Advice from anyone about Scottish castles

firg · Spanner Monkey Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Karma :

Hi,

I'm looking to head up to Scotland - because I've never been!

I fancied a bit of chilling out and greenery away from cities, so I thought exploring the highlands on the bike and wondering about a few old ruined castles could be relaxing.

Does anyone here know Northern Scotland well and could recommend anywhere?

I hear midges can be rather bad over in the West, so I was going to try and focus on the East. airbnb.com for places to stay so not planning on camping... don't have any of the gear anymore Embarassed

ta!
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Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

Just keep left. The right bit is not as by far.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

There is a castle trail in Aberdeenshire. 17 castles.

Most of them are intact, not ruins though. You can look round most of them.

https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/itineraries/castles/scotlands-castle-trail

Going round them all would take you along some fairly decent roads as long as you don't take the direct route.
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firg · Spanner Monkey Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Karma :

Alrighty, Castle Trail in Aberdeenshire it is!

Thanks Stinkwheel.
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Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

You are missing to much worrying about shitty midges. West is best.

Castle stalker was used in Highlander and Monty Pythons Holy Grail.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Stalker

And Eilean Donan Castle what was also used in a Highlander and Bond films to name a few.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eilean_Donan

Not to mention the fantastic roads round the areas

Gazz · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 May 2009 Karma :

Castle Map of Scotland:

https://www.britainirelandcastles.com/map/Scotland.html

Most seem to be on the East coast, but the west has better scenery and roads IMO.

Doubt you will struggle for places to stay no matter where you decide to go. Plenty of places to sleep near the roads even if it does seem remote compared to say England for example.

Midges are a problem wherever you are, but shouldnt be too bad if you are not camping. Usually worse around the lochs and rivers and usually at sunset so you should be fine during the day.