Scotland's turbulent history has left an enduring mark on the landscape in shape of the many castles, fortresses and tower houses that pepper the countryside. Some - such as Edinburgh or Stirling - rank amongst Europe's most impressive structures while other less grand examples provide a stark insight into darker times.
All Scottish castles, however, have the power to capture the imagination which explains why they regularly top the list of 'must-see' attractions for visitors.
Here are our ten classic Scottish castles to whet your appetite...
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Inveraray Castle, Inveraray, Argyll
Inveraray Castle dates from the 18th century and is home to the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell, whose family have lived in Inveraray for over five centuries. With its large turretted corner towers, the castle has something of a fairytale aspect which belies the grandeur of the interior. This is exemplfied in the fine State Dining Room and Tapestry Drawing Room which contain magnificent French tapestries, fabulous examples of Scottish, English and French furniture and a wealth of other works of art.
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Balloch Castle and Country Park
Balloch Castle and Country Park is situated at the bottom of Loch Lomond. The castle is open to the public and the country park is a venue for open air Rock/Pop festivals attracting World class acts.
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Stirling Castle, Stirling
Perched high on volcanic rock, Stirling provides spectacular views over two of Scotland's most historic battlefields - Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn. Much of today's castle dates from the 15th-18th centuries. The Great Hall has been restored to how it would have looked around 1500 and there are excellent interactive displays on the castle's history and the medieval kitchen.
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Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye
Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the ancestral home of the Clan Macleod for 800 years. Originally designed to keep people out, it now warmly welcomes visitors keen to see the wealth of history presented in its accumulated treasures, trophies and keepsakes. Be sure to check out the Fairy Flag and the bottle-dungeon.
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Duart Castle, Duart Point, Mull
Duart Castle has been the seat of the Clan Maclean for over seven centuries. The rocky outcrop on which it stands offers excellent natural defences as well as fantastic panoramic views. Massive curtain walls ring the castle's landward side while a huge 14th-century tower house looks out to the Sound. Ruined in the late 18th century, it was restored in 1911 by the then clan chief, Sir Fitzroy Maclean.
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Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Perched high above the capital, this is Scotland's most important and famous castle. There has been a castle here since the 11th century and each century has seen changes and additions resulting in today's mix of military barracks, palace, fortress and war memorial. The castle is also home to the Scottish Crown Jewels - 'The Honours of Scotland' - and the famous Stone of Destiny, plus the mighty 'Mons Meg', a huge 15th-century siege cannon. On a smaller scale, The One O'clock Gun fires from the ramparts each weekday, scaring pigeons and the unaware on Princes Street far below.
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Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Wester Ross
Eilean Donan is for many people, the archetypal Scottish castle; it is certainly one of the most photogenic and photographed. Ruined during one of the Jacobite risings in the early 18th century, it was restored to all its glory some two centuries later and is now the headquarters of the Clan McRae. The castle's most spectacular feature is undoubtedly its magnificent natural setting, at the meeting point of three lochs.
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Craigievar Castle, by Alford
Craigievar is hidden in the quiet, wooded hills of Aberdeenshire. Looking as though it's come straight from the pages of a fairytale, this stylish 17th-century tower house is a fine example of the Scots baronial style of architecture at its best. Seven storeys high, its sheer walls are topped by a riot of turrets, towers, crow-stepped gables and conical roofs which give it its distinctive character.
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Culzean Castle, near Maybole, Ayrshire
Culzean Castle is the jewel in the crown of the National Trust for Scotland. This grand cliff-top country house was remodelled in the late 18th century by the renowned architect Robert Adam in his trademark neo-classical Georgian style. The Circular Saloon has a superb panoramic view over the Firth of Clyde and the beautiful Oval Staircase is Adam's final masterpiece of interior design.
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Fyvie Castle, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire
Fyvie is an outstanding example of Scottish baronial architecture. Having begun as a simple castle in the 13th century, it passed through the hands of five powerful families, each of whom added significantly to it until it reached its present form. Inside, the magnificent sweeping staircase is the most dramatic feature while the treasures on display include fine furniture, tapestries, paintings and arms and armour.