Dunrobin Castle

Perched above the North Sea in Sutherland, Dunrobin Castle greets you with a fairytale silhouette of spires and turrets, more reminiscent of the Loire Valley than the Highlands, yet perfectly at home in this wild northern landscape. It proudly holds the title of Scotland’s most northerly great house.For more than 700 years, Dunrobin Castle has been the cherished home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland, its story unfolding through centuries of change. The castle’s enchanting appearance today, with its French chateau-style roofline, turrets and pepper-pot towers, was shaped in the 1840s by Sir Charles Barry, the architect behind the Houses of Parliament, for the 2nd Duke of Sutherland.The formal parterre gardens, designed in the French style and set on terraces above the sea, are truly a sight to behold - especially in summer, when vibrant bedding displays are at their best. Seasonal falconry displays bring the gardens to life, while inside, the castle museum reveals a fascinating collection of archaeological treasures, taxidermy and family heirlooms. Dunrobin is a highlight of the North Coast 500 and well worth a visit in its own right.