10 castles to visit

CULZEAN

This Ayrshire castle was such a favourite with US President Eisenhower he was given a top-floor apartment.

G LAMIS

Few castles can boast more impressive Royal credentials – it was the childhood home of the Queen and the Queen Mother.

EILEAN DONAN

There surely can be few more photographed castles than stunningly picturesque Eilean Donan which overlooks Skye.

STIRLING

It’s witnessed many moments in history including in 1314 when the Battle of Bannockburn was fought within sight of its walls.

TINTAGEL

It’d be hard to find a more dramatic location than Cornwall’s coast. It’s inextricably linked to legend of King Arthur.

INVERARAY

Sitting by Loch Fyne, the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll, the castle was featured in TV’s Downton Abbey.

MUNCASTER

Among the claims to fame of this Cumbrian beauty is that it’s one of the UK’s most haunted and has overnight “ghost sits”.

TANTALLON

With walls up to 13ft thick, it’s easy to see how this East Lothian beauty has stood the test of time. Check out its dark prison.

WINDSOR

It’s the largest inhabited castle in the world with around 1,000 rooms, 300 fireplaces, 300,000 books and some 450 clocks.

MIDDLEHAM

Sitting proudly in the Yorkshire Dales is this striking fortress, the remains of Richard III’s childhood home.