10 Tips for Visiting Famous Scottish Castles Like a History Pro

Scotland is home to anywhere between 1,500 and 3,000 castles, depending on who you ask. In fact, here are so many that quite a large number are privately owned, run as hotels or luxury home rentals.

Glamis Castle,  childhood home of the late Queen Elizabeth. Photo: Visit Scotland

It’s an impressive number, considering the size of the country, and reflects Scotland’s turbulent and conflict-filled history. Between the 11th and 18th centuries, the country was often embroiled in wars, including battles with England and internal clan disputes. Many of the now-famous Scottish castles served as defensive strongholds designed to protect the land and assert dominance over would-be invaders. The rugged and often inaccessible terrain of Scotland also meant that many regions developed independently, leading to a proliferation of castles across the landscape as local lords and chieftains sought to secure their own territories.

Today, castles are deeply woven into the national identity, symbolizing Scotland’s resilience, independence, and rich history. So if you’re planning a trip to Scotland, you’ll likely want to visit at least one or two famous Scottish castles. But castles are big, and if you’ve never visited one, you may not know exactly what to expect, where to go, or how much time spend there. To help make it a little easier to add a few famous Scottish castles to your Scotland slow travel itinerary, Matador Network got the scoop on how a true professional recommends visiting castles, and how you can make the most of your future visit. We asked Ross Blevins, Interpretative Events and Guiding Manager at Stirling Castle, for his insider knowledge.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Stirling Castle. Photo: Visit Scotland

Matador Network: Is visiting castles a popular activity for Scotland visitors? Are there estimates on how many people visit Stirling Castle each year?

Ross Blevins: Visiting castles and other heritage attractions is a hugely popular pastime. Stirling Castle receives over 500,000 visitors each year and is in our top three most-visited sites annually, with its rich history at the heart of Scotland’s story.

Matador Network: Are people usually well-prepared for castle tours? Are there any common concerns or problems you run into frequently on tours?

The castle guided tours are well received by castle visitors and are important in helping to enhance the visitor experience. Visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy costumed performers and special events at key intervals throughout the year.

Many famous Scottish castles have multiple indoor museum and displays, providing plenty of draws, even if you aren’t interested in the castle itself. Photo: Visit Scotland

Matador Network: What do people usually want to learn about the most during castle visits? The history, the architecture, the legends…?

Visitors have many interests when visiting Stirling Castle. Some come to admire its rich architecture and the views across to the Ochil Hills, which formed the backdrop to some of the most famous events in Scotland’s history. Others want to learn about the castle’s history and to discover the people and events that have shaped the castle’s past, such as Mary Queen of Scots, who lived there as a child. The palace apartments of her youth have been painstakingly recreated to transport visitors back in time. This includes a set of unicorn tapestries that were recreated in association with organizations, including The Met [(Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC)], based on those believed to have once hung on the palace walls. Stirling is also home to a series of carved wooden ‘Stirling Heads,’ which feature characters from the castle’s past, and once adorned the ceiling but can now be seen in a specially created viewing gallery.

Matador Network: Do you recommend taking a tour, or visiting on your own? Is there a certain kind of visitor who may prefer each?

Visitors are not required to take a guided tour. Tours are provided free of charge for those who wish to take one. Many visitors prefer to explore the castle at their own pace. Others hire an audio guide to help them get the most from the experience. Guide books can also be purchased to aid visitors as they explore the castle. There are also lots of interpretation signs around the castle, which provide lots of useful information to enhance the overall visit.

10 tips for visiting famous Scottish castles

Visiting lesser known castles can be a great way to avoid crowds in crowded seasons — and learn about more specific parts of Scotland’s history. Photo: Visit Scotland/Paul Tomkins

Visiting castles can be a highlight of any trip, but to make the most of your experience, it’s important to plan ahead and approach each visit thoughtfully. Here are some specific tips for touring castles as a tourist:

• Research the castle’s history: Before you visit, take some time to learn about the castle’s history. Understanding who built it, who lived there, and its role in history will enrich your experience and help you appreciate the details you see. It’ll also make it easier to understand the signage you’re reading or blurbs you’re hearing on the audio tour if you know just a little about the people and communities of the time.
• Go early or late: To avoid crowds and have a more personal experience, visit the most famous Scottish castles either early in the morning or later in the afternoon. This is especially important for popular sites like Edinburgh Castle, where peak hours can be quite busy. Be sure to check the castle’s hours in advance, though, as some may have limited hours or not be open every day in the off-season.
• Wear comfortable footwear: Castles often involve a lot of walking, including navigating uneven terrain, steep staircases, and cobblestone paths. Building standards in the 13th century weren’t exactly what they are today. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to ensure you can explore without discomfort. A good grip on your shoes is useful, too, especially since stone and grass can be quite slick after rain. And rainy days happen quite often in Scotland.

Photo: Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam

• Check the guided tour schedule: Many castles offer guided tours led by knowledgeable guides who can provide insights and stories that you might miss on a self-guided visit. These tours often include access to areas not open to the general public. Sometimes, as with Stirling Castle, guided tours are free. At other properties, they may be only at set times, or require a different tier of admission ticket.
• You may want binoculars: Castles are often on hillsides with stunning views of valleys and mountains beyond. Sometimes, they may have scopes mounted for guests to use. So bringing a small pair of binoculars can help you get a good look at the landscapes around some of the most famous castles — and be a fun way to look around while you relax outdoors on a castle hillside with lunch or for a coffee break.
• Bring water: Some castles are in remote locations with limited access to food and drinks, and you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking. Bring a refillable water bottle, and maybe a snack or two, if you plan to stay a while.
• Check accessibility options: If you have mobility concerns, check in advance about the castle’s accessibility. Some castles have steep stairs, narrow passages, or long walks from parking areas, which may be challenging. Some castles have alternative pathways and modern additions to make visiting easier for mobility-challenged guests, but you may have to have a staff member show you where the ramps or elevator are, as you can’t exactly plop a modern elevator in the middle of a 600-year-old stone castle.

Photo: Visit Scotland

• Visit lesser-known castles: While famous Scottish castles like Stirling and Edinburgh are must-sees, exploring lesser-known castles can offer a more intimate and unique experience. Castles like Craigievar or Castle Stalker are usually less crowded, but equally fascinating. Rural villages can be just as appealing as large cities like Glasgow.
• Plan for the weather: Scotland’s weather can be unpredictable and most castles include multiple buildings and various levels of courtyards and exposed pathways. Dress in layers, bring a waterproof and/or windproof jacket, and be prepared for sudden changes in weather, especially if you’re exploring ruins or castles with large outdoor areas.
• Respect preservation rules: Many castles are historic sites with delicate structures. Follow all guidelines for visitors, such as not touching artifacts, staying on marked paths, and respecting restricted areas to help preserve these sites for future generations. Even if a pathway looks sturdy enough to walk on, or a staircase looks like it ought to be open, don’t be a jerk. Historians and castle experts know where is and isn’t safe to go. Don’t trespass, as you’ll make more work for staff, potentially damage areas of historical significance, and just encourage other people to break rules put in place to protect important cultural sites.