Castles, history, and views. What more can you ask for? Explore Western Scotland with me.
Days 18-19 of my Around Great Britain adventure led me out of the fantastic Scottish Highlands into the Scottish Lowlands. After three days of amazing views of the Highlands, it was a big change exploring fixed places, rather than taking photos at random spots along the road.
The best part of these two days was all the castles, some in ruins and others now stately manors. I even fit in a ruined abbey. It was a great two days to round out my visit to Scotland.
The route I took on Days 18-19 on my Around Great Britain in 30 days adventure.
Day 18, Stop 1: the Road to Fort Williams
I was technically still in the Highlands for much of the first day. My first destination was a ruined castle near Fort Williams, but I found some wonderful scenery along the way.
Gorgeous area of the country, that’s for sure.
Beautiful roadside waterfall.
Just simply amazing.
Stop 2: Inverlochy Castle
Just outside of Fort Williams is the ruins of Inverlochy Castle. Although in ruins today, this castle was one of the most important in Scottish history. It dates back to the 13th century and was in use until 1654, when it was replaced by Fort William, a modern fort. The castle played its last part in history during the Civil Wars of the 1640s when Oliver Cromwell took over control of the English government, leading to the short-lived English Republic and the beheading of King Charles I.
Inverlochy Castle still has some impressive towers.
The entry to the castle.
Much of the interior no longer remains.
Stop 3: Inveraray Castle
Moving south from Fort Williams to Inveraray Castle. Of course, I saw some beautiful scenery along the way.
I’m not sure where I took this, but it’s a loch and it’s pretty.
A pretty loch with mountains.
I do know where I took this. This is Kilchurn Castle, which was built in the 15th century. I didn’t have time to stop unfortunately. It requires a bit of a walk to reach.
Finally, I arrive at Inveraray Castle, the seat of Clan Campbell. This castle is more of a stately manor house than a castle. First of all, construction started in 1743, well past the time frame castles where actually used for defense. Second, it is very fancy inside and has a huge weapons collection. The Dukes of Argyll still live here with their families in separate apartments within the castle.
The sun was not cooperating with me. The castle still kind of looks like a castle at least. No photos were allowed inside.
Day 19, Stop 1: Culzean Castle
Now onto Day 19. I now am officially in the Lowlands of Scotland, south of Glasgow. I stayed in the outskirts of the city, but I didn’t travel into the city center. It was just too late at night, and I needed an early start in the morning.
My first stop of the day was Culzean Castle, another stately manor. It can be found on the coast of Ayrshire in Southwestern Scotland, not much south of Ayr. They didn’t even really try to make this castle really look like a castle, like Inveraray. It was supposed to be an extravagant country house, which was started at the end of the 18th century.
Culzean Castle has been run by the National Trust of Scotland since 1945 Clan Kennedy gave it up for tax reasons. (That must have been some large tax bill.) As part of the deal Dwight D. Eisenhower was given an apartment at the top of the castle at the end of WWII. He stayed there four times, including once during his presidency.
The sun peaked out just in time for this picture. The castle was fabulous. No pictures of course since it was run by the National Trust.
Stop 2: Sweetheart Abbey
Sweetheart Abbey was founded by Dervorguilla of Galloway (wow, what a name!) in memory of her husband John de Balliol. She kept his embalmed heart in a casket of ivory and silvery with her for the rest of her life. The casket was buried with here at the abbey. The abbey survived in use until 1624.
They were doing some construction work on the interior of the abbey so I couldn’t go inside, but the views from outside were still great.
The abbey is still in pretty good shape to be honest. That lens flair is bothering me. Ah, my pre-photographer days.
I love these arches in the red local stone.
The roofs may be gone, but the walls are in fantastic shape. The abbey church looks like it wasn’t robbed out. It was common for local people to deconstruct ruined buildings and reuse the stones to make houses and walls for pastures. However, the cloisters and the other abbey buildings are in total ruin.
Stop 3: Caerlaverock Castle
Caerlaverock Castle is one of the most famous castles in Scotland even if you have never actually heard of it and its confusing name.
You’ve probably have seen this in some movie or in an advertisement. I have at least.
Let’s try a side view.
Well, even if you haven’t seen it somewhere, it is an amazing castle that was fun to explore. Of course, it was raining, because Scotland.
It has a moat. Just that makes this castle amazing. It was first built in the 13th century and was the stronghold of the Maxwell family until the 17th century when the castle was abandoned. The castle was besieged for the last time in 1640, leaving it to ruin.
I had never seen a castle like Caerlaverock, and still haven’t. The area in the front of the castle is like three towers smashed together to make one giant façade. This is an upshot of one of the towers. You can still make out where the old wooden floors were (look at the small rectangular divots).
Before the castle was abandoned, the Maxwells tried to class the place up with some classical decorations. Apparently, I was a fine home at one time.
The central tower, next to the “newer” classical house.
One of the rear towers.
An older part of the castle in the rear. The stones on the ground were super slippery in the rain.
I had a great two days exploring the last bit of Scotland on my trip. Western Scotland is often overlooked by the central Highlands and Edinburgh, but it is truly a great place to explore Scotland’s history and scenery. Who doesn’t love castles and manor houses and waterfalls?
Check out Day 20 where I visit Carlisle and Penrith, England.
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Start at the beginning of my 30 days around Great Britain!
