THE BEST CASTLES IN WEST SCOTLAND

From North to South, Eilean Donan castle, Urquhart castle, by Loch ness, down to Inverlochy castle and Stalker castle on Loch Linnhe, on to Dunstaffnage castle and Dunollie castle both near Oban, Duart castle on Mull. Three castles on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, Mingary castle, Tioram castle and Ardtornish castle

These are some of the finest medieval castles in the Highlands of West Scotland. Most of the Scotland castles date from before 13th century, and were once built in wood, at the time of the Vikings raids.

Everyone photographs Edinburgh castle, with all its gift shops for tourists but the essence of Scotland is to be found in medieval castles such as Dunstaffnage castle, near Oban, or its neighbour Dunollie castle.

Inverlochy castle is right beside the Highland town of Fort William.

Castle Urquhart towers above Loch Ness and a long way to the North of it lies Eilean Donan Castle.

Gillian and I love, in particular, the remote Tioram castle in Moidart. Its neighbour is Mingary castle in Ardnamurchan. Ardtornish castle is by the Lochaline ferry to Mull.

On the island of Mull a short ferry crossing from Oban is Duart castle. The nearest castle to our cottage is 20 minutes away, one of the most photographed in Scotland, Castle Stalker.

Click on the page links to each of the West of Scotland castles for some of its story.