An A-Z Gazetteer of country houses, stately homes and palaces
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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.

Abbotsford House
Two miles (3km.) southeast of Galashiels, Borders, near Melrose, off A72/A6091 on the B6360 by the River Tweed. Tel. (0) 1896 752 043. Historic Houses Association.
This was the home of Sir Walter Scott. He tore down a farmhouse on the site and built the house in 1822 in the medieval style. A wing was added during the 1850's after his death. In the house is an important collection of armour, a library of books and a collection of curiosities, including a glass of Robert Burns, Rob Roy souvenirs and a desk from George IV. The entrance hall is decorated with richly carved wooden panelling from Dunfermline Abbey Church. Borders

Alloa Tower
On the A907 at Alloa, Fife & Central. Tel. (0) 1259 211 701. National Trust for Scotland.
Restoration of 1497 (modified in 18th century) ancestral home of Earls of Mar and Kellie. One of the largest surviving medieval tower houses. Original oak beams, vaulting, pit dungeon and well. Collection of paintings. Fife & Central

Argyll’s Lodging
Sterling, Central Tel. (0) 1786 431 319. Historic Scotland.
Town residence of Earls of Argyll. Most complete example of 17th century town home in Scotland, restored and furnished. Hall, dining room, drawing room, bedroom with hangings. Fife & Central

Arniston House
7 (11.3km) miles southeast of Edinburgh, Lothian, on B6372 near Gorebridge. Tel. (0) 1875 830 515. Historic Houses Association.
Family seat of the Dundas family. Elegant Palladian mansion built in 1726 by architect William Adam and continued by his son John. Decorative stuccowork. Lothian

Ayton Castle
1 ½ miles (2.4km) southeast of Eyemouth, Borders, on B6355. Tel. (0) 18907 81212. Historic Houses Association.
A red sandstone Victorian castle built in 1846. Borders

Balcaskie House
One mile (1.6km) northwest of Pittenweem, Fife & Central.
A 16th century tower house purchased by William Bruce, one of Scotland's leading architects. He laid out the formal terraced gardens and extended the tower house into a mansion. Dining room has beautiful frescoes and portraits. Fife & Central

Ballindalloch Castle
Fourteen miles (22.5km) northeast of Grantown-on-Spey, Grampian, on A95. Tel. (0) 1807 500 205. Historic Houses Association.
Romantic castle in the heart of the whiskey country. Home of the Macpherson-Grants since 1546. Originally a tower house, added to in Victorian times. Home to Aberdeen Angus herd of cattle. Rock garden, river walks. Grampian

Balmoral Castle
Eight miles (13km) southwest of Ballater, Grampian, off A93. Tel. (0) 13397 42334. Website
Scottish home of the Royal family. Mid 19th century castle built of local granite in baronial style, for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The grounds and ballroom only are open mid April-end July, daily except Sun, 10am-5pm (when the Queen is not in residence.) Grampian

Biel
Four miles (6km) west of Dunbar, Lothian, off B6370 near Stenton. Tel. (0) 1620 860 355. Historic Houses Association. Open by appointment.
12th century tower house with 18th century additions, extended in the Gothic style in the 19th century. Terraced gardens. Lothian

Blair Castle
Seven miles (11.3km) north of Pitlochry, Tayside, off A9. Tel. (0) 1796 481 207. Historic Houses Association.
Set in beautiful Highland scenery, this is Scotland's most visited historic house, the home of the Atholl Highlanders, originally the only private army in Britain, now a ceremonial bodyguard. Gabled and turreted white exterior. Renovated from an earlier castle in the 18th century. Interior has plasterwork and marble chimney pieces, wood panelled entrance hall and fine carved panelled walls in the Picture Staircase. Thirty-two rooms contain furniture (five 4-poster beds), paintings, armour, china, costumes, Brussels tapestries, one of the 4 original copies of the National Covenant of 1638 and other treasures. Extensive grounds with walks, trails and deer park. 18th century walled garden. Tayside

Blairquhan
½ mile (.8km) south of Kirkmichael, Strathclyde, off B7045, A77. Tel. (0) 1655 770 239. Historic Houses Association.
The turreted ashlar stone mansion, built by William Burn, is approached by a three-mile drive set with an avenue of lime trees along the River Girvan. Elegant entrance hall, picture gallery and furnishings. Walled gardens. Strathclyde

Bowhill
Three miles (5km) west of Selkirk, Borders, off A708 Moffat Rd. Tel. (0) 1750 22204. Historic Houses Association.
Home of the Scots of Buccleuch. Although built earlier, the house, as it stands, dates mainly from 1812 alterations. One of the best art collections of any house in Britain, including Old Master paintings. Elizabeth Montagu, one of England's greatest heiresses lived here. There is a portrait of her by Reynolds and one of her husband by Gainsborough. The house also contains French furniture, tapestries and continental porcelain. A room is dedicated to Sir Walter Scott mementos. Nature trails. Borders

Braemar Castle
½ mile (.8km) east of Braemar, Grampian on A93. Tel. (0) 13397 41219. Historic Houses Association.
Home of the Farquharsons of Invercauld. L plan, brown-harled castle, built in 1628, burned and rebuilt. Round central tower and spiral staircase, barrel-vaulted ceilings, defensive curtain wall, yett (portcullis) and pit prison. Chippendale and Hepplewhite furniture, paintings. A 53 pound uncut cairngorm (semi-precious form of quartz) on display is believed to be the biggest in the world. Grampian

Brodick Castle
On the Isle of Arran. Tel. (0) 1770 302 202. National Trust for Scotland.
Red sandstone castle dates from the 13th century (extended twice) and became the property of the Dukes of Hamilton in 1500's. Silver, porcelain, paintings, fan collection, gilded heraldic ceiling in the drawing room. Victorian garden and outstanding rhododendron garden. Country park. Strathclyde

Brodie Castle
Four miles (6km) west of Forres, Grampian, off A96. Tel. (0) 1309 641 371. National Trust for Scotland.
Originally a Z plan castle of 16th and 17th centuries, rebuilt after being burned. Contains French furniture, 18th century lacquer furniture, porcelain, timepieces and paintings (including Dutch Old Masters.) Dining room has ornate plasterwork ceiling. Woodland walk, wildlife observation hides, wild garden. Grampian

Broughton House
High Street, Kirkcudbright.Dumfries and Galloway. National Trust for Scotland.
18th century townhouse, which belonged to the Murrays of Broughton and Cally. Home of the artist E.A. Hormel from 1901. The house contains a fine collection of antique furniture, an exceptional library and a notable manuscript collection. The garden is the highlight of a visit. Designed by Hormel, it backs onto the Dee estuary. It contains both Scottish and Japanese features and has been recently restored to its former fine state. Dumfries and Galloway

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