Castles Of The Clans

Did Your Clan or Family Own A Castle?

Virtually all Scottish monarchs, nobles, lairds and landowners, Highland or Lowland, lived in castles, palaces or tower houses; it has been estimated that there were more than 3,000 of these fortified buildings in Scotland during the medieval and early modern period.

By far the most comprehensive and detailed work available, Castles of the Clans features more than 750 clans and families (with hundreds more alternate spellings and variations), along with the thousands of castles, properties and lands that they held.

Organised alphabetically, each entry begins with the name of the clan or family, a map locating key places, and information about the family and their origins. Following this are the castles, houses and lands associated with the family, along with location, National Grid Reference, description, history, ownership, and whether the place is accessible to the public or if accommodation is available. Websites and telephone numbers are listed for hundreds of castles, and each entry concludes with clan or family websites.

More than 650 drawings and photos enhance the text.

Other information in the appendices includes the development of the castle in Scotland with photographs, an illustrated glossary of castle terms, a glossary of titles and offices of state, and a map of Scotland, showing many cities, towns, villages and islands. Further reading concludes the book, along with a comprehensive index consisting of more than 4,000 entries, listing all the castles, properties and lands mentioned.

This is an essential resource and a fascinating read for anyone interested in clans and families, castles and mansions, or Scotland’s history.

Written, Printed and Published in Scotland.