Castles & Gardens

Scottish Castles are renowned for their charming and rugged beauty. Here in the Highlands our coastal and inland landscape is brimming with ruins and ancient castles with mesmerising gardens, steeped in history and romance. 

Many iconic Scottish castles can be found close to Brora. If you wish to explore any, please speak to a member of our team for details.

Dunrobin Castle

Located five miles south of Brora and just a ten-minute drive along the coast, you will find Dunrobin Castle. The Castle is a stately home in Sutherland, and the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland. 

Perched on a high terrace above walled gardens, Dunrobin Castle, with magical spires and turrets, rises above the North Sea, whilst the Sutherland Monument atop Ben Bhraggie towers above the Castle and the nearby village of Golspie. Like a scene from an enchanted fairytale, this beautiful Scottish castle is a great family day out.

Castle of Mey, Caithness

The Castle of Mey is located about six miles west of John o’ Groats in the village of Mey, near Thurso in Caithness. The most northerly Scottish castle once belonged to the Queen’s Mother who renovated and restored the castle, and its beautiful gardens, to the condition they’re in today. Indeed, as an enthusiast of the Highlands, the late Queen Mother spent many happy summer's here and shorter visits at other times of the year. 

Clearly, she wasn’t the only fan, as the Castle and Gardens of Mey have held Visit Scotland's 5 Star quality assurance grading every year since 2007. The gardens consist of the Walled Garden and the East Garden with a woodland area. On a clear day there are views across the crashing sea to the Orkney Islands.

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle is one of the most picturesque Highland Castles, located between Inverness and Fort William. 

Settled on the banks of Loch Ness beside the village of Drumnadrochit, it boasts some of the best views of the loch. And as one of the most popular spots for reported sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, be sure to be on the lookout for the legendary Nessie.

Cawdor Castle, Inverness

Set in Cawdor village, Cawdor Castle was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor in the late 14th century and it is still home to the Cawdor family. Indeed, much of the original structure still stands today, including the ancient medieval tower built around the legendary holly tree. 

Steeped in mystery and history, the castle has evolved over 600 years and has been lovingly filled with beautiful furniture, fine portraits, intriguing objects and amazing tapestries.

Inverewe Gardens, Poolewe

Admire the change in landscape as you venture out for the day to the beautiful west coast of Scotland to visit Inverewe Gardens, a stunning 54 acre Highland garden that is encircled by mountains, moorland and sea loch. 

Created by Osgood Mackenzie in the late 19th century, the gardens will momentarily transport you out of Scotland as you wander through the abundance of exotic plants - from Australian tree ferns to Chinese rhododendrons to South African bulbs. Recent plantings include a grove of Wollemi pines and other 'fossil' trees.

Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh

Surrounded by breathtaking scenery at the meeting point of three sea lochs, Eilean Donan is celebrated as one of the most beautiful Scottish castles. Nestled on the main tourist route to Isle of Skye, it is no wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands. 

Hailed as one of the most romantic castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan has a vast and varied history. Evidence suggests that the land was inhabited around the 6th century. However, the first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century where it then stood guard over the lands of Kintail. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and rebuilt as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries.