You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy Scotland castle vacations. If you like old crumbling buildings, opulent palaces, or just the countryside castle vacations are for you. It isn’t hard to imagine the kings, queens, lords, ladies and the many servants that once walked the halls of any historic castle your visit. Here are a few castles worth putting on your itinerary for your Scotland vacations.

Edinburgh Castle

You can’t have a Scotland vacation without a visit to Edinburgh castle. This has to be the most famous castle of them all in Scotland. This castle consists of a few different building most of which you can tour that were built in different eras. There is a lot of walking here to be sure to wear good shoes. If you plan your trip right you can enjoy the Edinburgh military tattoo.

Glamis Castle

Do you enjoy the though of castles that would exist in fairy tails? If you do you can’t mill Glamis castle. This is an important castle in Scotland as it has a very strong royal past with the Queen Mother; Elizabeth Bowes-Loyn called it her home and even had her second daughter there. If you enjoy ghost tails then be sure to ask about the resident ghosts when you visit.

Castle of Mey

The castle of Mey is so far north that you could see the Orkney Islands on a good day. This castle was the home of the Queen Mother that was the widow of George the VI when she bought it in the 1900s and restored it. You can visit this castle during the warmer months.

Above photo of Invergarry Castle Ruin by jacob earl

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There is so much to see in Edinburgh you could spend your entire Scotland vacations there and still not see it all. Here are four things that you can’t miss while on your Edinburgh vacations.

Edinburgh Castle

You can’t go to Edinburgh and not take the Royal Mile tour and see the Edinburgh Castle. Many of the castles historic buildings are open to see and they are set up as museums to enhance your knowledge of the area. Be sure to bring your walking shoes as the castle is sitting high on top of the castle mound which is an old volcano.

The Real Mary King’s Close

Old Town is fun to see since it is a perfect example of closes and houses from long ago. You will not have a hard time imagining what it would have been like to life there for Edinburgh’s poor. You can take a tour of an underground close that was once open to the air before it was closed in a built on top of.

New Town

When the “Old Town” got to crowded and dirty for the genteel class they built there own town in there current style and this town the built is now called New Town. New Town is new in comparison to the Old Town as it was built in the 1700s. If you tour the New Town you can examine and enjoy the Victorian architecture.

Royal Botanic Garden

Visiting a garden when you are touring a foreign place is always a relaxing and educational way to spend your time on a vacation away from home. The Royal Botanic Garden will not disappoint you with its variety of gardens and even its wildlife.

Above photo of New Town in Edinburgh Scotland by Davybot

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Edinburgh is the perfect place to spend your Scotland vacations. This is the capital of Scotland and is full things to see and do. There is a wonderful tour buss system in Edinburgh that allows you to buy a ticket and then jump on and off the buss all day. What must you see in Edinburgh? Here are two of the many attractions that you must see on your Scotland vacations in Edinburgh. 

Edinburgh Castle

From June to October you can see an amazing festival in front of Edinburgh on the Esplanade. Even if don’t visit during this time this castle on a volcano is worth the trip. First visit the oldest structure in the castle is St. Margaret’s Chapel that is still sometimes used for weddings. Second you can see the Scottish National War Memorial which was built in 1923 to honor those that dies in World War 2. Make sure you get to see the Crown Room on the first floor. The crown, sceptre, and sward are usually on display there. A Scottish National War Museum is also on site a worth a look. Wish such a brutal war history in Scotland this museum is definitely not to be missed.

New Town

Edinburgh’s New Town isn’t new in the terms we are used to. The first part of New Town was built in the mid to late 1700s and the second part was built in the early 1800s. Covering about one square mile this was a wonderful neighborhood built with wide streets and nice squares at each end. Near by you will find the mound which is a causeway that is the home to the national museum of Scotland. Also visit Stockbridge which is a Bohemian artisan’s corner. 

Above photo of Princess Street and castle from Scott’s Monument from the Library of Congress

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