Survey says Balmoral is the second-best known castle in Scotland

Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire is Scotland’s second best known castle, according to a new survey.

Research by VisitScotland has revealed that the Queen’s Scottish holiday home scooped 53% of the vote in a list of the top ten best castles in the country, beaten only by Edinburgh Castle, which 80% of Brits were aware of.

With the research revealing that almost half (49%) of Brits have never visited a Scottish castle, VisitScotland is encouraging visitors to bag one of the region’s hundreds of castles.

Aberdeenshire is known as ‘Scotland’s Castle Country’ and with an impressive tally of 300 castles, stately mansions and ruins scattered across the landscape, there are more castles per acre here than anywhere else in the UK.

Balmoral Castle in autumn, Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.

These include the sugar-plum pink Craigievar Castle – which many believe to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s castle logo – and Castle Fraser, one of the largest tower houses in the land which has quirky features such as the ‘Laird’s Lug’ – a chamber hidden above the Great Hall so that the Laird could eavesdrop on his visitors.

The research comes as the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology draws to a close.

In total, Scotland is thought to have around 3,000 standing castles, ruins and documented sites. Of these, about 1,050 are merely sites, including those where a house has been built on the site of a previous castle and about 825 are standing ruins. At the last count, 660 were in use (private house, hotel or wedding venue) and around 469 were open to the public, though some only for a couple of weeks each year.

Craigievar Castle is believed to have been the inspiration for Walt Disney’s castle logo

Jo Robinson, VisitScotland regional director, said: ‘I am delighted but not surprised that Balmoral has been voted the second best-known castle in Scotland. It is recognised around the world as the Scottish holiday home of the Queen and Royal family, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually and is situated in a stunning location in Royal Deeside.

‘It is also encouraging that Crathes, Slains and Dunnottar castles – all in Aberdeenshire – were mentioned by visitors in this research. We are very proud to boast that we are home to Scotland’s Castle Trail – it gives a tremendous boost to the region.

‘Castles are an iconic and integral part of Scotland’s history and culture. From the grandiose castles of Stirling and Edinburgh to the remote charms of Corgarff and Kindrochit castles – there is something unique and special about every single one and each has their own significant story to tell.

‘Scotland’s history and culture is one the top reasons for visiting Scotland. From World Heritage Sites to ancient monuments, cultural traditions to our myths, stories and legends – the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology has shone a spotlight some of our greatest assets and icons as well as our hidden gems.

‘Everyone should have the opportunity to experience a Scottish castle in their lifetime, so we would encourage everyone to make it their mission to bag a Scottish castle and a Munro on their visit here!’

To discover more about Scotland’s Castles, click HERE.