n Scotland, hiStory isn’t some
far-off notion reserved for school
books—it’s something you
inhabit with every step you take,
especially when you step into one
of the country’s countless castles.
When the Normans conquered
England in the 11th century, Scotland’s
King David I invited them to settle
on Scottish land. They did—and they
brought their castle-building tech-
niques with them.
It’s estimated that thousands of cas-
tles were built here over the next few
hundred years. More than a thousand
are still standing today as picturesque
ruins, hostels and luxury hotels, or fully
functioning places of residence. Kick
off your castle-hopping journey in the
capital city of Edinburgh.
The dramatic Eilean Donan Castle
Edinburgh
Perched high atop a 350-million-year-
old volcanic crag, Edinburgh Castle,
occupies a huge tract of land. It
includes St. Margaret’s Chapel—built
around 1130 and considered the oldest
building in the city—plus Scotland’s
National War Museum and the Crown
Room, which houses the Scottish
Crown Jewels.
Pack a lunch and hike up Arthur’s
Seat, a 250-metre-high hill in the cen-
tre of the city. Formed by an extinct
volcano, it’s a gentle climb and leads to
a panoramic view of Edinburgh. If you
prefer to go the cultured route, visit
the Scottis