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Best Castle Hotels in Scotland - 2023

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Scottish Castle Hotels – But First, a Little Background for the History Lovers!

The first castles, as opposed to more rudimentary hill-fort-type constructions, started to appear in Scotland in the 1100s, built both by local feudal lords and Norman or Anglo newcomers.

The Norman Era

The Normans had a long presence in Scotland, and were politically very powerful, but they never actually invaded the country.

Instead many members of their aristocracy and military were invited there by King David I, a noted ‘Normophile’ and keen modernizer, and their cultural and political presence was quickly felt.

Initially their castles were mainly wooden, motte-and-bailey type structures but, as elsewhere, they became replaced, by the 13th century, with more solid, high stone-walled structures.

English Control

Little by little Scotland came under English dominance, and the castles they built as they went played an important role in the subjugation of rebellions and the defence of territory, particularly in the Wars of Independence of the 13th and 14th centuries.

The End for Castles

As the Middle Ages progressed things became got more peaceful in Scotland  – the previous feudal system had given way to centralized power structures, and so internal conflicts and clan wars became fewer.

In the conflicts that did happen though, there and elsewhere in Europe, castles were too often becoming breached by advances in gunpowder technology.

They quickly therefore, went out of favour for military purposes but their imposing characters and strategic (generally scenic then) locations still counted for something.

Victorian Era

By the 19th century, many castles had been re-designed or completely rebuilt as aristocratic residential palaces.

They may have retained much castle architecture and castle-like features but always merely for aesthetic purposes.

In Scotland this included the classic Scots Baronial and Neo-Gothic folly structures that were mainly built in the Georgian and Victorian era and still abound today.

The Royal Family’s residence, Balmoral Castle, is probably the most famous, and grand, example.

Our Choices

Our choices for the best castle hotels in Scotland include all the above – medieval defensive castles, Neo-Gothic follies, and Georgian/Victorian era palaces, and they all have lots of individual history to tell.

Most are family-friendly, many are pet friendly, some have both B&B and self-catering accommodation, and a few are 5 Star luxury castles with a whole range of top hotel features like spa facilities, swimming pool, golf course, etc.


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    • 9518328

    Carberry Tower Mansion House

    Category: B&B Castle Hotels and Family Friendly Castle Stays
    Address: Carberry Tower Mansion House
    Musselburgh
    East Lothian
    EH21 8PY
    United Kingdom
    Carberry Tower Castle Hotel, Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, Scotland, is an award winning, luxury 4 star hotel with a history going back to the 15th century and connections to the infamous Mary, Queen of Scots. There is a superb bistro restaurant here and you can enjoy a drink at the Champagne Terrace, or some aristocratic style afternoon tea, all in beautifully elegant surroundings. The setting is peaceful and atmospheric, with flower filled gardens, ancient woodlands and the famous Carberry Hill where in 1567, after being on the wrong side of the Battle of Carberry, Mary, Queen of Scots would announce her abdication from the throne. ACCOMMODATION: They have a range accommodation from small single rooms, to a top of the range suite, the 700 square feet Royal Suite. Between those two extremes are various other classes of rooms and suites. Check out all your options on the booking page here. In some hotels there isn’t always a huge amount of difference between superior or executive rooms and junior suites but in Carberry, if you have the budget, we’d advise paying the extra for a suite. Though there isn’t much of the medieval to be felt in the rooms, they do all display a nice READ MORE
                 
   

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