Scotland has no shortage of beautiful castles, many of which can be reached from Glasgow city centre in less than an hour.
When the buzz of the city gets a little too much, or the summer heat calls for a day out - why not take advantage of one of the many strongholds that are just a short car journey away?
We've put together a list of nine beautiful castles, or castle ruins, that make for a perfect day out. Check out the list below.
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1. Dalnair Castle
A relatively new structure in terms of castles, Dalnair House has stood outside the village of Croftamie, Stirlingshire since 1884.
Right on the edge of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the castle was built for a Glaswegian merchant named Thomas Brown - on the site of the much smaller, former Ednrickbank House. The property survived a major fire in 1917, before being handed to the Glasgow Western Hospital Board for a nurses' home.
A Scottish property developer is currently refurbishing the baronial castle into apartments, though a walk round the grounds makes for a perfect day out. The castle, just over 40 minutes from the city centre, is also a stone's throw away from the Devil’s Pulpit.
2. Mugdock and Craigend Castles
Both sitting in Mugdock Country Park, the ruined castles of Mugdock and Craigend Castles are a 15 minute walk from each other - through a peaceful, wooded area.
It’s unclear how old the castles are, but Mugdock Castle is first mentioned in a document from 1372. Inside was a courtyard, a jail and a courthouse - though all that stands now is the walls.
Craigend Castle has changed hands many times since the medieval period, and was once purchased by a Glasgow businessman and his zoologist son, who opened a zoo at the castle and stables in 1949 - with various exotic animals. It failed to bring in the visitors needed, and closed in 1955.
Mugdock Country Park is just over thirty minutes from Glasgow’s city centre, with two car parks and several walking routes available to make your way round the grounds.
3. Glengarnock Castle
Overlooking the River Garnock around two miles north of Kilbirnie, Glergarnock Castle is another ruined castle which is thought to date back to the 12th century.
A little more of a struggle to reach, the ruins are accessed along thin tracks and fields - and caution is recommended on a trip to Glengarnock. The castle is just over 40 minutes from the city centre.
4. Rowallan Old Castle
Under half an hour south of Glasgow, Rowallan Old Castle dates back to the 12th century - and while the grounds are fully accessible, the castle itself can be found on AirBnB.
The structure has been restored, with four bedrooms available in the unique space. Keeping its original features, a stay in Rowallan will cost you £1,200 a night.
5. Craignethan Castle
Built around 1530, Craignethan Castle sits above the River Nethan around two miles west of Crossford.
Considered an excellent example of sophisticated artillery fortification by Historic Environment Scotland, it was designed by James Hamilton of Finnart - who was also responsible for Blackness Castle and the renaissance facades of Linlithgow Palace.
Hamilton was executed in 1540 for treason, and his properties were forfeit to the crown. Today, the castle has been beautifully preserved and offers stunning views of the grounds - 40 minutes from Glasgow.
6. Newark Castle
Sited on the south shore of the River Clyde in Port Glasgow, Newark Castle was built in 1478 by George Maxwell.
The original castle had a tower house, with a walled enclosure and gatehouse - and its thought that there would have been buildings such as a bakehouse and brew house inside the enclosure. For centuries, the location was used for seagoing ships and saw the growth of Port Glasgow consume the castle.
When ships came further down the Clyde into Glasgow, the area became a shipbuilding centre. Many shipyards were removed from Port Glasgow in the 1980s, opening up scenic views of the castle and across the Clyde.
Newark is another castle that's just over half an hour from the city centre.
7. Torwood Castle
A 16th century ruin, Torwood Castle sits near the village of Torwood in the Falkirk area.
The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland originally listed its level of risk as low, but raised that level to moderate in 2019 after seeing signs of neglect. Based on carvings found on the site, the castle is estimated to have been built in 1566.
The Torwood Castle Charitable Trust are currently hoping to secure Torwood Castle, the only castle left in the Falkirk council area from falling to rubble. It sits just half an hour from Glasgow’s centre.
8. Balloch Castle
At the southern tip of Loch Lomond, Balloch Castle sits just over 45 minutes from Glasgow’s city centre.
The old Balloch castle was demolished in the 19th century, and rebuilt by John Buchanan of Ardoch. It was bought in 1915 by Glasgow City Corporation, and has been leased by West Dunbartonshire Council since 1975.
A category A listed building, the castle is also included on the Buildings at Risk Register. The grounds include two main pleasure gardens, which stretch down to the loch shore - perfect for a summer's afternoon.
9. Lee Castle
Lee Castle, which sits in South Lanarkshire, is one of the most grand structures included in this list.
Since its establishment in the 13th century, it was rebuilt in the 19th century - and is currently protected as a category B listed building. Lee Castle is a private residence and is not open for tours - though is well worth a visit just to take a look at the stunning architecture, and sits 45 minutes drive from Glasgow.
