Over the centuries around 23 different siege attempts were made on Edinburgh Castle – making it the most besieged place in Europe.
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Attacks on Edinburgh CastleAs a military stronghold and the most prestigious building in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh Castle was captured and recaptured many times. In fact, it's been besieged more than any other place in Britain, with 23 recorded attempts to 'capture the castle'.
Hermitage Castle is found in a beautiful rural location in Liddesdale and its turbulent history has led to it being described as 'the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain'. Partly restored in the 19th century, the castle was originally built by Lord de Soules in the 1240s.
Apparently, the oldest castle still standing in Scotland that can be dated is Castle Sween. It was built in the 1100s along the eastern shore of Loch Sween, in Knapdale, Argyll. The oldest continuously inhabited castle in the country though is Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral home of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years.
Which UK castle reigns as the oldest? We delved into our research to discover that Pevensey Castle in east Sussex steals the title as the oldest castle in the UK. Built in the year 280CE, it is a medieval castle and former Roman Saxon Shore fort.
Castle of Zafra, Campillo de DuenasThis partly restored castle in Spain was built in the late 12th century or early 13th century. It holds the distinction of never being conquered.
Beaumaris on the island of Anglesey is famous as the greatest castle never built. It was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales – and perhaps his masterpiece.
At 900 years old, Windsor Castle is the largest occupied castle and oldest official royal residence in the world. Windsor Castle is much more than a castle; the grounds include several homes, a large church and the royal palace. Situated 20 miles west of London, it is also the weekend home of Queen Elizabeth II.
Hermit's Castle is possibly the most unusual of all Scotland's castles. It is certainly the smallest and the newest. It was built by David Scott, an English architect in the 1950s and was designed to blend in with the surrounding rocks so don't be surprised if you have difficulty spotting it.
It's thought that there were once a staggering 3,000 castles across Scotland.Today, they number closer to 1,500. They lie ready to excite visitors with enthralling legends, well-kept gardens, and incredible views.