16 Amazing Castles In Perthshire, Scotland

When you are in Perthshire, a historical castle or mansion is never too far away. Some castles in Perthshire are available to rent as holiday homes or great places to stop for a coffee.

In Scotland, you can find some of the most iconic castles in the world. Also, other castles are teeming with history and they have been left to ruin for decades or centuries.

So we are calling all the fairytale dreamers and history buffs, this post is for you.

You can keep reading to get inspiration for your next adventure. Visiting castles in Scotland is the perfect way to travel in your homeland.

Tullibole Castle 

Tullibole Castle is located south of the Ochill Hills, it is secretly tucked away in some woodland. The castle was built in 1608 and passed to the Moncreiths about a hundred years ago.

Nowadays, the castle is the perfect venue for a special event or just to explore the stunning Scottish Heritage. 

Tickets cost £5.00. Admission every half an hour with guided tours only.

Burleigh Castle

Burleigh Castle is a stunning piece of Jacobite architecture. The castle is small and only has three storeys, it was built in the late 15th century.

The castle has been adapted and renovated a few times during the 16th and 17th centuries. 

Castle ruins of Burleigh is located on the road side of A911 just 0.5 miles east of a small town called Milnathort.

You can park in the nearby town and explore many of the nature walks in the area. Also, you can get a key from the neighbours across the road if you wish to have a closer look at the building. 

Balvaird Castle 

Balvaird is a late 15th-century historic tower house complex. As well as the tower itself you can also view the service building, courtyard, a formal walled garden and ’pleasance’.

The castle is intact and is well looked after, it is the perfect place for a quick stroll. Also, you will get the chance to recognise the remaining walls where the tower once stood. 

The property was extensively reconstructed by the owners, Murrays of Balvaird. Eventually, they moved to Scone Palace in 1658.

Also, the tower house was then used for accommodation for farm labourers. Balvaird Castle may be a bit of the way to visit if you are exploring Perthshire, however, it is the perfect first stop if you are coming from Dundee.

If you love a bit of history it is definitely worth the detour.

There is a small car park on the A912, where you can walk for five minutes to get to the castle. Once you are there the views are great. 

Elcho Castle

Elcho Castle is a 16th century fortified mansion which was known as the ‘party castle’. It was a retreat for the wealthy Wemyss family.

The castle is set in one of the best parts of Perthshire. You can walk through the orchard which has varieties of fresh apples, pears and plums which are ready to eat!

Also, the orchard is a haven for butterflies and wildlife. The castle is well kept, you can see gun holes marking in the walls from the outside.

You can step inside the castle and view the precious remains of the decorated plasterwork. There is car parking and a small gift shop on site. Tickets cost £6.

Kinnoull Hill and Tower

Kinnoull Hill woodland is a tranquil haven which features a number of woodland paths, an abundance of flora and fauna, as well as roe deer, red squirrels and excellent views across the Perth countryside.

You can park in Corsie Hill car park as the route is good for all abilities with some short steep areas. Alternatively, if you fancy a longer walk you can walk from the Perth city centre. For walking route, you can check out Walk Highlands.

The Kinnoull Tower is beautifully perched near the cliff edge of Kinnoull Hill. Once you get to the top you will be rewarded with stunning views over the River Tay and beyond.

There is a beautiful story for inspiration of the tower. The 9th Earl of Kinnoull was inspired by the Rhine castles in Germany and decided that the dramatic cliff edge of Kinnoull needed a similar fantasy watchtower. 

Black Watch Castle & Museum (Balhousie Castle)

The Black Watch Castle & Museum is set in the attractive woodland in the centre of Perth city. The Black Watch Museum is found in the beautiful Balhousie Castle which was built back in the 12th century.

Also, there is a cafe which serves a delicious seasonal menu and you can also stop in the Castle Gift Shop and buy a few lovely gifts. 

At the Black Watch you can go on a self-guided tour and view artefacts, paintings, photographs, and interactive displays to learn about the history of the nation’s oldest Highland Regiment.

Also, the museum is very interesting with plenty of old weapons of war, uniform trinkets, and information plaques which were fully labelled with great stories behind them. I would definitely recommend visiting here if you are a history buff.

Huntingtower Castle

Huntingtower Castle is just outside Perth, the site is maintained by Historic Scotland. The castle has been lordly homes for the Ruthvens and the Murrays over 400 years ago.

Also, the old castle is steeped with history and has been associated with some famous people including Mary Queen of Scots and famous incidents including the ‘Ruthven Raid’.

The castle is small but it is well preserved and heaped with history. You can purchase a guide book which explains all the history.

There are toilet facilities here, along with a car park and a small gift shop.

Adult tickets cost £7.50. Free Entry for Historic Environment Scotland members. 

Scone Palace

Scone Palace is extravagant and full of history. Previously, Scone Palace was home to the Earls of Mansfirld.

Also, Scone Palace is famously known as the crowning place for many Scottish kings including Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Charles II.

At the castle, you can wander through the Long Gallery, admire the needlework of Mary Queen of Scots bed hangings and see the State Rooms where Queen Victoria hosted many guests during her Highland trip in 1842. 

Scone Palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and peaceful woodland which is the perfect place to go for a nice walk or picnic.

There is a great adventure playground for children and a unique tartan maze which features 2,000 beech trees.

Also, there are a couple of places to eat including the Old Servants Hall Coffee Shop and the Old Kitchen Coffee Shop, along with a gift shop and food shop. Palace Guided Tour costs £20 per ticket.

A palace and garden ticket costs £17.50 for adults.

Drummond Castle, Crieff

At Drummond Castle you can enjoy one of the most splendid and impressive gardens in the whole of Scotland and Europe. The first view from the terrace is a stunning introduction to the variety of trees and shrubs.

It is evident that the gardeners have been working hard since the 17th century to showcase the colourful greenery.

An excellent backdrop is created from the castle high up on the embankment in the background and the surrounding countryside. Dummond Castle is not far from Crieff in Perthshire.

Garden Tickets cost £10.00. The castle itself is closed to the public. 

Finlarig Castle, Perthshire

Finlarig is a secret gloomy castle ruin which is located near the north end of Killin to the west end of Loch Tay. The castle has a story, teeming with mystery and the history is really interesting.

This castle is off the beaten track so if you want to go somewhere where no one is around then this is the place for you. 

Nearby is the hidden Finlarig Castle Mausoleum and Cemetery. The ruined Mausoleum was a chapel built in 1829 and it is located East of Finlarig Castle. 

Castle Menzies (Weem)

Castle Menzies is a magnificent 16th-century renaissance castle, which has been restored recently by a charitable trust known as the Menzies Clan Society.

The castle has been famously involved in many of the Scottish Jacobite stories and several other turbulent tales from the Highlands. 

You can tour the inside of the castle at your own pace which will give you time to read plenty of interesting information boards.

There are great cakes in the tearoom and you can go outside and enjoy the splendid walled garden.  

Fonab Castle

Fonab Castle is just off the A9 and is near the famous Pitlochry Dam. The five star hotel is an amazing way to experience luxury in the heart of Scotland.

They serve delicious afternoon teas in the restaurant with great views over Loch Faskally. Also, after a long day of exploring there is nothing better than relaxing with a cocktail in the lounge or enjoying a massage at the spa.

Atholl Palace

Atholl Palace represents splendid Scottish Baronial Architecture and is found in Pitlochry with only being a fifteen minute walk away from the centre. The building is surrounded by beautiful green gardens making it a stunning location.

There is a lovely restaurant where you can get some lunch. Also, you can stay here in a suite, bedroom, apartment or self-catering lodge. 

Dunalastair House

The castle is set in the stunning Perthshire countryside with a clear view of the Schiehallion. Dunalastair House is a mighty house ruin which is now a skeletal ruin and an urban explorers playground.

It is strange to see such a beautiful building being left to decay, however, there are many of the original features are well-kept.

Also, it is interesting to know that the building was designed by the famous architect, Andrew Heiton who designed many other buildings around that same time. 

To get to the building you will have to park on the B846 and walk half a mile to get there. 

Blair Castle, Blair Athol, Pitlochry

At Blair Castle, you can explore over 750 years of Scottish history. The castle was the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl and home to the Atholl Highlanders, one of Europe’s last remaining private armies.

Blair Castle is stunning from the inside and out. Inside you can explore more than 30 rooms including a Victorian Ballroom, and the classic Georgian styling of the Picture Staircase. 

Also, the Hercules Garden is stunning with pretty ponds, a Chinese Bridge, a trail of 18th century sculptures and an orchard full of fruit trees.

Also, while you are there you can spot wildlife in the grounds and enjoy picturesque views across the Highland and Perthshire region. 

Tickets for viewing inside the castle and gardens are £17. Garden tickets are £8. 

Whitefield Castle 

Whitefield Castle is a castle ruin which was built in the 12th century, and expanded in the 16th century. Since then it has fallen to ruins.

The castle is also said to be linked by underground tunnels to other ancient residences including Ashintully Castle. 

The castle is not near a public road, so there is a high chance that you will not come across any other visitors as you approach the castle.

This off-the-beaten track find can be accessed by following part of the Cateran Trail. 

Final Note

There are so many castles and historic buildings to explore in Perthshire. This area is one of the most historical and culture rich in the whole of Scotland.

Why not look at castles in other parts of Scotland. There are plenty of castles near Edinburgh, Stirling, Dundee, in Argyll and near Aberdeen.