Castles & Historic Houses

Steep yourself in history and visit one of the many well known castles in the area, all within one hours drive away.

Braemar Castle, Braemar – Hear stories of the colourful characters associated with the castle, find out how Clan Farquharson began and discover the part played by Braemar Castle in the story of Scotland. Only 9 miles from Balmoral Castle, take time to visit both and enjoy the different experience each has to offer.

Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside — Set in Royal Deeside, the estate was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848 and has been the Scottish home of the British Royal Family ever since. The castle grounds are closed to the public in August, September and October as The Royal Family are in residence.

Blair Castle, Blair Atholl — The ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Unique amongst Scottish castles, the story told here will take you from a visit by Mary Queen of Scots to the Civil War, and from the Jacobite cause to the disaster of Culloden following Bonnie Prince Charlie’s own stay in the castle.

Glamis Castle, Glamis — Childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Birthplace of HRH The Princess Margaret and the setting for Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’.

Scone Palace, Perth —Fifteen hundred years ago it was the capital of the Picts. In the intervening centuries, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, including Macbeth and Robert The Bruce.

Glenshee has its own history and has been traversed by travellers from Kings & Queens to the humblest of subjects.

The glen was also a common thoroughfare and target for Caterans or raiders coming over the mountains. In 1602 the largest raid took place with 500 Caterans stealing 2000 head of cattle. The Battle of the Cairnwell was subsequently fought when the locals decided to recover their property by force. It was said every household lost at least one or two family members.

Sites local to Glenshee, include the Glenshee Kirk and Standing Stone, historic Arch Bridge and the site of the Battle of Cairnwell.