Scottish Castles, historic buildings in Scotland

Scottish Castles : Buildings

Historic fortified buildings in Scotland: property hotos + fort history

post updated 25 September 2026

Fetternear Bishop’s Palace, near Kemnay, Aberdeenshire

We post two photos of Fetternear Bishop’s Palace, an archaeological site of what was one of the palaces (or residences) of the medieval bishops of Aberdeen:

photograph © David Welch

It is near Kemnay in Aberdeenshire. Later, a now-rebuilt tower house and then the mansion of Fetternear House were built on part of the site.

photo © David Welch

Scottish Castle Buildings

The most famous Scottish Castle:
Edinburgh Castle, in the heart of the capital

photograph © Adrian Welch

Edinburgh & Lothian: Historic Scottish Houses (full architecture tour, 15 pages long) or click on individual building pages below

Another key Scottish castle is Stirling Castle

photo © Adrian Welch

Famous Eilean Donnan castle:
Eilean Donnan, Lochalsh, Highlands

photo © Adrian Welch

Hailes Castle, East Lothian
One of the most picturesque of Scottish Castles in the central belt is Hailes Castle perched above the River Tyne:

East Lothian Castle – image © Adrian Welch

Castle Tioram, Loch Moidart
One of the key Scottish Castles we feature is Castle Tioram in Ardnamurchan, the furthest west part of Scotland:

West of Scotland Castle – photo © Adrian Welch

A Commitment to Kisimul – an Icon of the Isles
Kisimul Castle Isle of Barra – 1 Nov 2013
Location: Isle of Barra, Western Isles, north west Scotland
One of Scotland’s most iconic castles is to undergo major conservation, archaeological and interpretation work as part of a plan agreed between Historic Scotland and Macneil of Barra. Kisimul Castle of the Isle of Barra is regarded as the most significant medieval castle in the Western Isles. It sits spectacularly on a rock in the bay and is the seat of the Chief of the Clan Macneil and the symbolic home of the Clan around the world. It is of local, national and international significance and one of the most recognised sites in Scotland.

Other Scottish castles on the west coast sea / lochs include Dunstaffnage, Mingary, Duart, Castle Sween and Inverlochy. One of the best known is Castle Stalker, which appeared in a Monty Python film:

photograph © David Welch

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, east of Oban, Highlands

image © Adrian Welch

Dunstaffnage Castle, nr Oban, West Coast

photo © Adrian Welch

Scottish Castle – Lachlan Bay, ruined building on Loch Fyne, Argyll

Old Castle Lachlan: photo © Adrian Welch

A country house that is almost classifiable as a Scottish Castle:
Lennoxlove House, Haddington, East Lothian

East Lothian Castle – image © Adrian Welch

Pages about each of these historic Scottish buildings can be found on the Glasgow Architecture website, with one – Palace of Holyroodhouse – featured on the Edinburgh Architecture website.