Scottish Castles Association

Stonelaw Tower (Lanarkshire) - Past & Present

Stonelaw stood on the boundary of Rutherglen and Burnside in Lanarkshire.

Baltersan Castle (Ayr) - Past & Present

This 16th century tower house stands near the town of Maybole and overlooks the 13th century Abbey of Crossraguel.

Rais Tower (Renfrewshire) - Past & Present

The Tower of Rais, also known as 'Stewart’s Rais', was built in the reign of James II and stood on a bank above the Levern Water. It was recorded as being 'square in form with very thick walls'.

Newbyres Castle (Mid-Lothian) - Past & Present

The fragmentary remains of Newbyres Castle. This 16 th century L-plan tower house stands in an open space at Gorebridge, Mid-Lothian.

Portencross Castle (Ayr) Past & Present

Portencross is a castle that resisted attempts to find it a buyer. It stands above a small rock harbour near to the coastal town of Saltcoats and dates from the 14th century with later additions.

Ballone Castle (Ross-shire) - Past & Present

Spectacularly situated on the cliff tops near Tain, Ballone is a Z-plan castle of the late 16th century. It has been a superb example of its type with square and round towers flanking the main block.

Torthornwald Castle (Dumfries) - Past & Present

Torthornwald Castle is situated in the village of that name in Dumfriesshire and is unusual in many respects.

Timpendean Tower (Roxburgh) - Past & Present

This little 16th century tower is beautifully situated a short walk from Jedburgh. It stands amid earthworks of an obviously earlier date.

Eilean Donan (Wester Ross) - Past & Present

Eilean Donan Castle owes its appearance to an almost total rebuilding last century.

Carrick Castle (Argyll) - Past & Present

This early 15th century castle is built on a rock jutting into Loch Goil. A stronghold of the Clan Campbell it was bombarded by HMS Kingfisher in 1685 during 'Argyll's Rebellion' resulting in much damage.

Terpersie Castle (Aberdeenshire) - Past & Present

Dating from 1561 Terpersie is an A listed Z plan castle on 3 floors surrounded by beautifully maintained garden, situated near Alford.

Boyne Castle (Banff) - Past & Present

Boyne Castle is situated near the town of Portsoy and was built between the years 1575-1580.

Dundonald Castle (Ayrshire) - Past & Present

Dundonald, Ayrshire much tidied up by the Office of Works from its appearance at the end of the 19th century.

Hatton Castle (Angus) - Past & Present

Built in 1575 on the Z-plan, Hatton comprises an oblong block with a square tower at each of the NE and SW angles; there is a circular turret in the re-entrant angle of the NE tower.

Boghall Castle (Lanarkshire) - Past & Present

Boghall Castle, Lanarkshire 1870 (it collapsed shortly afterwards) and now. The ruins were conserved after the collapse - a little too late ...

Fa'side Castle (East Lothian) - Past & Present

Originally a 15th century tower of 4 four storeys of which the topmost was vaulted. Fa'side suffered badly at the Battle of Pinkie (1547) after which it was enlarged.

Carnock House (Airth, Stirling) - Past & Present

This is a real find - a real treasure! Carnock House was a mid 16th century elongated tower house with two stair turrets on the entrance side.

Almond Castle (Stirlingshire) - Past & Present

Situated between Falkirk and Lithgow Almond Castle is an early 15th L-shaped tower vaulted on lower and upper floors with walls 7 feet thick.

Carnwath Motte (Lanark) - Past & Present

Carnwath Church was built by William de Somerville before 1165 on which date he gifted it to Glasgow.

Stonebyres Castle (Lanarkshire) - Past & Present

Stonebyres Castle, Lanarkshire. A imposing 15th century castle of a stretched plan built above a ravine and much added to in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Castlemilk Castle (Lanarkshire) - Past & Present

Castlemilk Castle, Lanarkshire was an oblong tower house of the 15th century occupying a prominent position with extensive views across the Clyde Valley.

Dairsie Castle (Fife) - Past & Present

Dairsie Castle was a shattered ruin of a 16th century castle consisting of an oblong main block with circular towers at diagonally opposite angles. In 1996 it was fully restored.

Forter Castle (Angus) - Past & Present

Forter, a late 16th century tower house, was until recently abandoned and ruined. However in 1988, for the sum of £15,000, it was purchased and restored in the astonishing time of 2 years.

Auchans Castle (Ayr) - Past & Present

Classed as 'Category A' Charles McKean considers Auchans as amongst the premier 'chateaux' in Scotland.

Barcaldine Castle (Argyll) - Past & Present

Barcaldine Castle was built between 1601 and 1608 and is an excellent example of a vaulted, L shaped tower of the period.

Eliock House (Dumfries) - Past & Present

Much altered 17th C house incorporating a vaulted, gun looped 16th c tower house. This wing (that hidden by the trees) is now semi-ruinous due to fire damage.

Gilbertfield Tower (Lanark) - Past & Present

On the north side of Dechmont Hill, near Cambuslang, stands the house of Gilbertfield, with a panel dating it 1607.

Pitfichie Castle (Aberdeen) - Past & Present

Pitfichie Castle consists of a rectangular block dominated by a circular angle tower dating 1560-70.

Wallace's House (Renfrewshire) - Past & Present

Local tradition has long pointed out this house as the birthplace of William Wallace though what we see is a vaulted, steep pitched, crow stepped building of the late 16th C.

Wallace's Tower (Aberdeen) - Past & Present

More correctly known as Benholm's Tower this small Z plan tower of around 1600 originally stood outside the Aberdeen city boundary. Moved brick by brick to make way for a shopping centre.

Inverugie Castle (Aberdeenshire) - Past & Present

Inverugie Castle was an exceptionally fine, late 16th century tower house consisting of an oblong main block with two round towers.

Cruggleton Castle (Wigtown) - Past & Present

This 13th C coastal castle occupies a dramatic cliff-top position near Garlieston. Its extensive site was excavated within recent years and a complex history revealed.

Fenton Tower - (East Lothian) - Past & Present

This 16th C tower house near North Berwick was long in ruin until its restoration in 1998.

Earlstoun Castle (Kirkcudbright) - Past & Present

Earlstoun Castle is a typical laird's house of the late 16th or early 17th C. It is L-planned of 3 storeys and a garret with an attached courtyard.

Royston Castle (Edinburgh) - Past & Present

Royston Castle, also known as Granton Castle, was a late 16th C L-plan tower house, altered and added to in the following century.

Hallyards Castle (West Lothian) - Past & Present

Hallyards Castle was a mid-17th C mansion with crow stepped gables and a stair turret projecting from one side. One of the corners was cut away in a curious fashion. A date above a window reads 1630.

Sorbie Tower (Wigtown) - Past & Present

A handsome, well built L-plan tower of the late 16th century situated between Wigtown and Whithorn in the Machars.

Stoneypath Tower (East Lothian) Past & Present

Stoneypath Tower has been rescued from collapse and now forms an attractive dwelling house. Situated near Haddington it is an L-plan tower house of the 15th C with walls 9 feet thick at ground level.

Towie Barclay (Aberdeenshire) - Past & Present

A mid 16th century L-plan tower located near Turiff in Aberdeenshire. In 1792 the building lost its upper two storeys much to the detriment of its appearance.

Place of Kilbirnie (Ayrshire) - Past & Present

Kilbirnie Castle (or Place of Kilbirnie) is situated in North Ayrshire between the towns of Beith and Largs.

Strathaven Castle (Lanarkshire) - Past & Present

Strathaven Castle is 70 feet in length with a round tower, 4 storeys high, and a projecting wing at the rear.

Carnousie Castle (Banffshire) - Past & Present

Carnousie Castle stands to the NE of Huntly. The house is a perfect example of a Z-plan castle with alternate round and square towers.

Law Castle (Ayrshire) - Past & Present

Law Castle is situated above the town of West Kilbride in Ayrshire. Built about 1468 it consists of a tall, oblong tower house of 4 storeys and parapet projecting on continuous corbelling.

Birse Castle (Aberdeenshire) - Past & Present

Situated in a remote part of Aberdeenshire Birse was a small, rubble built, harled tower house with label moulded corbels and a large circular tower corbelled to the square.

Cathcart Castle (Glasgow) Past & Present

This is what happens when a castle comes under the care of Glasgow. Cathcart was a massive tower house of the early 15th century surrounded by a curtain wall equipped with round towers.

Torwood Castle (Stirling) Past & Present

Torwood Castle stands high on its wooded hilltop near Stirling. It is a 3-4 storey L-plan tower with a cobbled courtyard enclosed on 3 sides by buildings including a gate house of which the latter is much reduced.

Kilmartin Castle (Argyll) Past & Present

Kilmartin Castle stands in the village of that name in Argyll. It consists of a low, 16th century Z-plan tower house of random rubble (originally harled).

Craigie Castle (Ayrshire) Past & Present

Craigie Castle stands near the the town of Symington with its 12th century church.

Cavers House (Roxburgh) Past & Present

Cavers House (built between 1750 and 1884) was demolished in 1953 but the lofty tower house which formed its nucleus was allowed to remain, albeit as a roofless ruin.

Hillslap Tower (Roxburgh) Past & Present

Hillslap is situated in the Scottish Borders near to Melrose. A lintel date gives its building as 1585. It is L-plan tower house of 4 storeys with one wing rising higher.

Inverquharity Castle (Angus) Past & Present

Inverquharity Castle is an L-plan tower-house of the 15th century. The E wing was demolished before 1884 leaving an ugly scar but the rest of the castle remained in a good state until restoration in 1970.

Kelburn Castle (Ayr) Past & Present

Kelburn is situated above the town of Largs on the Ayrshire coast is now a Country Centre and open to the public.

Sauchie Tower (Clackmannan) Past & Present

Sauchie Tower is a well-built tower house of the 15th century standing some 55 feet high with walls 6 feet thick. It comprises of 4 floors with entresol and is topped by a broad, corbelled parapet with rounds.

Mains Castle (East Kilbride) Past & Present

Mains Castle, stands near the town of East Kilbride in Lanarkshire and dates from the late 15th century. The masonry is of good quality ashlar and rises 3 storeys to a corbelled parapet.

Buckholm Tower Part 1 (Roxburgh) Past & Present

Buckholm stands high on the slopes outside the border town of Galashiels. In 1547 Buckholm was ‘treasonably held for the English’ but by 1582 it was in the possession of John Pringle.

Tinnis Castle (Peebles) Past & Present

Tinnis Castle stands within an Iron Age fort high on a hill near Drumelzier. The site is spectacular though the remains are scant.

Braemar Castle (Aberdeen) Past & Present

Braemar Castle stands in the town of that name on Royal Deeside. It is a 5-storied L-plan tower house with a circular tower in the re-entrant.

Dunskey Castle (Wigtown) Past & Present

Dunskey is dramatically situated high on the cliffs above the Irish Sea at Port Patrick. It consists of a 16th century L-plan tower house with a square stair tower in the re-entrant.

Thomaston Castle (Ayr) Past & Present

Thomaston is situated near the famous castle of Culzean on the Ayrshire coast. It is a handsome elongated L-plan tower house with a square tower at the re-entrant.

Newark Castle (Fife) Past & Present

Newark stands high on the coast near the fishing port of St Monans. Dating from the 15th century and extended in the 16th it was heightened and Dutch gables were added in the late 17th.

Ailsa Castle (Ayr) Past & Present

Ailsa Castle is perilously situated on a shoulder of rock projecting from the precipitous slopes on the island of Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde.

Corgarff Castle (Aberdeenshire) Past & Present

Corgarff stands on a height near the head of Strathdon on the road to Tomintoull. It belongs to the early part of the 16th century but was rebuilt after its destruction in 1581.

Ballinbreich Castle (Fife) Past & Present

Situated on the coast near Newburgh this 14th century castle is in a bad state of repair. It originally consisted of a tower to which additions were made in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Benholm Tower (Kincardine) Past & Present

Benholm provides an example of what can happen if restoration becomes entangled in red tape.

Busbie Castle (Ayr) Past & Present

Situated near Kilmarnock Busbie was an unusually handsome tower house with some exceptionally fine detailing.

Drumcoltran Tower (Kirkcudbright) - Past and present

Drumcoltran Tower is a plain 16th century rubble built L-plan tower with a vaulted basement rising to a parapet born upon individual corbels.

Edinample Castle (Perth) Past & Present

Situated on Lochearnhead, near Comrie, Edinample is a late 16th century Z-planned castle incorporating an earlier tower.

Ravenstone Castle (Wigtown) Past & Present

Situated in the Machars, Ravenstone is late 16th century L-plan tower house extended in the 17th, again in 18th with a full height, double bowed front and finally with large Victorian wing.

Castlewigg (Wigtown) Past & Present

Situated about 3 miles NW of Whithorn, Castlewigg presents a sorry state. A panel dates this L-plan tower house to 1595 and vaulting, together with a gun loop, supports the fact.

Lochnaw Castle (Wigtown) Past & Present

The 16th century tower of Lochnaw is beautifully situated on the loch of that name near Stranraer. A wing with steeply pitched roof (originally thatched) was added in 1663 followed by yet another in 1704.

Cassencarie House (Kirkcudbright) Past & Present

Situated on Luce Bay is this multi period site. The oldest part is a L-plan tower of the late 16th century distinguishable by its window mouldings

Mar's Work (Stirling) Past & Present

This beautiful and accomplished 16th century lodging is situated nearby Stirling Castle. Built by the Regent Mar it is closely modeled on the palace of James V in that castle.

Castle of Park (Wigtown) Past & Present

A 16th century L-plan tower of 4 storeys and a garret to which wings were added to in the 18th century converting the tower into a country house.

St John's Tower (Wigtown) Past & Present

This 16th century tower stands in the town of Stranraer close to the shore. In the 19th century lacking a 'lock up' the tower was converted into the town jail with cells for fellons and debtors.

Redcastle (Ross) Past & Present

Redcastle is situated at the end of a steep sided promontory and occupies the site of a much older structure. The remains indicate an L-plan tower house of the 16th century with additions of 1840.

Clackmanan Tower (Clackmanan) Past & Present

Clackmannan Tower is situated on a prominent ridge about 2 miles from Alloa and is visible for miles around. Rather surprisingly for such a high and exposed location there were once terraces and gardens.

Macduff's Castle (Fife) Past & Present

This castle is situated above the shore in the town of East Wemyss, Fife. Built of the local red stand stone it has weathered badly. Below the castle are the famous caves with their Pictish carvings.

Craighlaw Castle (Wigtown) Past & Present

Situated near the town of Kirkcowan in the Machars, Craighlaw is a much altered 16th century tower which once was down to its first floor level.

Kilhenzie Castle (Ayr) - Past and Present

At first glance a typical 16th century tower... but Kilhenzie Castle demands a second look.

Buckholm Tower Part 2 (Roxburgh) Past & Present

This fine tower house of the 16th century stands upon the hillside above the town of Galashiels. A century ago it was intact but since then it has sadly ruined.

Fairburn Tower (Ross) Past and Present

Fairburn Tower, a roofless 16th century tower house, is situated at Muir of Ord in Ross. It consists of an oblong tower to which a four storey stair tower was added in the 17th century.

Dunure Castle (Ayr) Past & Present

Situated above the sea near to Ayr, Dunure is a splendid medieval ruin dating from the 14th century and later. Abandoned (or slighted) after the Civil War .

Finlarig Castle (Perth) Past & Present

Finlarig Castle stands, hidden by trees, on a mound just outside the village of Killin in Perthshire. It is in a dangerous state and totally uncared for.

Lochhouse Tower (Dumfries) Past & Present

Lochhouse is a little 16th century border tower and stands very near the town of Moffat. Rubble built, it rises from a vaulted basement to the corbels that once supported a parapet and gunloops are evident.

Ravenscraig Castle (Fife) Past & Present

This massive castle, designed to withstand cannon, overlooks the Firth of Forth near Kirkcaldy. Long in ruin it was taken over by Historic Scotland in the 1970s.

Borthwick Castle (Lothian) Past & Present

This is, by far, the finest tower house in Scotland. Built of ashlar in the 15th century it rises high to a machicolated parapet. It is surrounded by an outer wall punctuated by towers.

Carsluith Tower (Kirkcudbright) Past & Present

This delightful little L-plan 16th century tower house is situated overlooking Luce Bay. It is within sight of Barholm Tower high on the hill behind.

Stenhouse (Stirling) Past & Lost

Stenhouse was a most attractive tower house stood just outside the town of Stenhousemuir. Though at first sight it appears to be the one building the part to the right was built in 1836.

Kenmure Castle (Kirkcudbright) Past & Present

The roofless shell of Kenmure Castle stands high above a marsh at New Galloway. Originally a enclosure castle of the 13th century it was added to and altered over the years.

Cessford Castle (Roxburgh) Past & Present

Cessford Castle stands on a hill top near Morebattle and forms a prominent landmark. A 15th century L-plan border fortress with walls 14 feet thick this castle had an eventful history.

Old Sauchie (Stirling) Past & Present

This attractive little 16th century L-plan tower house near Bannockburn was a mere shell until it was purchased and splendidly restored by a SCA member.

Gight Castle (Aberdeen) Past & Present

Situated near Pitmedden Gight is a 16th century L-plan tower with ranges of later outbuildings. It stands isolated on a steep slope above the River Ythan amidst the remains of once splendid gardens.

Dryhope Tower (Selkirk) Past & Present

Situated in the isolated border country above St Mary’s Loch, Dryhope is a stout little 16th century tower house once surrounded by a barmkin.

Balvenie Castle (Moray) Past & Present

This exceptional castle, which dates from the 13th to 16th centuries, is situated near Dufftown.

Barr Castle (Renfrew) Past & Present

Barr Castle stands on a ridge with wide views over Lochwinnoch and near the village of that name. It it a notable landmark for travelers though difficult to find a place to park! It is an early 16th century tower.

Aldbar Castle (Angus) Past & Lost

This Category B Listed building stood some 2 miles west of the town of Brechin. It was a massive tower house of 1540 built by Sir Thomas Lyon and reckoned a place of some strength.

Herbertshire Castle (Stirling) Past & Lost

This great L-plan tower house stood on elevated ground above the River Carron at Dunipace and formed a landmark for miles around. It appears to have dated from the 16th century.

Ochiltree House (Ayr) Past & Lost

Ochiltree House stood in the village of that name in Ayrshire. It is not to be confused with the Ochiltree in Lothian. It was a plain building, 3 storeys high with crow stepped gables and a slate roof.

Monklands House (Lanark) Past & Lost

Monklands House lay in a glen below Monkland's Bridge in Airdrie. This splendid Renaissance Palace was built by Sir James Clelland of Monklands and was surrounded by gardens and policy woodlands.

Towie Castle (Aberdeen) Past & Lost

Towie Castle stood on the banks of the River Don, near the parish church of Towie.

Ardmillan Castle (Ayr) Past & Lost

Ardmillan Castle was a notable landmark on a hill overlooking the Irish Sea 3 miles south of the harbour town of Girvan.

Craighall Castle (Fife) Past & Lost

Craighall Castle was situated near to the town of Cupar in Fife. It was a multi period building. The early tower house was built by Sir Thomas Hope in 1637.

Elphinstone Tower (Gorbals) Past & Lost

Elphinstone stood in the village of Gorbals on the south side of the River Clyde. The Citizen’s Theatre now occupies the site.

Niddrie House (Lothian) Past & Lost

Niddrie stood some 3 miles south-east from the GPO in Edinburgh. It was a ‘stately widespread structure, greatly altered and added to in the course of time’.

Gilkerscleuch (Lanark) Past & Present

Gilkerscleuch stood among the hills near to Crawfordjohn in rural Lanarkshire and was a building of some beauty.

Jerviston Tower (Lanark) Past & Lost

Jerviston Tower was situated on the banks of the Clyde about one mile north of Motherwell deep in industrial Lanarkshire.

Bothwell Castle (Lothian) Past & Lost

Bothwell Castle stood in the town of Haddington and was a late 16th/early 17th century building with projecting wings forming a courtyard towards the river and a round tower facing the street.

Fingask Castle (Perth) Past and Present

Fingask was a L-plan tower house of the late 16th century; extended in 1674 and remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries. These additions were removed in 1925 when the castle took its present aspect.

Ardvreck Castle (Sutherland) Past & Present

Ardvreck Castle is one of the most remote castles in Scotland and forms an iconic image in a treeless landscape. It is infamous through the treachery of its owner.

Stirling Castle Great Hall - Past & Present

The Great Hall at Stirling Castle was built by James IV around 1503. It served as the focal point for royal celebrations until it fell into disuse in the late 17th century.

Crookston Castle (Renfrew) Past & Present

Crookston stands high on a hill within the housing scheme of Pollok, Glasgow. It is a tower house of the late 14th century consisting of a massive oblong block flanked by 4 corner towers.

Plunton Castle (Kirkcudbright) Past & Present

The castle is of typical L-plan, 3 storeys and an attic in height, vaulted, gun looped and with a wheel staircase in wing. It is built of random rubble with dressed openings.

Dun Troddan (Inverness) Past & Present

In 'The Scottish Castle' published in 1960 Stewart Cruden included brochs as amongst 'The Earliest Castles'. These iron age structures deserve the appellation 'castle' and are unique to Scotland.

Spynie Palace (Moray) Past & Present

Spynie is regarded as one of the finest tower houses in the land. Long in a state of neglect it is now under the protection of Historic Scotland who have undertaken a extensive programme of repairs and excavations.

Carberry Tower (Lothian) - Past and Present

Carberry is situated some three miles from the seaside town of Musselburgh. It dates from many periods but the nucleus is a massively strong tower of the early 16th century with a late 16th century extension.

Balthayock Castle (Perth) Past & Present

Situated some 3 miles from Perth and standing on the side of a ravine Balthayock is a massive tower house.

Caldwell Tower (Renfrew) Past & Present

Caldwell is a 16th century tower visible for miles high on its hilltop. Its somewhat truncated appearance is due to the fact that it was once part of a larger courtyard castle.

Gilston Peel (Lothian) Past & Present

Gilston Peel is situated in the borders near to Lauder. It appears to have been a small tower house (or peel) of the late 16th century which, having fallen into ruin, was fitted up for agricultural.

Black Castle (Perthshire) - Past & Present

Caisteal Dubh (Black Castle) stands on the outskirts of the town of Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire.

Murieston Castle (West Lothian) - Past & Present

Murieston Castle is a 16th century tower house near Livingston, West Lothian remodelled as a folly in 1824.

Amisfield Tower (Dumfries) - Past & Present

Amisfiled Tower is the finest tower house in southern Scotland. It is a vaulted building of two parts: the lower storeys being 16th century and the exuberant upper storeys which date from 1600.

Lincluden College (Dumfries) - Past & Present

Lincluden College, Dumfries, is a richly-decorated collegiate church of the 14th century with considerable remains of the 16th century domestic range

Hoddom Castle (Dumfries) - Past & Present

Hoddom Castle is a massive L-plan tower, rising high above the River Annan and was built by Lord Maxwell between 1565-68.

Cockburnspath Tower (Berwick) - Past & Present

A 15th century tower of warm, red sandstone, Cockburnspath Tower is in poor condition and as recently as 2012 there was a collapse.

Cockburnspath House (Berwick) - Past & Present

This old house, locally known as Sparrow Castle, is situated in the village of Cockburnspath

Kirkhill Castle (Ayr) - Past & Present

Kirkhill Castle is a typical small fortalice of the 16th century and stands in the gardens of a house at Colmonell in Ayrshire.X

Tarbert Castle (Argyll) - Past & Present

Dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries Tarbert Castle had long been in a state of total neglect but was rescued and consolidated by a local trust.

Loudoun Castle (Ayr) - Past & Present

Loudon Castle was built in 1807, incorporating portions of a 15th or 16th century tower house, and was burned down in 1942.

Spedlins Tower (Dumfries) - Past & Present

This substantial tower house stands near Lockerbie in Dumfries.

Eastshield (Lanark) - Past & Present

Set in rural Lanark near to Carnwath Eastshield is a 16th century tower house reduced to a 30 foot staircase tower and the scant remains of the main block.

Orchardton Tower (Kirkcudbright) - Past & Present

Situated in rural Kirckcudbrightshire Orchardton is a small 15th century tower house of a unique, round design

Waygateshaw (Lanark) - Past and present

From 1539 Waygateshaw was a house of the Lockhart family. In 1572 Stephen Lockhart was indicted for the murder of Lord Darnley. Today's house is comfortable and commodious while the original three storey tower is largely unused, except for storage.

Horsburgh Castle (Peebles) - Past and Present

Horsburgh is situated on a hilltop near to the county town of Peebles. A typical L-plan, whinstone tower house, it owes its survival to consolidation in the late 19th century.

Balmangan Tower (Kirkcudbright) - Past and Present

Balmangan is a simple, ruinous 16th century tower house. It survives to first floor level though a century ago it stood higher.

Lochmaben Castle (Dumfries) - Past and Present

Lochmaben is sited on a peninsular and was one of the principal fortresses in Scotland. It is more the pity that it is now in such a lamentable condition.

Sanquhar Castle (Dumfries) - Past and Present

The castle, seeming to date from 1400, is difficult to decipher being much altered, allowed to ruin, consolidated, only to fall into ruin again.

Gargunnock House (Stirling) - Past and Present

At first glance Gargunnock House appears a typical 18th century mansion... but look closer.

Stalker Castle (Argyll) - Past and Present

One of the most iconic castles of Scotland, Stalker stands on a rocky islet at the mouth of Loch Laich in Appin. It was roofless from 1831 until 1965 when it was restored.

Newark Castle (Ayr) - Past and Present

Newark Castle, near Ayr, has weathered the centuries well and is in excellent condition today.

Craufurdland Castle (Ayr) - Past and Present

Situated near Kilmarnock in rural Ayrshire, Craufurdland is a Gothic castle of 1830. Look closer, however, and there is more than meets the eye.

Barochan House (Renfrew) - Past and Lost

Barochan House, near Houston in Renfrew, was a 16th century tower house replacing an earlier castle. Lost forever, this is a glimpse of what once was.

Blairquhan Castle (Ayr) - Past and Present

This (apparent) Tudor Gothic mansion of 1820 hides a secret...

Torwoodlee Tower (Selkirk) - Past and Present

A look at Torwoodlee Tower's fate over the years and how the funding recently secured by it could help stem its deterioration in the future.

Rossend Castle (Fife) - Past and Present

Rossend Castle stands proudly above the Firth of Forth and once provided a lodging for Mary Queen of Scots - and allegedly a French poet whose evening with the Queen came to an unsavoury end.

Isle Tower (Wigtown) - Past and Present

A tower which Nigel Tranter claimed could be the latest - and also the most southerly - castle in Scotland reveals its charms and how they have stood the test of time.

Littledean Tower (Roxburghshire) - Past and Present

A tower with a turbulent history and unique design, Littledean is in critical condition.

Ardencaple Castle (Dumbarton) - Past and Present

Ardencaple Castle was a multi-period site, each addition obscuring the previous until nothing of the original castle appeared to survive - but appearances can be deceptive...

Law Castle (West Kilbride) - Past and Present

Once a roofless ruin, Law Castle is a shining example of how restoration can breathe new life into our historic buildings.

Knockhall Castle (Aberdeenshire) - Past and Present

An insight into the past and present of Knockhall Castle which is currently for sale for offers over £130,000.

Kildonan Castle (Arran) - Past and Present

With a prominent clifftop position overlooking the Firth of Clyde, Kildonan Castle has borne the brunt of the inclement Scottish weather...

Sorn Castle (Ayrshire) - Past and Present

Set on the side of dramatic ravine, Sorn Castle has evolved over the centuries from 14th-century tower house to stunning mansion.

Dalhousie Castle (Midlothian) - Past and Present

The last castle in Scotland to have been besieged by an English king - and despite being ravaged by fire in 1867 - 15th-century Dalhousie Castle still stands strong.

Queen Mary's House (Jedburgh) - Past and Present

A home fit for a Queen - or is it? The debate over whether Queen Mary did indeed stay here still rages on...

Riddell House (Roxburgh) - Past and Present

Riddell by name and a riddle by nature, the tale of Riddell House in Roxburghshire - now sadly ruined - has many twists and turns...

Frenchland Tower (Dumfries) - Past and Present

A ruin - but eminently restorable should someone share the vision - Frenchland Tower is an interesting example of a Scottish castle

Alloa Tower (Clackmannanshire) - Past and Present

The ancestral home of the Erskine family, Alloa Tower was rescued from years of ruin and neglect and is now in magnificent condition under the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

Langshaw Tower (Roxburghshire) - Past and Present

A tower with a tale of two centuries to tell, Langshaw Tower was occupied until the 18th century and was even used as the village school.

Morton's Gate (Edinburgh Castle) - Past and Present

The gateway to Edinburgh Castle welcomes thousands of visitors from around the globe every year but, under its previous guises, it saw its fair share of tumultuous times...

Duntrune Castle (Argyllshire) - Past and Present

A stunning location for Duntrune makes it one of the landmark castles in Argyllshire.

Knock Castle (Aberdeenshire) - Past and Present

Knock Castle in stunning Royal Deeside is a wonderful example of a traditional Scottish laird's home.

Pinkie House (Lothian) - Past and Present

An impressive mansion built in 1613 by Alexander Seton, Pinkie House now provides unique accommodation for some of Loretto School's boarders.

The Old College (Glasgow) - Past and Present

There are lessons to be learned from the sorry tale of Glasgow's Old College...

Old Tulliallan Castle (Fife) - Past and Present

When is a castle not a castle? When it's a hall house...

Crosbie Tower (Ayrshire) - Past and Present

Without care and attention the condition of our historical buildings quickly deteriorates. Crosbie Tower is one example...

Castle Stewart (Wigtownshire) - Past and Present

Once obscured by ivy, Castle Stewart has benefited from some consolidation work in recent years revealing some interesting aspects of its construction.

Preston Tower (Lothian) - Past and Present

Despite being set alight not once, not twice but three times, much of Preston Tower remains today.

Saltcoats Castle (Lothian) - Past and Present

Built on the site of an ancient salt marsh Saltcoats Castle's remains still give an indication of its former glory - but for how much longer?

French Castles - Past and Present

Princely pads for Napoleon, the fallout of warfare and the ravages of time, this trio of French castles have faced their battles. Find out how they've fared here.

Merchiston Castle (Edinburgh) - Past and Present

When an early resident of Merchiston Castle invented logarithms in the 17th century it seemed to seal its fate for a future as part of an educational campus.

Niddry Castle (Lothian) - Past and Present

Referring to imposing Niddry Castle as merely a tower is somewhat of an injustice. See how this impressive fortress is still standing strong today.

Blackness Castle (Lothian) - Past and Present

A formidable royal fortress that became one of Scotland's most revered stongholds, Blackness Castle has had connections with warfare for centuries.

Glamis Castle (Angus) - Past and Present

A home with over 1,000 years of history, Glamis Castle holds a special place in the nation's heart.

Dryhope Tower (Selkirk) - Past and Present

Dryhope Tower's fortunes, after years of stone robbing and weathering, have improved after some tender, loving care has consolidated it.

Bavelaw Castle (Midlothian) - Past and Present

At first glance Bavelaw could be mistaken for a mere laird's house but look closer and its earlier origins reveal themselves.

Donnington Castle (Berkshire) - Past and Present

More of a luxurious fortified home than a castle, Donnington nevertheless played a key role in England's Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Broughty Castle (Dundee) - Past and Present

Repeated attacks took their toll on Broughty Castle, part of Dundee's coastal defence.