In our favourite castles you may be called in to dinner by the bagpipes, you can negotiate the winding stone stair, see the stone or wood panelled walls that have witnessed the plan or execution of a few dastardly deeds, smell the candles and dine on good local fare. Clan Territory: The Scottish Borders; Clan Chief: The last Chief of Clan Armstrong - Archibald Armstrong of Mangerton – was hanged around 1610 for leading a cattle raid on Penrith. There are splendid fireplaces and traces of French influenced architecture. A combination, perhaps, of history, romanticism, spectacular settings, privacy and traditional service. A Word on Scottish Castles. The Macleods of Dunvegan have a long history dating back to the 13th century. Standing where the River Bogie meets the Deveron, on the outskirts of the market town of Huntly, the castle is now a ruin. Beyond the clan connections, the origins of other Scottish surnames are varied, but equally fascinating. An iconic Scottish Castle in Argyll, Scotland. The crest badges used by members of Scottish clans are based upon armorial bearings recorded by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland.The blazon of the heraldic crest is given, and the heraldic motto with its translation into English. The Gaelic connection can be seen in names such as Craig (from the Gaelic creag, which means crag or rocks) and Cameron (from cam and sròn (camshròin: crooked nose). Our aim is that your stay in a Scottish castle will be an authentic experience, one not to be forgotten. Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell and the iconic, must-see … Huntly Castle was the seat of the chief of Clan Gordon for 500 years. The Scottish clan MacLeod has its home at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye. The Estate centred on Branxholme (pronounced locally as "brank-sum") Scottish surnames. A castle was probably built by that Richard Scott after he had received grants of land at Rankilburn and Buccleuch (about 16 miles west of Hawick) when he was made ranger of Ettrick Forest. It is hard to define the allure of a Scottish castle. Clan Castles: Huntly Castle. Gilnockie Castle is a nearby ruin. Clan Castle: Gilnockie Tower is on the west bank of the River Esk. Stay in the heart of ancient Elliot Clan lands for a true Scottish Borders experience A sensitively restored bothy with fascinating Clan connections and a blissfully isolated rural setting. Richard swore loyalty to Edward I of England in 1296 (in the infamous Ragman Rolls") under the name ‘Richard Le Scot de Murthoxtoun’. Hire a Scottish Castle (or country house) Budget approximately £3000 GBP per night. Clan Castle Dounie Castle, near Kiltarlity in Inverness-shire was the seat of Clan Fraser from the end of the 13th century.