Post B1xNWSym3vcCAtryZE by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
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(DIR) Post #B1xNWK9mrc4ooRx8z2 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:16:12Z
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#142: Black castle in South Queensferry. It is black. Involved in witch hunts.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWLBb2N7O0Lo6RU by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:20:02Z
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#143: Blackness Castle - Sometimes called the ship which never sailed. Used for most of its history as a royal prison and supply depot. Seen in many a TV and film production.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWMSIJm4LwQcx6m by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:24:41Z
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#144: Blair Castle in Blair Atholl - One of the big WOW castles of Scotland. The Duke of Atholl is entitled to his own private army.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWNXeHLwjJK8k5o by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:29:23Z
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#145: Boddam castle - Only an arched entrance and a scattering of walls with gun loops remains of this fairly sizeable site. You can still appreciate the paths of all the main walls in the overgrown ground and on sat maps.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWOOT6yCHx8qvQG by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:34:58Z
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#146: Borve Castle - On Benbicula in the Outer Hebrides. Likely built by Amy of Garmoran in mid 1300's after her husband, John of Islay, divorced her to cement his ties to the Stewarts.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWP7UPaD4Clusb2 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:40:54Z
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#147: Bothwell Castle - Large castle built of distinctive red stone. A number of storied sieges including one in 1301 where something like 6-7k men took a month to take the castle and keep, ultimately succeeding using a giant rolling siege tower to put attacker directly on the battlements of the keep.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWPulSNcofayEOu by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:43:18Z
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#148: Braemar Castle - Another wow castle with white render which really makes it pop.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWQSnPqqaN8tPRg by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:47:08Z
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#149: Brechin Castle - Most of the current structure is early 18th century, but on site of much older castle.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWR6r0utENNdOsq by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:51:53Z
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#150: Brodie Castle near Nairn - Z plan with a series of wings added to it whenever the Brodies had money. They eventually ran out.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWRgIt7FK9KDi8e by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:55:24Z
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#151: Broomhall Castle - Castle styled manor near Stirling. Currently a hotel and restaurant. Stopped in and took a look at the pricing and stayed in the dorms at U of S instead.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWSHsdPIu1rnii0 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T19:58:18Z
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#152: Broughty castle near Dundee. Castle turned into a fort and used up through the world wars in various capacities, including as a mine laying operation against submarines.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWSym3vcCAtryZE by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:02:29Z
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#153: Calvay Castle on a tidal island on the approaches to Loch Boisdale, South Uist. Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here in June of 1746 while on the run after Culloden.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWTmP5PJWep5bvM by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:05:44Z
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#154: Castle Campbell - Situated high above Dollar, the strenuous hike up through the forested glen is worth it.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWUak4Fa1AwdoO0 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:07:58Z
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#155: Castle Menzies outside Aberfeldy.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWVHdUltJJyi4FE by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:10:38Z
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#156: Castle of St John in Stranraer
(DIR) Post #B1xNWVnBbT80tpTGQC by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:13:01Z
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#157: Cawdor Castle - They've got a dead tree in the basement.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWWZOiDh1JM1lZI by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:17:24Z
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#158: Clackmannan Tower - Lady Bruce once knighted Robert Burns here with a sword said to be owned by Robert the Bruce. Said she had as much right to do it as anyone.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWXU7JL3y9GZ3ya by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:19:54Z
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#159: Coroghon Castle on the Isle of Canna in the Small Isles - Ruins of a tower atop an extremely spindly rock. It's a break neck risking climb to get to it. The owners must have been billy goats.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWYJAFXtchaRpXk by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:24:51Z
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#160: Coxton Tower aka Cokstoune Castle - Extremely interesting tower house. All the levels are barrel vaulted and set at 90 degrees to each other for added strength, including the roof, covered in heavy flagstones. An earlier version of the tower was burned out over inheritance squabbling and so was rebuilt to be fire proof. Has a first floor defensive entrance with iron yett and the stairway to it was only added in relatively modern times. Owner gave me a personal guided tour.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWYxvnyVQk1WO5Q by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:27:11Z
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#161: Craigentinny Castle
(DIR) Post #B1xNWZfBDB6Iu9kvUu by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:30:53Z
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#162: Craiglockhart Castle - Stump of a tower maybe two stories high in places. Some surviving windows, doors and gun ports.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWaGkxT9smhKw4G by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:34:10Z
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#163: Crathes Castle - Very nice and interesting large tower house run by NT. Incredible gardens and large estate grounds with hiking trails almost as much an attraction as the castle itself.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWb2y4DitCDtRDM by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:35:55Z
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#164: Crookston Castle near Glasgow
(DIR) Post #B1xNWbetnC435rdjKy by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:38:31Z
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#165: Dirleton Castle - A repeat visit for me to meet with Andrew Spratt, the longtime monument manager and castle reconstruction artist.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWcND8RVfJIN7PE by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:42:25Z
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#166: Doune Castle - Impressive castle with a fun audio guide. A must for any Monty Python fan.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWdENwk2nyDFaHw by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:45:51Z
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#167: Drum Castle - Very interesting castle with a very old square tower with very thick walls and three enormous vaulted chambers.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWeAsRGpetccISW by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:50:06Z
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#168: Duart Castle on Mull. Was all enshrouded in scaffolding the first time I visited it on my first trip to Scotland. Returned to mull and visited it again and got good pictures this time around. Good tour, poor public transit. Had to hitch hike in the rain to get back from it.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWf0zJWW3VEzugS by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T20:55:29Z
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#169: Dumbarton Castle - Fortified for ages, the rock's twin summits are covered in stairways and guarded walkways leading to gun batteries. The view from the top of the Clyde is great. It's a long way down.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWfr6BmCS6rNWuO by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T21:01:55Z
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#170: Dunbar Castle in Dunbar - Sprawling ruin spread across multiple rock outcroppings guarding a harbor. Enlargement of the harbor required blowing up a good chunk of the castle to create a channel. Famously successfully defended by Black Agnes, Countess of Dunbar in 1338 against the English in a siege lasting almost half a year.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWgicyl1AmsQHLM by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-02T21:03:32Z
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Think that is all I got in me tonight. We're only on the D's of my Scottish Castles directory. Long way to go until we hit England and then France. I'll keep at it. Tune in again tomorrow for some more of my 2025 castle recap. #castles
(DIR) Post #B1xNWhVu1YQvFhTd9F by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:13:35Z
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Continuing on with Scotland.#171: Dunideer Castle near Insch. Chunky rubble fill is mostly what remains of this once sizable castle atop a very large hill and vitrified fort.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWiM0to7JrJrFNA by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:17:12Z
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#172: Dunolie Castle overlooking the exit from Oban's harbor.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWiwsgjbjhf6gq0 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:22:36Z
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#173: Edzell castle - Tower house with courtyard and substantial ranges, but the real star of the show here is the amazing walled garden, summer house and the collection of preserved plaques and statues the owners once enjoyed. An older set of earthworks on which the original Edzell castle sat can be walked to from the new castle.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWjt1Ca70byJ7SK by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:31:51Z
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#174: Elcho castle - Little visited HES castle near Perth. No bus routes, so took a taxi both ways. Worth it. It's roughly a Z-plan, but has a complex geometry with a number of towers on the side facing the river. Very well preserved and substantially the same as when built, unlike so many which has had sash windows and such added down the line. This one is like a window back in time and is a real treasure. There is also a restored beehive style doocot just off the property.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWkS766BWMoj99s by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:35:15Z
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#175: Elgin Castle - Just rubble remains showing you the approximate footprint of this castle which once sat atop Lady Hill in Elgin. Great view of the town and surrounding countryside. You got to Elgin for the amazing ruined cathedral, not the castle.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWl093ZPI4MeKCe by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:38:25Z
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#176: Ellon castle - The fascade of this one sides atop a double decker terrace above a large walled formal garden with ancient yews and some neat sundials. Been revitalized as a community amenity. An annual membership is a no-brainer if you are a local. Lovely thing to have in your back yard.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWleuc0166niskK by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:42:48Z
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#177: Falkland Palace - One of the favorite retreats of the Scottish monarchs. One of the world's oldest tennis courts can be found here.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWmQ3mhjMT1mXEe by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:50:40Z
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#178: Fort George - Huge fort near Ardesier, with barracks for thousands and huge ammunition and powder magazines. Built to control the Moray Firth and the Scottist population in the wake of the 1745 rebellion which blew up the first Fort George, which was located closer to Inverness.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWn2hT2dgOrrOSm by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T18:56:54Z
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#179: Glamis Castle - Amazing castle in Angus. It is privately owned by the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. I'd have skipped this one if I'd known that the current owner, a second cousin to Charles III, sexually assaulted a guest here at the castle in 2021. They play up the royal connection on the tour and so much as mention the attempted rape. Don't like the idea that I lined his pockets.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Bowes-Lyon,_19th_Earl_of_Strathmore_and_Kinghorne
(DIR) Post #B1xNWngl46gKP6bNtw by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:00:23Z
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#180: Glengorm Castle on the Isle of Mull. Seen from the ferry while making the passage to Castlebay. A ruined medieval castle known as Dùn Ara sits on an outcrop of rock nearby.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWoLWcXI8RXfwRc by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:04:44Z
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#181: Hailes Castle - visited this one with Andrew Spratt. It is mostly fenced off at present, unfortunately. He's done some neat reconstruction drawings which accurately showed the terraced moat system which once surrounded the castle. The on site reconstruction drawing doesn't properly show it.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWouyUjeEDUGFhQ by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:11:18Z
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#182: Horsbrugh Castle - Fairly thin walled peel tower atop a high hill in the Scottish borders near Peebles. There is a plaque dedicated to Florence Horsbrugh, a prominent female MP embedded in the castle wall near the entrance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Horsbrugh,_Baroness_Horsbrugh
(DIR) Post #B1xNWpl5MzKcp6drvM by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:18:35Z
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#183: Huntingtower Castle - Consists of two tower houses built on the same property and set at a slight angle to each other. A connecting building was eventually built to join the two together. There is a legend about a young woman leaping between the battlements of the two structures to avoid discovery of her being with a lover. There is just enough historical documentation to support that this one might be true.Also, James VI was invited to dinner here and then kidnapped for ten months.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWqUSeHcz5ps6eO by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:24:16Z
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#184: Huntly Castle - As lavish as it got back in it's day. Maybe a little too lavish and showy, upstaging the crown. Surviving inventories and accounts provide a good idea of the quality of the furnishings and hospitality here.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWrNlKfrbrLkGqe by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:28:24Z
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#185: Inchgarvie Castle - Built on an island in the Firth of Forth. The Forth Rail Bridge runs right above it. You can look down on it if you take the train from Edinburgh or go on a boat tour. I did both. Much later fortifications over the centuries, but bits of the medieval castle can still be seen in places on the island.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWsOrY4L113GfCa by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:32:20Z
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#186: Inverugie Castle near Peterhead. Fenced off with a narrow slatted wire fence of the type I hate. The owner was nice enough to give me a private tour. If I remember correctly, the father of Robert Burns trained as a gardener here.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWsxxRaPWltggu8 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:37:32Z
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#187: Kellie Castle near Pittenweem. Lovely castle with beautiful walled gardens operated by NT, I think. I threw up in the gardens after taking the tour. Sorry, it was a long slog from the nearest bus stop and I think I had heat stroke.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWtZtAYkgfXQz1k by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:39:39Z
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#188: Kellie Lodging: The town house of the people who owned the castle. This was fairly common for people who had inland country estates but had to do business in town and couldn't rely on good weather to hold for the during of a horse/carriage ride.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWuBSuqoGY50zb6 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:10:34Z
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#172: Horsbrugh Castle - Fairly thin walled peel tower atop a high hill in the Scottish borders near Peebles. There is a plaque dedicated to Florence Horsbrugh, a prominent female MP embedded in the castle wall near the entrance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Horsbrugh,_Baroness_Horsbrugh
(DIR) Post #B1xNWuBotX5qZBBH9M by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:44:05Z
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#189: Kilchurn Castle - Saw it while passing by on the bus. Visited it on my first trip. Wish I'd stopped for a revisit. It's one of the most photographically interesting in all of Scotland, being situated on the very appropriately named Loch Awe.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWv3LgVuZFCE1aK by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:49:47Z
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#190: Kindrochit Castle in Braemar - This one had very thick walls. A beautiful inscribed brooch was recovered (by young scouts) while excavating the castle's dungeon, the room on the right side of this picture.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWvb1fIqkvdyv4q by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:52:40Z
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#191: Kinnaird Head Castle. This poor castle got turned into one of Scotland's first lighthouses.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWwG9CPk8zBDlAm by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T19:56:34Z
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#192: Kinneil House - The central block of this manor is actually a thick walled tower house. James Watt had a workshop just behind and to the left of the house where he developed his steam engine, an invention which considerably changed the world.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWwyoWLTLDi7QnI by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:03:14Z
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#193: Kisimul Castle - This castle sits in the harbor of Castlebay on the island of Barra toward the southern end of the inhabited Hebrides/Western Isles. I took a ferry here from Oban and then island hopped up through the Hebrides to North Uist before crossing back to the mainland. Saw Lewis and Harris on my first trip to Scotland,
(DIR) Post #B1xNWxYyLuOb1r2J9c by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:07:47Z
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#194: Knock Castle nearest Ballater - A pretty health walk to get to it - Very functional 3-way gun ports on this one. Much care was taken to make this small structure defensible.There is a likely untrue story about the laird falling down the stairs to his death after being told of the decapitation of a number of his sons.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWy3SWYmYYPIefo by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:12:36Z
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#195: Knockhall Castle near to Newburgh in Aberdeenshire. Built to an unusual T shaped plan. Well ringed by ground level gun ports. The last man in Scotland who could reasonably describe his job as "Court Jester" worked here and got a stipend after saving his laird's chest of important papers from a fire.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWyfOFX7iS32wnQ by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:16:28Z
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#196: Leuchars Castle - The elaborate doocot, which once sported a square caphouse, is all that remains of the castle which sat atop the motte (visible in the background). The castle was deliberated destroyed by explosives and I could find no trace of it atop the brush covered motte.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWzK9nxjWUU7VL6 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:20:44Z
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#197: Linlithgow Palace - This pleasure palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, once sported a high draw bridge and special outrigger gun turrets.
(DIR) Post #B1xNWzr7pO6Y8jXpj6 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:27:51Z
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#198: Loch an Eilein Castle - On an island in said loch. It is a strenuous but pleasant walk through the woods to get to it from Aviemore. If you want to get to it and explore, bring a full on wet suit, reef boots and a machette.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX0RdddJNxyczdg by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:33:11Z
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#199: Lochleven Castle - I lucked out and got a wait-listed ticket for the last boat out of the day. The loch is very shallow, so only a dozen people or so can fit on the boats without them ground. Tickets often sell out well in advance. Mary Queen of Scots was held captive here, had a miscarriage here and escaped on her second attempt after taking advantage of a party and plying everyone with drink.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX12VQYnnoJsR6W by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:37:37Z
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#200 Macduff's Castle near Wemyss - There were actually two sizeable towers to this one and a number of other turrets and a gun port lined wall. The other major tower was brought down as a safety hazard after someone was badly injured trying to climb it. The fortifications, buried in brush, lead right down to a sharp stoney cliffside, which contains a number of caves below.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX1o0ZwneBe6N96 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:42:16Z
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#201: Mains Castle in Dundee - Several ranges and an intact courtyard are overlooked by a very tall, somewhat narrow tower topped by a square house. The interior seems to be mostly used for weddings/parties, with a fancied up sandwich vendor selling food in the courtyard. The sandwich staff weren't paying much attention and the door to the tower was open, so I went on up and explored.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX2ZVjKnUYyKJBg by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:51:42Z
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#202: Malcolm Canmore's Tower - There isn't much left to this tower where this prominent early king of Scotland sat once drinking his blood red wine. A depiction of the tower can be found on early seals of the city. It sits on a high prominence of rock at a bend in the river, having natural defenses on most sides.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX3MQnRvf0hDNRI by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:54:30Z
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Malcolm's long reign intersected with the arrival of the Normans in England and he married Margaret of Wessex, after her family fled north. Her brother Edgar Ætheling was elected king after the death of Harold Godwinson at Hastings, but he couldn't hold back the Norman conquest.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX3y0XjzEtEnO0e by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T20:59:12Z
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Malcolm and Margaret has a daughter Matilda, who became Queen Consort of England and married Henry I and they in turn had a child also named Matilda who went on to become Holy Roman Empress and one of the two claimants to the English crown during The Anarchy. Her son would reign as Henry II, who greatly expanded what is not called the Angevin empire (only for it to be lost under John). In short, a lot of these "Norman" lords were descended from this Scottish king and a his Wessex bride.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX4sNAB4bi3AOrg by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:07:28Z
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But hey, before I run out of steam, lets move onto...#203: Menstrie Castle near Stirling. William Alexander, created 1st Earl of Stirling, lived here. He was instrumental in founding the colony of Novia Scotia. Also held title to Long Island, which was mostly unsettled by westerners at the time.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX5fIEICm9m3T7I by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:11:42Z
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#204: Merchiston Tower in Edinburgh. Mathematician John Napier, 8th Laird of Merchiston, was born here in 1550. He invented Logarithms. You're welcome.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX6Vl5EAkmUbMtU by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:15:25Z
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#205: Midhope Castle - You may known this castle by another name if you are a fan of the TV show Outlander.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX76yqpwkdw15ua by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:18:43Z
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#206: Milton Castle in Keith - It was once bigger. Some of the plaques from the castle can be seen on the side of the local distillery, today.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX7kgTDhod4annU by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:20:58Z
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#207: Motte of Tillydrone - Seaton Park in Aberdeen. Probably a motte. Probably.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX8JQO3UkMoqXwm by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:24:19Z
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#208: Muchalls Castle near Stonehaven. Privately owned. Grounds don't look recently maintained. Rang the doorbell, which was an actual bell. Nobody came to the door. Walked around exterior. Supposedly has some amazing plaster-work ceilings.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX95zTULKnRZKe8 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:30:08Z
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#209: Neidpath Castle near Peebles - Extremely thick walled L-plan castle with courtyard and associated buildings which ran down the steep hillside to the river below. A siege via cannon from across the river probably weakened one corner, which collapsed much later. Paid 50 pounds for a private tour. Worth it.
(DIR) Post #B1xNX9ugR0tPKfHof2 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:35:07Z
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#210: Nether Horsbrugh Castle - A classic, extremely minimal peel tower built next to a little stream. The stonework is in a very precarious state and was none too good to begin with. I bunked down in the nicely refurbished mill building with it in sight.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXAczmGL1Y61CjI by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:40:19Z
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#211: Newark Castle near Pittenweam - Very decayed and hazardous. I explored, carefully, but lots of lose stonework here. Frightening a pigeon could be your death. This one was quite ornate and had an elaborate and showy roof-line as a display of status. Also, plenty of gunports. There was some sort of vaulted building connected to the castle by stairs built against the cliffside. Possibly some sort of boat house.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXBPCt0u1xcZhsO by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:45:29Z
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#212: Niddry Castle - Privately owned and in the middle of a golf course. Nobody was home when I rang the bell. It played host to Mary Queen of Scots when she escaped Lochleven and she spent some time here frantically writing to her supporters. A number of stumps of round turrets surround the castle and there is a cobblestone courtyard.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXCCpuUbMRXnLEW by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:49:10Z
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#213: Pitsligo Castle - About 15 minutes west of Fraserburgh. Precarious stonework didn't stop a gang of preteens from climbing all over this thing. Has a number of very legible surviving armorial plaques. Surrounded by a number of large high walled enclosures for gardens and orchards.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXDFM2cD5fdyrnU by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:53:10Z
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#214: Pittulie Castle - Within sight of Pisligo. Very unusually has some simple Oriel windows mounted on the corners of the primary tower. The laird or lady liked their views. The castle is in the middle of a farmer's field. Parch marks in sat images reveal that this once had enclosures and gardens and there are remains of a doocot as well. Not reachable when there is a crop in the ground. Armorial plaques mounted on farm buildings nearby.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXE1DAgUW44N5OK by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T21:59:00Z
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#215: Preston Tower in Prestonpans - Mid 15th century L plan with the main entrance mounted in an unusual location. Addition thin walled upper rooms were added above the original roofline and inset from the outer wall to preserve a walkable allure. The battle of Prestonpans was observed from this tower. There are lots of armorial carvings on display here. Several doocots and later residences nearby.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXEtnti9ynNugU4 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T22:02:09Z
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#216: Rait Castle - Thick walled hall-house that is just walkable from Nairn. I think it was about 4 miles each way for me. Very cool. It has a porcullis on the first floor entrance. Probably the best and most intact example of a well defended hall house I've visited.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXFlKggyhTOxQv2 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T22:05:18Z
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#217: Ravenscraig Castle near Kirkcaldy. A superb example of castle design changing to adapt to an era of gunpowder warfare.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXGdvPieACiV20m by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T22:13:19Z
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#218: Also Ravenscraig Castle, only this one is near Inverugie. Sometimes known as Craig of Inverugie. This is the quintessential castle buried deep in the forest, with not a path leading to it. Was very difficult to find and access. One fairly intact vault with interesting long slit gunports with the inverse key style, but with a cruciform shape at the top. Came back from this one bruised and bleeding and threw away clothing, but happy.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXHNIh0wWTRjGjo by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T22:17:07Z
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#219: Red Castle - Near Lunan Bay south of Montrose. Long walk from the bus stop to get to it. See this one soon, as much of it is about to fall off the edge of the sandy bluff it is on.Wish I could have been here for the full day to watch the light shift across it's faces from different directions. Very scenic location.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXIQAnoppie54r2 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T22:20:33Z
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#220: Rossend Castle in Burntisland - The new owners were just moving in and let me check the place out a bit.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXJFZihx4I487yS by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T22:25:27Z
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#221: Rosyth Castle in Rosyth - It is on the edge of a very active and secured commercial/military dockyard. I spoke to the guard at the entrance gate and he pointed out that simple trespass really isn't treated as a criminal matter in Scotland, but that damaging fencing and such was. He then pointed me to a gap in the fence. The coat of arms of Mary Queen of Scots can still be seen above the entrance gateway.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXKDU7xsFHs9yM4 by Infoseepage@mastodon.social
2026-01-04T22:27:27Z
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Well, that is fifty more castles counted off and I've still got some more to go in Scotland before we get to the north of England and then onward to France. How many did I manage to see in 2025?Think I'll call it a night. I'm off to another French town tomorrow to see a castle.
(DIR) Post #B1xNXLDWPJUuOHBW3E by gnu2@gnusocial.jp
2026-01-04T23:34:21Z
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@Infoseepage holy smokes!
(DIR) Post #B1xNYoyTFw7gyEqnMe by gnu2@gnusocial.jp
2026-01-04T23:36:10Z
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@Infoseepage holy smokes!