For many, the lure to Scotland is a lot to do with its turbulent past, and the rugged romance of its landscape and legends. Nothing captures this spirit of Scotland like its castles, so here is a handful of the best, all within an hour from Stirling.

Doune Castle, favoured by film crews the world over

See all of these with an Explorer Pass

Buy an Explorer Pass valid for 5 or 14 consecutive days and visit as many of these properties as you wish within that time – for no additional cost. You can even buy an Explorer Pass in person at the first property you visit. Multiple sites can be visited on any single day. You can visit a specific site only once, and the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh is not included. To buy your Explorer Pass: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/explorer-passes/

Stirling Castle

Perhaps one of Scotland’s most important castles, and one of its largest, Stirling Castle sits majestically on a tall volcanic crag in the heart of the city of Stirling, gazing over to the Wallace monument atop Abbey Craig. The castle’s strategic position overlooking the River Forth has made it a pivotal fortress in Scotland’s history, as gateway to and from the Scottish Highlands. Though its history can be traced back to ancient times, its royal residents greatly expanded the Castle throughout the 1500s adding the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, and Palace. The Castle has been at the centre of Scottish history for centuries, overseeing the Battle of Stirling Bridge, the crowning of Mary Queen of Scots, and the Wars of Independence, to name just a few of its key events. Take a moment to enjoy the view from the battlements over to the Vale of Menteith, the Ochils and the southern Highlands. This is a great source of further info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3944wx. For information on admissions, see:  https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stirling-castle/

Doune Castle

Just eight miles from Stirling, Doune Castle has become the darling of film crews the world over, attracting the makers of Outlander, Game of Thrones, and The Outlaw King, to name just  few. The striking medieval castle was the seat of the Duke of Albany, Scotland’s ‘uncrowned King’ who effectively ruled Scotland from 1388 to 1420. Thereafter, it served as a royal retreat until 1603, when James VI left for London to become James I. Doune Castle’s unique silhouette is characterised by its commanding 100ft high gatehouse, within which you will find the Duke’s Hall, musicians’ gallery, double fireplace and oak carvings. For more detail on this stunning 14th century castle, how to get there, and admission, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/doune-castle/

Edinburgh Castle

Jump on a train to Edinburgh and within the hour, you’ll find your train carriage overshadowed by the imposing presence of Edinburgh Castle. Its place on Edinburgh’s most strategic volcanic crag can be traced back more than 1,000 years, and in the 15th and 16th centuries, was Scotland’s primary royal residence. The Castle holds articles of great national significance, including Britain’s oldest Crown Jewels ‘The Honours of Scotland’, as well as the Stone of Destiny, the ancient Scottish coronation stone, taken by Edward I in 1296 and returned in 1996. Set your watch by the one o’clock gun, and visit Mons Meg, the late medieval siege cannon that glares out over the city from its crag-top battlements. You’ll get unrivalled views across Edinburgh too. For information and admission, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/edinburgh-castle/

Linlithgow Palace

Just 21 miles’ drive will take you to Linlithgow’s 15th century palace. Birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and a refuge for Edinburgh’s brightest students during the Great Plague, Linlithgow Palace is a beguiling place with a fascinating history. Built by the Stewart kings, this was a royal retreat rather than a fortress, offering a tranquil hideaway at a convenient location between the key seats of Stirling and Edinburgh. This commanding loch-side ruin appeared in Outlander, and is also an important haven for wildlife and migratory birds. For details and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/linlithgow-palace/

Blackness Castle

Just 27 miles from Stirling is Blackness Castle, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. Outlander crews used this formidable fortress to depict the Fort William headquarters of Black Jack Randall. Built as a garrison fort and state prison, the austere castle offers expansive views across the Firth of Forth to Fife, as well as Scotland’s celebrated three Forth Bridges – well worth a visit with a pair of binoculars. For information and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/blackness-castle/

Aberdour Castle

Drive just 32 miles from Stirling and you will find Aberdour Castle on the Fife coast. This 12th century castle appears in Outlander as the French monastery Sainte Anne de Beaupré. Arguably the oldest standing stone castle in Scotland, Aberdour also boasts lovingly tended walled gardens and views overlooking the Forth. For more information and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/aberdour-castle-and-gardens/

The view up to the imposing facade of Edinburgh Castle

Photo credits:

• Stirling Castle Great Hall: By Christian Bickel (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons
• Linlithgow Palace: Paul Taylor [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
• Doune Castle: By Wikifan75 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
• Edinburgh Castle: By Ad Meskens (Own work) [Attribution, CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons