Scottish Castles
Scotland is known for its sweeping landscapes: heather-covered mountains, serene lochs dotted with verdant isles, and rugged ocean coastlines. Spectacular castles punctuate this beautiful land, bearing the heritage of its turbulent history. CIE Tours vacations visit these special repositories of history and heritage on their trips to Scotland – here are just a few:
Urquhart Castle
Now in a state of glorious ruin, Urquhurt Castle was once Scotland’s largest castle. Perched on cliffs overlooking Loch Ness, fortifications at Urquhurt date back to the Iron Age, but the present castle was erected in the late Middle Ages. For centuries it played a leading role in the Wars of Scottish Independence. Today the castle is treasured both for its past and for the beauty it lends to the landscape. Visit Urquhurt on Scottish Clans & Castles and Scottish Isles & Glens.
Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye is Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle – and this lakeside structure has been the ancestral home of the MacLeod family for 800 years. There are many treasured artefacts and antiques behind the battlements, but the most storied is the Fairy Flag, which legend says was provided to the Clan MacLeod by fairies. When this banner is unfurled, it guarantees victory for the clan in battle. Visit Dunvegan Castle on Scottish Clans & Castles and Scottish Isles and Glens.
Glamis Castle is the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth – and that’s only the start of the captivating stories associated with this millennia-old castle. It was the childhood home of the late Queen Mother, and has been home to the Lyon Family since the 14th century. Visit Glamis Castle on Scottish Dream, Scottish and Irish Dream, and Scottish and Irish Gold.
Edinburgh Castle
The imposing Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on volcanic rock, was long the home of king and queens such as Queen Margaret, Mary Queen of Scots, and James VII. Today, it houses Scotland’s crown jewels – including a crown first worn for a coronation in 1540 and a scepter presented to James IV by Pope Alexander VI in 1494. All CIE Tours to Scotland visit Edinburgh Castle.
Learn more about CIE Tours’ castle-hopping tours by contacting a AAA Travel Agent today.
