Restored by Wigtown District Council and open to the public since 1990, the castle was built in 1510 by Ninian Adair of Kilhurst, one of the most powerful Lairds of Wigtownshire.
It passed to the Kennedys in 1591, was a Dalrymple of Stair property from 1680 and eventually passed to public ownership in 1815 when it was purchased by the Burgh of Stranraer. Standing four storeys tall, it was also used as the town gaol between 1815 and 1907. The Castle of St. John was restored in 1988/89 and reopened as a Visitor Centre in 1990
Opening Hours
- The Castle will be closed in 2008 for building work**
Contact:
Castle of St John
Charlotte Street
Stranraer
Dumfries & Galloway
DG9 7EJ
Scotland
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Scottish Castles
our directory of Castles in Scotland.
13th century fortified house with limited access in Fife.
Armadale Castle Gardens & Museum of the Isles is set amidst breathtaking milieu within the Peninsula of the Isle of Skye.
This Victorian castle is a stunning red sandstone structure, now fully restored and lived in by the owners.
Dating back to the 16th Century, this Castle is the family home of the MacPherson -Grants, lairds of Ballindalloch since 1546.
Balmoral is open to visitors since March 2008. The DVD theatre would give a real insight into the workings of this 150 year old highland estate.
A fine 13th century castle of enclosure with a curtain wall, first owned by the Comyns. Balvenie was added to in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Built in the 14th century and massively strengthened in the 16th century as an artillery fortress,Blackness castle is one of Scotland's most impressive strongholds.
The largest and finest 13th century stone castle in Scotland, much fought over during the Wars of Independence.
The site of this ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton was a fortress even in Viking times.
Caerlaverock (Lark's Nest), Caerlaverock (Lark's Nest), one of Scotland's finest castles, is everyone's idea of a medieval fortress.
Cardoness Castle is the well-preserved ruin of a tower house dating back to the 15th, the erstwhile home of the McCullochs.
A handsome combined tower house and hall, home of John Carswell, first protestant bishop of the Isles, and translator of the first book printed in Gaelic.
Located at 3.5 miles south of Creetown, this castle is the delightful and well-preserved ruin of a four storied tower house of the C16th with C18th ranges of out-houses.
Formerly known as the Castle of Glooms, this castle is set amidst a stunning locale.
The most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland, and one of the grandest Castles of Mar, Castle Fraser was built between 1575 and 1636 by the 6th laird, Michael Frase.
Some of the remnants of this castle may date back to the 12th century.
The Castle of St. John, also known as the Chapel or Stranraer Castle is located in the centre of Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway.
A wonderfully picturesque oblong tower islanded at the mouth of Loch Laich, which can only be reached by boat.
A wonderfully picturesque oblong tower islanded at the mouth of Loch Laich
Castle Sween is a late 11th or 12th Century Castle with later additions, probably the oldest stone castle on the Scottish mainland.
A fairytale castle that has been the home of the Thanes of Cawdor since its construction in 1370.
This 16th century tower house has circular towers at diagonally opposite corners, corbelled out to form overhanging cap houses.
A 16th Century tower house, converted into a barracks for Government troops in 1748 to control the smuggling of illicit whisky.
This fairytale-like castle, an example of the best of Scottish Baronial architecture, seems to have grown naturally out of the beautiful rolling hillsides of Aberdeenshire.
Nestled along the banks of the River Nethan, the oldest part of the castle dates back to the 16th century, a tower house built by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart.
The castle, dating back to the second half of the 16th century, is a stunning example of a tower house of the period.
It is a large and sophisticated castle with a spectacular facade of faceted stonework in an Italian style added between 1581 and 1591.
Robert Adam converted a rather ordinary fortified tower house into this elegant bachelor residence for David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis, between 1777 and 1792.
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Moniack Castle
Address: HIGHLAND WINERIES, Moniack Castle, INVERNESS IV5 7PQ
Description of Moniack Castle
Moniack Castle incorporates a 17th-century L-plan tower house, consisting of a main block of three storeys and a two-storey wing, which has been much altered over the centuries. It was a property of the Frasers of Lovat. Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, lived here. He was an active Jacobite, although he was imprisoned in France and supported the government in the 1715. He took part in the 1745 Rising, but was captured, tried and executed in 1747. In the grounds of the caste is a carved Pictish stone, bearing a bird-headed man carrying a club as well as prehistoric cup and ring marks. Highland Wineries is based at the castle, and Moniack Castle now gives its name to a range of wines and foods, including elderflower and silver birch, and mead and sloe gin, and there are also meat and game preserves. There is also a wine bar and bistro.
Directions to Moniack
On A862, 7 miles SW of Inverness, Moniack, Kirkhill
Rating ***
Opening Hours Open Mar-Oct, daily 10.00-17.00, closed Sun; Nov-Feb, 11.00-16.00.
Phone 01463 831283
Fax 01463 831419
Type Castle / Winery
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This Italian castle has also a Roman viaduct and Ruined Arch to add up to its style set atop a spectacular clifftop.
The castle has been marvelously restored by the Trust. It contains a rich collection of paintings and furniture, and a display of weapons in the Armoury. The Circular Saloon has a superb panoramic view over the Firth of Clyde and the beautiful Oval Staircase is Robert Adams final masterpiece of interior design.
In 1945 the top floor was gifted away to General Eisenhower as a token of Scotlands recognition of his role during World War II. His apartment now houses a small country house hotel. The Georgian Kitchen gives a glimpse of life below stairs 200 years ago.
Educational programmes and tours are available. Through the Clocktower Courtyard, a coach-house and stables have been converted
into the Castle Shop and Old Stables Coffee House.
The Country Park
Set up in 1969, this is the first country park of Scotland and is a treasure trove of natural and historical information. The woodland would take the visitor to the Deer Park, along the Cliff Walk or to the many restored estate buildings, such as the Ruined Arch and Viaduct, beautiful Camellia House and unique Pagoda. Garden areas include the terraced Fountain Court and the Walled Garden with its redesigned pleasure garden and impressive reconstructed Victorian Vinery.
The Visitor Centre, includes the Home Farm Restaurant, the Home Farm Shop, the Country Park Shop and Plant Centre. The new auditorium and exhibition at the Visitor Centre explain the history of Culzean and the Trusts conservation work. The Gas House, Ice House and Swan Pond are the other attractions.
Opening Hours
Castle and Walled Garden: 30 March to 31 Oct, daily 10.305 (last entry 4).
Country Park: all year, daily 9.30sunset.
Visitor Centre: 30 March to 31 Oct, daily 9.305.30; 1 Nov to 29 March, Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun 114.
Other visitor facilities: 30 March to 31 Oct, daily 10.305.30.
contact
Enquiries
Maybole
South Ayrshire
Ayrshire
KA19 8LE
Scotland
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A fairytale castle that has been the home of the Thanes of Cawdor since its construction in 1370.
Dotted with enchanting gardens, verdant nature trails and golf course, it is popular among tourists. There is also a restaurant, gift shop, snack bar and picnic area.
Contact:
The Dowager Countess Cawdor
Cawdor Castle Ltd
Nairn
Inverness-shire
IV12 5RD
Scotland
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The walls of this castle in some places stand 47ft high by 72 ft long. The MacLachlans are believed to have had possession of lands in Strathlachlan for over 900 years, and a one-time Chief was a close friend of King Robert the Bruce of Scotland.
Contact:
Mrs Mary Jewison
Castle Lachlan
Strathlachlan
Argyll
PA27 8BU
Scotland
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The delightful and well-preserved ruin of a four storied tower house of the C16th with C18th ranges of out-houses, originally linked to outbuildings.
One of the owners of this castle was the last abbot of Sweetheart Abbey. Vistors can see the interiors as keys available during standard opening times.
Contact:
Mr Stuart McLean
Carnasserie Castle
Kilmartin
Argyll
PA31 8RQ
Scotland
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The architectural details inside the tower are of a high quality and there are good views over Fleet Bay from the battlements.
New scale model and exhibition.Some fine stone carvings in the great hall can be touched up one flight of stairs.
A steep path and six flights of steps lead to the monument. There is no access for those using wheelchairs and the castle is not recommended for visitors with walking or breathing difficulties.
At the top of the hill the ground levels out. Benches allow an opportunity to rest and enjoy the superb view and there is one interpretation board.
A 30° ramp leads to the ground floor of the property but all staircases are spiral.
Contact:
The Steward
Gatehouse of Fleet
Dumfries & Galloway
DG7 2EH
Scotland
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