where you should lunch nicely, then go to see Scone Palace, then Glamis. When you've done with that head to Stonehaven and spend the night in the St Leonard's Hotel; then, in the morning, go to Dunottar, then move your bags to Pittodrie House Hotel (a castle in its own right); have a nice lunch, then climb Bennachie above it. You'll be able to see from the summit Harthill castle, the ruins of Dunnydeer and the House of Monymusk, and you'll be standing on an Iron Age vitrified fort.

Day three, you want to do the Deeside castles- maybe three? My choice, would be Crathes for the Gardens, then Craigievar for the pretty, then Braemar for the blood and guts. Pick up a stone circle too. Then back to Pittodrie for the night

Next day, I'd do Fyvie for the grandeur, then Corgarff and cross over to Speyside. Go and see Loch an Eilean with its pretty little castle on the island, then head down Loch Laggan and stay at the Pierhouse at port Appin- within spitting distance of Castle Stalker. Day 4, head down through Kilmartin and pick up Dunadd for another mediaeval castle, AFTER you've seen Arduaine gardens. the do inverary, and hop skip and jump back as afar as Stirling.

Any good to you?

leeg

Looks like you got plenty of information on castles. We were in Scotland last year and spent a few days on the Isle of Skye. Great scenery, hiking etc. Very different from other parts of the country. I would highly recommend you look into Skye.