Scotland is thought to have around 3000 standing castles, ruins and documented sites.

Of these, about 1050 are merely sites, including those where a house has been built on the site of a previous castle and about 825 are standing ruins.

Around 660 are in use as a private house, hotel or wedding venue and around 469 are open to the public, though some only for a couple of weeks each year.

Edinburgh Castle and the Queen's holiday home, Balmoral Castle are Scotland's best-known castles.

Dunrobin Castle in Sutherland has been held as the most romantic-looking castle along with Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire and Eilean Donan Castle in the Highlands.

Slains Castle in Peterhead isthought to be the most likely to be haunted followed by Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven and Brodick Castle on Arran.

Aberdour Castle in Fife and Castle Sween in Argyll are thought to be two of the oldest datable standing castles, dating from around 1200, with bthe youngest castle being Carbisdale Castle, which was built in 1907.

Useful links

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