I know exactly how you feel right now.
You are sitting at your computer or holding your phone. You are looking at photos of green hills and gray stone towers. You are daydreaming about taking a trip. But then, the fear sets in. The planning feels too big. You worry about getting lost. You worry about spending too much money.
I want you to take a deep breath. You can do this.
Years ago, I felt that exact same fear. I was stuck in a gray cubicle. I was trapped in the 9-to-5 corporate grind. I wanted to see the world, but it felt impossible. I waitressed double shifts for months just to save money for my first big solo trip. Leaving my comfortable life behind was scary. But taking that leap changed everything for me.
Today, my goal is to help you take your leap. If you are dreaming of a magical, historic trip, you are in the right place. Scotland is one of the safest, most beautiful, and most welcoming countries in the world. It is the perfect place for a first-time solo traveler.
But Scotland has hundreds of old forts and ruins. How do you choose? To save you time, I have put together this huge, deep guide. I want to share my personal list of The best castles to visit in Scotland.
I am not just going to give you a quick list. I am going to hold your hand through the whole process. I will tell you exactly how to get there, what to eat, and the secret tips I learned on the road.
Let’s pack your bags and get started.
Getting Ready: The Basics of Your Trip
Before we talk about the big stone walls, we need to talk about the basics. Planning a trip to a new country can feel like a giant puzzle. Let’s break it down into easy pieces.
Before I ever pack a bag, I always look at the basic entry rules. It is a good habit to read the official travel safety information from the US Department of State before you book your flights. They tell you exactly what you need to know about your passport and visa rules. For most travelers, going to the UK is very simple.
How to Travel Between the Castles
You have two main choices for getting around Scotland.
1. Using the Trains and Buses Scotland has a great train system. The trains are clean, safe, and they have big windows. If you are nervous about driving on the left side of the road, do not rent a car. You can reach many of The best castles to visit in Scotland using just the public trains and buses. This is how I traveled on my first trip. I loved sitting by the window and watching the sheep roll by.
2. Renting a Car If you want total freedom, renting a car is amazing. You can stop whenever you see a beautiful lake (called a loch). Driving in the deep countryside is very quiet. Just remember that many country roads are only one lane wide. You have to use “passing places” to let other cars go by. Take your time and do not rush.
Now, let’s dive into the amazing places you are going to see.
Edinburgh Castle: The Huge Fortress in the Sky
If you are flying into Scotland, you will probably start in the city of Edinburgh. This city is built on old volcanoes. Right in the middle of the city, sitting high up on a giant black rock, is Edinburgh Castle.
When I used to herd 40 tourists through Times Square as a New York sightseeing guide, I learned how stressful big crowds can be. Edinburgh Castle gets very crowded because it is so famous. But you absolutely must see it. It is like stepping back in time. The whole area around it is amazing. In fact, the city’s entire Old Town area is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site, which means its history is protected and preserved for the whole world to enjoy.
Insider Secrets for Edinburgh Castle
Do not buy your ticket at the front gate. The line is always huge. Buy your ticket online at least two days before you go. When you walk through the main gate, most people stop to look at the first cannons they see. Do not do this. Walk right past them and head straight to the Crown Room.
This is where the old Scottish crown jewels are kept. If you go there first, you can see them without being pushed by a big crowd. After that, you can take your time exploring the rest of the walls.
Specific Navigation Advice
Getting to Edinburgh Castle is very easy because you can see it from everywhere!
- Step 1: Start at Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.
- Step 2: Walk out the main doors toward Princes Street.
- Step 3: Look for the steep, curving road called The Mound. Walk up this hill. Take your time, it is a big climb!
- Step 4: At the top of the hill, turn right onto the famous street called the Royal Mile.
- Step 5: Walk straight up the cobblestones until you reach the huge open space in front of the castle gates.
What to Eat Nearby
Walking up that big hill will make you hungry. When you leave the castle, walk down the Royal Mile and turn onto a side street to find a pub. You must try “Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties.” Do not let the name scare you! Haggis is a rich, spicy meat dish. Neeps are mashed yellow turnips. Tatties are creamy mashed potatoes. It comes with a dark gravy. It is warm, heavy, and perfect for a breezy Scottish day. I love eating it at Makars Gourmet Mash Bar right off the main road.
Stirling Castle: The Heart of the Heroes
If you only have time to leave the city once, you need to go to Stirling. When people ask me to name The best castles to visit in Scotland, Stirling is always near the top.
This place feels like a real battle fort. It is where famous Scottish heroes like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce fought their biggest battles. The castle is painted a bright, golden yellow color that you can see for miles.
Insider Secrets for Stirling Castle
The secret to Stirling Castle is the people who work there. Inside the royal palace rooms, you will find workers dressed up in heavy, beautiful clothes from the 1500s. Do not be shy! Walk up and talk to them. They are highly trained actors and historians. Ask them what they are doing. Ask them about the king. They stay in character and tell you amazing stories that you will never find on a normal sign on the wall. It makes the history feel completely alive.
Specific Navigation Advice
Stirling is super easy to reach by train.
- Step 1: Go to the train station in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
- Step 2: Buy a return (round-trip) ticket to Stirling. The ride takes less than an hour.
- Step 3: When you get off the train in Stirling, walk out the front doors of the station.
- Step 4: You will see the castle high up on the hill. Just keep walking uphill! You will pass through the beautiful old town streets. The walk takes about 15 minutes, but it is very steep. Wear good, flat walking shoes.
What to Eat Nearby
After you explore the giant walls, walk back down the hill. Stop at The Portcullis pub. It is right near the castle. Order a hot bowl of “Cullen Skink.” This is a thick, creamy soup made with smoked haddock fish, potatoes, and onions. It is served with thick, crusty bread and lots of real butter. If you get cold from the Scottish wind, this soup will warm you up from the inside out.
Eilean Donan Castle: The One From the Photos
If you close your eyes and picture a Scottish castle, you are probably picturing Eilean Donan. It sits on a tiny island where three huge lakes meet. There is a long, curving stone bridge that connects the castle to the land. High, dark mountains surround the water. It is simply perfect.
If you want a great overview of the whole country and its regions before you plan this long drive, you should check out the destination guide to Scotland on Lonely Planet to get inspired about the Highlands. The Highlands are wild, empty, and breathtaking.
Insider Secrets for Eilean Donan
Because it is so famous, bus tours stop here all day. Here is my secret: check the tide times online before you go. You want to visit at low tide. When the water goes out, it leaves behind beautiful, rocky mudflats covered in seaweed. You can walk down off the grass and stand on the rocks below the bridge. This is where you get the most amazing, quiet photos without the crowds in your way.
Specific Navigation Advice
This castle is in the deep Highlands. The easiest way to get here is by car.
- Step 1: From the city of Inverness, drive south on the road called the A82 along Loch Ness.
- Step 2: Turn right onto the A87 road heading west toward the Isle of Skye.
- Step 3: Keep driving for about an hour. The road twists through massive, empty mountains.
- Step 4: You will suddenly see the castle on your left side in the village of Dornie. There is a large parking lot right by the visitor center.
What to Eat Nearby
When you are this close to the sea and the wild hills, you should eat the local food. Stop at a local pub in Dornie or Kyle of Lochalsh and order a Venison Pie. Venison is deer meat, and it is very common in the Highlands. The meat is cooked slow until it is super soft, then covered in thick gravy and wrapped in warm, flaky pastry.
Dunnottar Castle: The Wild Ruin on the Cliffs
Not all of The best castles to visit in Scotland have roofs and warm fires. Some of them are wild, broken ruins. Dunnottar Castle is my absolute favorite ruin in the world.
It sits on a giant chunk of rock that sticks out into the crashing ocean. To get into it, you have to walk down a steep cliff of stairs, walk across a narrow dirt path, and then climb up a dark tunnel into the rock. It is windy, loud, and incredible.
Insider Secrets for Dunnottar Castle
Do not just go to the castle and leave. The secret here is the walk. Do not park at the castle parking lot. Instead, start in the town of Stonehaven. There is a dirt path that runs along the very edge of the high cliffs all the way from the town to the castle. It takes about 40 minutes to walk. The views of the ocean crashing against the rocks are better than anything you will ever see from a car window.
Specific Navigation Advice
- Step 1: Take a train from Edinburgh or Aberdeen to the coastal town of Stonehaven.
- Step 2: Walk down from the train station to the Stonehaven harbor.
- Step 3: Look for the signs pointing to the “Coastal Path to Dunnottar.”
- Step 4: Follow the dirt path up the green hills. Keep the ocean on your left. You cannot get lost. Soon, you will see the ruins in the distance.
What to Eat Nearby
When you walk back to the town of Stonehaven, you will smell salt and vinegar in the air. You must go to The Bay Fish & Chips. It is right on the beach. Order a “Fish Supper.” This means deep-fried fresh haddock and thick cut french fries. The fish is caught locally. Take your hot paper box of food, sit on the beach wall, and watch the ocean while you eat. Watch out for the seagulls! They will try to steal your fries.
Urquhart Castle: The Legend of the Monster
You cannot go to Scotland and skip Loch Ness. The lake is super deep, dark, and famous for its monster. Right on the edge of the water are the ruins of Urquhart Castle.
I remember when I taught English abroad, my young students always asked me if I believed in monsters. When you stand on the ruined tower of Urquhart and look out over the black water, it is easy to believe that something huge is hiding down there.
Insider Secrets for Urquhart Castle
Most people drive up, park, walk down the hill, and leave. The best way to see this castle is from the water. Book a boat cruise from the nearby town of Inverness or Clansman Harbour. The boat sails slowly down the lake. Seeing the castle slowly appear from the fog on the water is a memory you will never forget. Some boats even let you off right at the castle docks.
Specific Navigation Advice
- Step 1: Start in the northern city of Inverness.
- Step 2: Go to the main bus station in town.
- Step 3: Buy a ticket for the bus going to Fort William or Drumnadrochit.
- Step 4: Tell the bus driver you want to stop at Urquhart Castle. They are very friendly and will tell you when to get off. The bus stops right at the top of the hill above the visitor center.
What to Eat Nearby
Go to the tiny village of Drumnadrochit, just a few minutes away. Find a cafe and order a simple cup of hot black tea and a slice of Scottish Shortbread. Shortbread is a thick, hard cookie made mostly of butter and sugar. It sounds simple, but real Scottish shortbread melts in your mouth and is perfect for dipping into hot tea after a cold boat ride.
Craigievar Castle: The Pink Fairy Tale
If you want to see a castle that looks like it belongs in a princess movie, you need to find Craigievar. This is not a dark, scary war fort. It is a tall, skinny tower covered in bright pink walls! People say this castle inspired Walt Disney when he drew his famous movie castles.
When you find The best castles to visit in Scotland, you realize how different they all are. This one is surrounded by quiet, green forests and old trees. It feels very peaceful.
Insider Secrets for Craigievar Castle
Here is an amazing secret: there are no electric lights on the upper floors of this castle. The people who take care of it want to keep it exactly as it was hundreds of years ago. Because of this, you should try to visit on a bright, sunny day. The sunlight comes through the small glass windows and lights up the old wood and paintings in a very soft, natural way. It feels incredibly quiet and pure.
Specific Navigation Advice
This castle is hidden away, so a car is the best way to get here.
- Step 1: Drive west from the city of Aberdeen on the A944 road.
- Step 2: Drive past the small town of Alford.
- Step 3: Look very closely for the brown tourist signs pointing left toward Craigievar. The country roads get very narrow here.
- Step 4: Follow the winding road up through the trees until you reach the small gravel parking lot.
What to Eat Nearby
Since this castle is out in the quiet country, stop in the nearby village of Alford at a local tea room. Order a fresh Scone with Clotted Cream and Jam. A Scottish scone is like a soft, sweet biscuit. You cut it in half, spread thick yellow cream on it, and top it with strawberry jam. It is a wonderful, sweet afternoon treat.
Culzean Castle: The Mansion on the Coast
Let’s finish our list with something very fancy. Culzean (pronounced “Kull-ane”) Castle sits on the west coast of Scotland. It is a massive, beautiful mansion that looks out over the ocean toward the islands.
This castle has giant oval staircases, beautiful painted ceilings, and huge gardens with palm trees. Yes, palm trees in Scotland! The warm air from the ocean keeps the gardens very warm.
Insider Secrets for Culzean Castle
When you are exploring the armory room, which is filled with old swords and guns on the walls, look very closely at the displays. The staff sometimes hides tiny Lego figures in the displays for children (and curious adults) to find. Also, take the time to walk down the wooded paths to the beach below the castle. You can explore small caves in the rocks when the tide is out.
Specific Navigation Advice
- Step 1: Take a train from the city of Glasgow heading south to the town of Maybole.
- Step 2: When you get to Maybole, you will need to take a local bus or a short taxi ride to the castle gates.
- Step 3: Once you pass the gatehouse, it is a long, beautiful walk through the forest park to reach the actual castle building.
What to Eat Nearby
Inside the castle, there is a lovely cafe. You must order “Sticky Toffee Pudding.” This is not pudding like you find in a plastic cup. It is a warm, dark sponge cake filled with chopped dates. It is covered in a hot, sweet caramel sauce and served with vanilla ice cream. It is the best dessert in the world.
Smart Travel and Safety Tips for Your Journey
Planning your trip is about more than just picking buildings to look at. You need to make sure you are safe and prepared.
I want you to feel confident. The best way to beat travel anxiety is to plan ahead. First, think about your health. Even for a safe country like Scotland, you can check the travelers’ health guidelines for the UK from the CDC to see what simple medicines to pack. I always bring my own painkillers and bandages so I do not have to find a pharmacy when my feet hurt from walking.
Second, protect your trip money. Sometimes flights get delayed. Sometimes luggage gets lost. I always tell my readers to buy flexible travel insurance from World Nomads because it gives you peace of mind. Knowing you are covered if something goes wrong takes away a huge amount of stress.
Packing the Right Gear
The weather in Scotland changes every ten minutes. It will be sunny, then rainy, then windy, all in the same hour.
- Do not pack an umbrella. The wind will break it in five seconds.
- Do pack a waterproof jacket. Make sure it has a good hood.
- Wear layers. Bring a t-shirt, a warm sweater, and your jacket. You can take them off and put them on as the weather changes.
- Bring two pairs of shoes. If you step in a deep puddle on a castle lawn, you want a dry pair of shoes waiting in your hotel room.
Money and Paying for Things
Scotland uses the British Pound. You do not need to carry a lot of paper cash. Almost every single pub, train station, and castle ticket desk accepts “contactless” credit cards or phone payments. Just bring a small amount of cash to tip your tour guides or to buy small snacks from tiny village shops.
Final Thoughts on Taking the Leap
Look at how much you know now. You know how to take the trains. You know what amazing food to order. You know how to avoid the big crowds.
If you have been dreaming about The best castles to visit in Scotland, I want you to stop daydreaming and start doing. Pick a date. Request the time off work. Buy that plane ticket.
Solo travel is not about being perfectly brave. It is about being a little bit scared, but going anyway. You are going to stand on a windy cliff. You are going to walk through heavy wooden doors that kings walked through hundreds of years ago. You are going to meet friendly locals, eat amazing food, and prove to yourself how strong and capable you really are.
The world is waiting for you. Go pack your bags. Your Scottish adventure is about to begin.
