Highland castles itinerary

Start your adventure at these three inspiring castles in and around Scotland's most northerly city, Inverness. Begin your day on the shores of Loch Ness, where the dramatic ruins of one of Scotland's most iconic castles overlook the dark waters of the loch. Continue east through the Highland countryside to uncover centuries of history before returning to Inverness for a relaxing evening. 

• Urquhart Castle – located on the banks of the famous Loch Ness, it has witnessed some of the most tumultuous chapters in Scotland’s past where clan rivalries saw bloody raids carried out in the 15th and 16th centuries. You might even spot the elusive Nessie, Loch Ness’s most famous resident.  

• Cawdor Castle – filled with history, mystery and legend, this fairytale castle is often linked to Shakespeare's Macbeth through the title of the Thane of Cawdor. Lose yourself in elegant rooms, beautiful gardens and the old kitchen, where original features including a roasting spit, ice box and butter churn offer a glimpse into life centuries ago. 

• Brodie Castle – the ancestral home of Clan Brodie, this grand castle is packed with antiques, fine artwork and lavish interiors. It's also linked to Shakespeare's Macbeth, standing near the site where Macbeth is said to have encountered the Weird Sisters. Wander through its richly decorated rooms and you’llfind yourself wishing you could stay a little longer.

If you take anything away from your first day, it’ll be the knowledge that no two castles are alike! Stand atop windswept battlements where soldiers once kept watch over the Moray Firth, then explore grand halls and extensive gardens that feel as though they've been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. 

• Fort George – built in 1746, it is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain and was used as the ultimate defence against the Jacobite rising. This impressive site is packed with cannons, muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition. Stroll the battlements, feel the sea breeze rolling in from the Moray Firth, and imagine the daily lives of the soldiers who once called this formidable stronghold home. 

• Dunrobin Castle – with its fairytale towers and turrets rising above the treetops, Dunrobin looks more like a French château than a Highland fortress. Step inside to discover lavish rooms filled with fine furnishings and treasures, then stroll through manicured gardens that stretch towards the coastline. With 189 rooms and centuries of stories hidden within its walls, it's easy to see why visitors find the castle so enchanting. Some even say its ghostly resident still lingers in the corridors after dark...  

Leave Inverness behind and journey west through some of the Highlands' most spectacular scenery, where you’ll find sparkling lochs and winding roads leading to ancient castles. En route to the Isle of Skye, stop at one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks, Eilean Donan Castle, before settling into the colourful harbour town of Portree for the night. 

• Eilean Donan Castle – rising from a small tidal island where three sea lochs meet, Eilean Donan is one of Scotland's most recognisable and photographed sights. Cross its stone bridge and step inside to uncover period furnishings, Jacobite artefacts, weapons and fine art. As you adventure through its historic rooms, uncover stories of the fierce battles and dramatic events that shaped this corner of the Highlands. 

• Portree – framed by rugged hills and a picturesque natural harbour, Portree is the heart of Skye. Watch fishing boats out at sea, browse independent shops, and enjoy fresh local produce in one of its welcoming cafés or restaurants. If time allows, visit the Isle of Skye Candle Company Visitor Centre to browse handcrafted candles, soaps and skincare products inspired by the island's landscapes and made by local artisans. Remember to book accommodation well in advance, particularly during the busy summer months.

Finish off your Highland castle adventure on the Isle of Skye, where centuries of clan history, legends and intrigue come to light. Discover the stories of two of Scotland's most famous clans before taking time to explore more of the island's coastline, otherworldly rock formations and spectacular walking trails. 

• Dunvegan Castle – this remarkable castle has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, making it the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Wander through rooms filled with treasured heirlooms and clan artefacts, then step outside to explore colourful gardens bursting with seasonal blooms. For a different perspective, take a boat trip across the loch and enjoy a seal's-eye view of the castle. 

• Armadale Castle – although the castle itself now stands as a romantic ruin, its atmospheric setting tells the story of the powerful Clan Donald, once known as the Lords of the Isles. Follow peaceful woodland trails beneath towering trees, stroll through restored historic gardens, and uncover centuries of Highland history at the nearby museum. You might even find a family connection of your own as you delve into one of Scotland's most famous clans.