|
|
North and West Scottish Highlands - Castles, Cathedrals,
Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
|
|
Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today.
Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites,
re-enactments,
Roman and Norman forts and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
|
 |
 |
|
Here we try to list properties in private ownership but
open to the public (even if only occasionally) as well
as those in the care of the National Trust or
English/Scottish Heritage.
We know that not all the
properties in North and West Scottish Highlands are listed. Please help us
make this guide comprehensive by giving details of
missing attractions
here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
DUNROBIN CASTLE
½ mile (8km)
north of
Golspie, 12
miles north of
Dornoch,
Highland, on A9
Tel: 01408 633177 Fax:
01408 634081
E-mail:
info@dunrobincastle.net
|
A member of the
Historic Houses Association, Dunrobin castle,
home of the Earls of Sutherland, is a
spectacular French style turreted castle with a
keep dating from around 1300 and additions from
17th-19th centuries.
Gives a great picture
of Victorian Scottish living, with fine
furniture and china, paintings and silver on
display.
|
|
 |
Our beautiful formal gardens were modelled after
those at Versailles. As well as the castle
itself we also have a Victorian Museum
located within the gardens which has many
interesting artefacts.
Our Theme Tea Rooms
offer delicious home made meals and snacks
with all produce being sourced locally where
ever possible and is themed around the
magnificent steam fire engine that sits within
the tea-rooms and is dated 1898. We have a Gift
shop offering a range of souvenirs and much
more. Many visitors also enjoy our daily
falconry displays. Both beach and woodland walks
are nearby.
 |
|
We
offer free parking and have disabled access
to the gardens and disabled toilet
facilities. Please feel free to contact us
for further details on opening times. A
fun day out for all the family as we have
truly something for everyone! |
|
|
|
Callanish Standing Stones
On the Isle of Lewis and Harris, off the A858
Web:
www.heritage.scotsman.com
Group of stones forming a circle-one of several
in the area that date from the late Stone Age
and early Bronze Age, over 4000 years old.
Central burial chamber of Neolithic age.
Highland and Islands.
|
|
CAWDOR CASTLE
Nairn, Scotland, IV12 5RD
Tel: 01667 404401
Fax: 01667 404674
E-mail:
info@cawdorcastle.com
Web:
www.cawdorcastle.com
|
Historic Houses
Association. The central tower of the castle,
set amongst beautiful Highland scenery, is a
14th century keep. 17th century wings have been
added. Cawdor is the title promised by
Shakespeare's witches to Macbeth, and legend
makes the castle the place where Duncan was
murdered. |
|
 |
Massive walls and
drawbridge. Original great hall is now the
drawing room. Many fine tapestries including
17th century ones depicting the life of Noah.
17th century four poster bed has original velvet
hangings. Stunning stone fireplaces and antique
furniture. Country park.
|
|
|
Captain Fraser's Folly
On the A87, at Uig on the Isle of Skye
Owned by the Uig Hotel and built in 1870, this
little tower has arched windows and arrowslits.
|
|
Castle Lodge
A9, Thurso, Highlands
Built in 1875 in Gothic Revival style. This
folly is an ornate building with a square block,
tower and turrets.
|
|
Eilean Donan
Dornie, by kyle, IV40 8DX
Tel: 01599 555202 Fax: 01599
555262
Web:
www.eileandonancastle.co.uk
Spectacularly sited castle on an island
(connected by a causeway to the mainland) at the
head of Loch Duich. Parking on mainland, short
walk over causeway to the castle. The castle was
involved in many raids and sieges, reduced to
rubble and authentically reconstructed to its
medieval state in the mid 1900's. Two of the
rooms are open to the public. The billeting room
has 14-foot thick walls and a barrel vaulted
ceiling. The banqueting hall has fine Sheraton
and Chippendale furniture.
|
|
Gates of Negapatam
At Evanton, off the A9, on the B817
Built in 1790. Three battlemented arches with
ruined pillars. Best seen from a distance, as it
is a 40-minute climb to the folly.
|
|
Grey Cairns of Camster
A9 Five miles (8km) North of Lybster by narrow
road with passing places
E-mail:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Round Cairn has 20 ft (6.1km) long entrance
passage (crawl on hands and knees) and chamber.
Larger second cairn is 200 (61km) ft long and 65
ft (20km) wide. Both date from Neolithic period
(4400-2000BC).
|
|
Hill o' Many Stanes
Off the A9 south of Wick
E-mail:
www.megalithic.co.uk
22 rows of small Bronze Age stones in a fan
shape.
|
|
Inverlochy Castle
On the A82, 2 miles (3km) northeast of Fort
William, Highlands
Tel: 0131 668 8600
Web:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Historic Scotland. One of Scotland's earliest
stone castles-13th century-in the form of a
square with round towers at the corners.
|
|
Urquhart Castle
On the A82, on Loch Ness, near Drumnadrochit,
Highlands
Tel: 01456 450 551
E-mail:
hs.urquhart@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Web:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Historic Scotland. Dramatically sited on the
edge of the loch. Dates from 16th century,
includes tower.
|
|
[back to top]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beauly Priory
A862, Beauly, Highlands
Tel: 01667 460232
Web:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Historic Scotland. Open ruin. Priory founded in
1230, ruins date from 13th-16th centuries.
Visited by Mary, Queen of Scots.
|
|
Balnakeil Bay Church
On the A838 at the Bay by Durness, Highlands
Ruined church dating to 8th century. Contains
tomb of Donald MacLeod, responsible for 18
deaths.
|
|
Fearn Abbey
On B9165, Highlands, Easter Ross
This was a religious centre as early as the 5th
century. The Abbey was founded in the 13th
century. The roof collapsed in 1742 and killed
42 people (prophesied in 16th century by a
seer).
|
|
Fortrose Cathedral
A832, Fortrose, Highlands
Tel: 01667 460232
Web:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Historic Scotland. 13th century vaulted
undercroft, parts of nave, monuments and
memorials.
|
|
St. Clement's Church
In township of Rodel, southern tip of island of
Harris, Outer Hebrides
Tel: 0131 668 8600
Web:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Historic Scotland. Carvings and outstanding tomb
of 16th century builder.
|
|
[back to top]
|
|
|
|
|
|
DUNROBIN CASTLE
½ mile (8km)
north of
Golspie, 12
miles north of
Dornoch,
Highland, on A9
Tel: 01408 633177 Fax:
01408 634081
E-mail:
info@dunrobincastle.net
|
A member of the
Historic Houses Association, Dunrobin castle,
home of the Earls of Sutherland, is a
spectacular French style turreted castle with a
keep dating from around 1300 and additions from
17th-19th centuries.
Gives a great picture
of Victorian Scottish living, with fine
furniture and china, paintings and silver on
display.
|
|
|
Our beautiful formal gardens were modelled after
those at Versailles. As well as the castle
itself we also have a Victorian Museum
located within the gardens which has many
interesting artefacts.
Our Theme Tea Rooms
offer delicious home made meals and snacks
with all produce being sourced locally where
ever possible and is themed around the
magnificent steam fire engine that sits within
the tea-rooms and is dated 1898. We have a Gift
shop offering a range of souvenirs and much
more. Many visitors also enjoy our daily
falconry displays. Both beach and woodland walks
are nearby.
|
|
|
We
offer free parking and have disabled access
to the gardens and disabled toilet
facilities. Please feel free to contact us
for further details on opening times. A
fun day out for all the family as we have
truly something for everyone! |
|
|
|
Balmacara Estate and
Lochalsh Woodland Garden
Lochalsh House (NTS), Balmacara, Kyle,
Ross-shire, IV40 8DN
Tel: 01599 566325 Fax:
01599 566359
E-mail:
balmacara@nts.org.uk
Web:
www.nts.org.uk
National Trust for Scotland. A crofting estate
of over 5000 acres with outstanding views. The
garden has sheltered walks beside the shores of
Loch Alsh. Pine, oak and beech trees,
rhododendrons, bamboo, ferns, fuchsias and
hydrangeas.
|
|
CAWDOR CASTLE
Nairn, Scotland, IV12 5RD
Tel: 01667 404401
Fax: 01667 404674
E-mail:
info@cawdorcastle.com
Web:
www.cawdorcastle.com
Historic Houses
Association. The central tower of the castle,
set amongst beautiful Highland scenery, is a
14th century keep. 17th century wings have been
added. Cawdor is the title promised by
Shakespeare's witches to Macbeth, and legend
makes the castle the place where Duncan was
murdered.
Massive walls and
drawbridge. Original great hall is now the
drawing room. Many fine tapestries including
17th century ones depicting the life of Noah.
17th century four poster bed has original velvet
hangings. Stunning stone fireplaces and antique
furniture. Country park.
|
|
|
Inverewe Gardens
Poolewe, Ross-shire, IV22 2LG
Tel: 01445 781200 Fax:
01445 781497
E-mail:
inverewe@nts.org.uk
Web:
www.nts.org.uk
National Trust for Scotland. On the shores of
Loch Ewe. Exotic plants include Himalayan
rhododendrons, Tasmanian eucalypts and South
African, New Zealand and Chilean plants.
|
|
|
New Members required for this section!
To join or recommend an establishment to
us, please
contact Tourist Net UK
|
|
[back
to top] |
|
