Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle is picture perfect, with it's turrets and elaborate gardens. If you can only visit one castle in your life, make it this one. Nothing else will compare. It's my favorite, so far...
The castle looms 5 stories high on top of a cliff. It has 189 rooms. You can go inside about 20 of them. The Seamstress's Room is reported to be haunted. The library has over 10,000 books, some dating back to the 17th century. Some books include original Scottish law, which is very rare, as they were all burned. The Duke's Study has a secret door. The green and gold suite was designed specifically for Queen Victoria's 5-day visit in 1842.
Please design me a room in purple and black, and I'd like a secret door to a library with rare books, thanks.
The best part of the castle is its gardens. The ambiance outside, with the castle in the background, is just indescribable. We spent hours out there. You half expect to see dragons flying around.
I didn't see any dragons but I did see falcons! I saw many birds of prey tethered on the grounds but they are let loose every morning. Time your visit so that you can watch the twice daily falconry display. It's wild.
To get to Dunrobin, we had to leave our hotel in Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, at 5:45am to check-in for the ferry to Ullapool. The ferry was more crowded and less comfortable than the last ferry we took from the Isle of Skye.
It was a brutal morning, but at least we didn't have to drive. The ferry took almost 3 hours. Then we drove another 2 hours on a narrow road to reach Dunrobin Castle.
But wow! It's the most impressive castle I've ever been too. It really looks like a fairytale. The ferry ride and hassle were all worth it.
Falcons
The Seamstress Room, dates back to the 1300's, it displays the Duke & Duchesses coronation robes.
Library
Queen Victoria's Suite
The Duke's Study.
See the doorknob above the chair on the right?
There's a staircase behind there, providing access to all levels of the castle, and straight up to his wife's rooms.
From Dunrobin, we headed south to Inverness for the night. We spent the night at the Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel, on the banks of the River Ness. After our long day, we ordered food & drinks out on the tables over looking the river, then called it a night.
In the morning, we made our way to Loch Ness!
On to Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness>>
More Scottish Sites:
Edinburgh, Scotland
I love Edinburgh's medieval Old Town with it's castle looming over the city. It's such a cool city to explore.
Scotland
Scotland Home Page
Temple Old Kirk
Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village outside of Edinburgh. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland.
Rosslyn Chapel
Medieval Rosslyn Chapel was made famous for being featured in the The Da Vinci Code. It's intricate carvings are associated with many legends and secrets.
Royal Military Tattoo
Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo is an event worthy of your bucket list. It's a unique performance from military bands across the globe and of course bagpipers!
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a haunted graveyard best known for providing inspiration for Harry Potter characters.
St. Cuthbert's Cemetery
St. Cuthbert's cemetery is another one of Edinburgh's cool old cemeteries. The oldest headstone is dated 1606. It has great views of the castle.
Dean Village & Cemetery
Dean Village is a gem worth exploring. Dean Cemetery is a Victorian era graveyard with grand monuments and old trees making it one of my favorite cemeteries.
Drummond Castle
The gardens of Drummond Castle are spectacular. They were filmed in Outlander as a stand in for the Palace of Versailles.
Killin
An unexpected detour on our road trip around Scotland led us to the picturesque village of Killin.
Clachaig Inn
The Clachaig Inn, located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, was where we spent the first night of our road trip around Scotland. The grounds are stunning. Hagrid's Hut was built across the highway.
Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most photographed castle. It's been in several films. It's a must stop on the way to Skye.
Isle of Skye
Visiting the Isle of Skye was on my bucket list. It was everything I wanted it to be. Mossy and magical. So green and lush. Water cascading everywhere. It feels like a fairy place. I'm a fan.
Isle of Lewis & Harris
The Isle of Lewis & Harris is home to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and stunning Caribbean looking beaches.
Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle overlooks Scotland's famed Loch Ness. Explore the castle ruins while keeping an eye out for Nessie.
Elgin Cathedral
Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is an impressive 800 year old, Medieval ruin. It was once Scotland's second largest cathedral.
Castle Fraser
Castle Fraser is one of Scotland's largest tower houses. There are numerous furnished rooms accessed by climbing the narrow turret stairs.
Ardoe House
I loved Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, so much, it felt like I was staying in a castle. It was so fun! It's almost its own attraction, complete with it's own highland coos.
Dunnottar Castle
Dunnottar Castle, is a medieval fortress, perched atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Although it's now a ruin, it's location makes it highly photogenic.
