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Historic Houses in Scotland (C-E)
An
A-Z Gazetteer of country houses, stately homes and palaces
Many
Scottish homes are named castles. The term castle may refer to
a defensive structure that was adapted for domestic purposes by
later generations. The historic houses in this section are a mixture
of those that started as castles and those built only for domestic
purposes. They are, on the whole, occupied today or habitable.
If you can't find a favorite place here, try looking under Ruined
Castles, Towerhouses and Palaces. It is best to check opening
times with the local TIC or the establishment itself before visiting,
as visiting times can change without notice.
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Callendar House
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Imposing 600 year old mansion. Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Cromwell all visited here. Interpretive centers: kitchen of 1825, 1820's general store, clockmaker and printer, all with costumed workers. History research centre. Magnificent oak panelled library. Georgian gardens.
Callendar Park,
Falkirk,
Central Scotland,
Scotland,
FK1 1YR
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: on A803
Email: callendar.house@falkirk.gov.uk
Phone: 1324 503 770
Fax: 01324 503 771
Location
map
OS NS 899 794
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Castle Fraser
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The castle, built in 1575 one the Z plan, incorporates an earlier building and was remodelled in 1838. Exterior decorative detail: turrets and towers, gables, gargoyles. Great Hall. The ghost of a princess, killed in the Green Room, haunts the castle and rearranges the furniture. Formal walled garden, woodland trails.
Sauchen,
Inverurie,
Grampian,
Scotland,
AB51 7LD
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: 4 m (6 km) N Dunecht, 15 m W Aberdeen, off A944
Website: Castle Fraser
Email: castlefraser@nts.org.uk
Phone: 0844 4932 164
Fax: 01330 833 819
National Trust for Scotland
Location
map
OS NJ723 126
Photo Credit: NTS
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Cawdor Castle
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The central tower of the castle, set amongst beautiful Highland scenery, is a 14th century keep. 17th century wings have been added. Cawdor is the title promised by Shakespeare's witches to Macbeth, and legend makes the castle the place where Duncan was murdered. Massive walls and drawbridge. Original great hall is now the drawing room. Many fine tapestries including 17th century ones depicting the life of Noah. 17th century four poster bed has original velvet hangings. Stunning stone fireplaces and antique furniture. Country park.
Nairn,
Highlands,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland,
IV12 5RD
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: between Nairn and Inverness, on B9090
Website: Cawdor Castle
Email: info@cawdorcastle.com
Phone: 01667 404 401
Fax: 01667 404 674
Historic Houses Association
Location
map
OS NH847498
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Craigievar Castle
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Scottish baronial architecture-six-storey L plan with turrets, cupolas and corbelling. Great Hall of 1626 with original plaster ceilings. 17th and 18th century furniture, family portraits, magnificent canopied bed, Scottish panelling, secret staircase. Woodland walk.
Alford,
Grampian,
Scotland,
AB33 8JF
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: 6 m (10 km) SAlford, 26 m W Aberdeen, on A980. Closed to the public for the time being.
Website: Craigievar Castle
Phone: 013398 83635
Fax: 01330 823783
National Trust for Scotland
Location
map
OS NJ566 096
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Crathes Castle
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These gardens were the lifetime achievement of the late Sir James and Lady Burnett. There are 3 ¾ acres with eight superb walled gardens that include herbaceous borders and many unusual plants. Beautiful colour, interesting shapes and designs are incorporated in the gardens. The Pool Garden contains yellows, reds and purples while the formal Fountain Garden focuses on blues. There is a Rose Garden and a topiary garden. The Golden Garden is a memorial to Lady Burnett. A double herbaceous border separates the Camel and Trough Gardens. There is a White border and a June border. The great yew hedges date from the early 1700's. Visitor Centre with exhibits and displays. Grounds, nature trails.
Banchory,
Grampian,
Scotland,
AB31 3QJ
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: 3 m (5 km) E Banchory, 15 n W Aberdeen, on A93
Website: Crathes Castle
Phone: 0844 4932 166
Fax: 0844 4932 169
National Trust for Scotland
Location
map
OS NO717 958
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Culzean Castle
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Situated on a cliff top on the water's edge. Remodeled by Robert Adams in 1772-1790 for the 10th Earl of Cassillis. Noted for its elegant oval staircase, circular saloon, painted ceilings and friezes. Collection of pictures, 18th century furniture and armoury. 565 acre park contains deer park, courtyards, ponds, gardens, orangery, woodland walks, extensive Visitor Centre.
Maybole,
Strathclyde,
Scotland,
KA19 8LE
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: 4 m (7 km) W Maybole, off A77; 12 m (19.3 km) SW Ayr, on A719
Website: Culzean Castle
Email: culzean@nts.org.uk
Phone: 0870 1181 945
Fax: 0844 4932 150
National Trust for Scotland
Location
map
OS NS233 103
Photo Credit: NTS
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Dalmeny House
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Home of the Earls of Rosebery. This house, built in 1815 in the Tudor-Gothic style, is full of art treasures - tapestries, 18th century French furniture, portraits by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Raeburn and others, 16th and 17th century Scottish furniture and a collection of porcelain. The Napoleon room houses a collection of furniture, paintings and memorabilia related to Napoleon. The entrance hall has a notable hammer-beam ceiling.
South Queensferry,
Lothian,
Scotland,
EH30 9TQ
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: 2 m (3 km) E South Queensferry, signposted off A90
Website: Dalmeny House
Email: events@dalmeny.co.uk
Phone: 0131 331 1888
Fax: 0131 331 1788
Historic Houses Association
Location
map
OS NT166779
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Drum Castle
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Massive 13th century rectangular tower is one of three oldest tower houses in Scotland. Jacobean wing added. Collection of Georgian furniture. 17th century family chapel in the grounds. 100 acre Old Wood of Drum-a natural oakwood, garden of historic roses, woodland walks.
Drumoak,
Banchory,
Grampian,
Scotland,
AB31 3EY
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: 3 m (5 km) W Peterculter, 8 m E Banchory, off A93
Website: Drum Castle
Email: drum@nts.org.uk
Phone: 0844 4932 161
Fax: 0844 4932 162
National Trust for Scotland
Location
map
OS NJ796 005
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Drumlanrig Castle
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A Douglas stronghold, home of Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Elegant pink sandstone turreted castle, built 1679-91 around an original castle. Beautifully situated among wooded hills. Paintings by Leonardo, Holbein and Rembrandt, collection of French furniture. Carvings by Grinling Gibbons. Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here on his retreat northwards on Dec. 22, 1745, and there is a collection of his memorabilia. Extensive gardens and woodlands.
Thornhill,
Dumfries and Galloway,
Scotland,
DG3 4AQ
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: 8 m (13 km) N Dumfries on A76, near Thornhill
Website: Drumlanrig Castle
Email: bre@drumlanrigcastle.org.uk
Phone: 01848 331 555
Fax: 01848 331 682
Historic Houses Association
Location
map
OS NX851992
Accommodation: nearest
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Duart Castle
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Perched on remote Black Point with spectacular sea views. A Maclean stronghold. The oldest part dates from 13th century, razed in 1756 by the English. Rebuilt as a home in 1911.
Craignure,
Isle of Mull,
Strathclyde,
Scotland,
PA64 6AP
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: 2 m (3km) SE Craignure, off A849
Website: Duart Castle
Email: guide@duartcastle.com
Phone: 01680 812 309
Fax: 01680 812 309
Historic Houses Association
Location
map
OS NM728 333
Accommodation: nearest
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Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
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Benedictine priory founded by Queen Margaret in 1070's and elevated to abbey status by David I in 1128. Substantial remains of church, domestic buildings and palace. The western part of the building is the nave of the Abbey church, and the eastern end is the parish kirk. Favorite place for burial of Scottish royalty, including Malcolm Canmore, Queen Margaret and Robert the Bruce - a commemorative brass is found on the floor of the abbey. Adjacent royal palace was the former guesthouse of the abbey. James VI gave the palace to his wife, Anne of Denmark.
St Margaret Street,
Dunfermline,
Central Scotland,
Scotland
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: on A994, off M90
Website: Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Phone: 01383 739 026
Historic Scotland
OS NT090 873
Photo Credit: Barbara Ballard
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Dunrobin Castle
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Home of the Earls of Sutherland. French style turreted castle with a keep dating from around 1300 and additions from 17th-19th centuries. Gives a picture of Victorian Scottish living. Fine furniture and china, paintings and silver. Beautiful formal gardens modelled after those at Versailles. Beach and woodland walks.
Golspie,
Highlands,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland,
KW10 6SF
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: ½ m (.8 km) N Golspie, 12 m N Dornoch, on A9
Website: Dunrobin Castle
Email: info@dunrobincastle.net
Phone: 01408 633 177
Fax: 01408 634 081
Historic Houses Association
Location
map
OS NC849012
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Dunvegan Castle
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Lochside setting, dramatic scenery. Home of Chiefs of MacLeod for 800 years. Alterations made in mid 19th century. Dunvegan's Fairy Flag is reputed to have magical powers. Legend says a MacLeod married a fairy, and, when she returned to her people, she left behind the flag to protect the family from harm. Clan mementos, ancestral portraits, dungeon. Flora MacDonald lived here at one time.
Dunvegan,
Skye,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland,
IV55 8WF
Attraction Type:
Historic House
Location: at end of A850 in NW part of Isle of Skye
Website: Dunvegan Castle
Email: info@dunvegancastle.com
Phone: 01470 521 206
Fax: 1470 521 205
Historic Houses Association
Location
map
OS NG242507
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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