Scotland Castles Tourists Should Visit, and Which to Skip, From Local

Although Edinburgh Castle looks impressive perched atop Castle Rock in the center of the city — and it’s particularly pretty when viewed from Princes Street Gardens or the Vennel — I found the inside to be a letdown when I last visited last year.

Because the castle is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions, it felt unpleasantly busy. After waiting in a 20-minute line to see the Crown Jewels, I found the crown, sword, and scepter to be underwhelming.

Plus, anyone hoping to see the Stone of Destiny — upon which monarchs are still crowned — will be disappointed. I was sad to learn that the historic block of sandstone was moved to the Perth Museum in 2024.

I also found very little information on placards about the castle’s history, and I wished I could’ve learned more about what everyday life looked like within its walls. Instead, a military museum makes up a large part of the interior.

Edinburgh’s most direct comparison is probably Stirling Castle, which is about an hour’s drive away.

Stirling Castle also sits on a hill overlooking its city. Every time I’ve visited, though, it’s been less crowded than Edinburgh. I also love that a ticket to Stirling includes a guided tour.

Stirling has an interesting interior, too. The Great Hall — Scotland’s largest medieval banquet hall — has been restored to look as it did during the 1500s.

Other parts of the castle have been even more fully furnished in Renaissance style, including the luxurious queen’s bedchamber and inner hall, which is covered in hand-woven recreations of famed, historic tapestries.

Outside, visitors can admire views of the city and also wander the beautifully manicured Queen Anne Gardens.

Just 20 minutes north of Stirling is my favorite spot: Doune Castle.

Doune is best-known as a filming site in “Outlander,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

Along with its onscreen fame, Doune is fun to explore. Arriving here feels like stepping directly into the medieval period. Time has taken its toll on the fortress, with parts of the masonry having crumbled away — but what remains is well-maintained.

I’m not usually a fan of an audio guide, but Doune Castle’s offering (which is included in the ticket price) is fantastic, with stars from “Outlander” and “Monty Python” lending their voices to it.

Located on the bank of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle was once one of Scotland’s biggest castles.

Though it’s now an open-air ruin, what remains is still incredibly atmospheric, and the site offers beautiful views over the iconic loch.

A little over an hour’s drive from Urquhart and just 15 minutes from the Skye Bridge is Eilean Donan Castle, which was a filming site for “Highlander.”

I wouldn’t recommend this one to history buffs since the interior is mostly modern, but the castle’s setting is absolutely spectacular: It’s surrounded by scenic mountains and built on a small island where three lochs meet.