Royal Castle of Tarbert - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Skipness Castle stands on the east side of the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, near the village of Skipness. Together with the nearby Kilbrannan Chapel it is a scheduled ancient monument. It is impressive as it has managed to survive for more than seven centuries in a surprisingly intact state. The original structure was a basic two-storey Hall House surrounded by a small curtain wall.

A majestic historical ruin located on the eastern shore of Loch Sween, in Knapdale. Castle Sween is thought to be one of the earliest stone castles built in Scotland, having been built in the late 11th century. The castle's towers were later additions to wooden structures which have since vanished. To its west is a small islet cleared to act as a boat landing, illustrating the vital importance of the sea as a major transport link.

Lochranza Castle is one of three fortifications on the Isle of Arran and is located on the north end of the island upon a gravel spit jutting out into Loch Ranza. The castle originally took the form of a two storey hall house and would have been similar in style to contemporary MacSween strongholds at Skipness and Sween. The entrance was originally on the first floor providing direct access into the Great Hall and the Lordly accommodation. The ground floor consisted of storage.

Lochranza Golf Course is a 9 hole pay-and-play course. It lies across the road from the Isle of Arran Distillery amid the mountain and loch scenery of Arran's Northend, and adjacent to Lochranza Campsite. A mainly flat parkland course with unusual water hazards, it is famous for the wild red deer that graze it. Lochranza lies in a north-west facing glen and enjoys long summer sunsets through May, June and July.

The award winning Lochranza Distillery is one of two distilleries that you can visit during your trip to the Isle of Arran. Their sister distillery at Lagg is also open for visitors to tour and taste some of the delicious whisky that the island produces. As one of the few independent distilleries in Scotland - and one that proudly follows traditional practice - the team in Lochranza promises a particularly fascinating experience

Rothesay Castle on the Isle of Bute was situated at a friction point between the westward expansion of the Kingdom of Scotland and territory owned by the King of Norway. The castle comprises a huge curtain wall, strengthened by four round towers, together with a 16th-century forework, the whole surrounded by a broad moat. Built by the Stewart family to defend against invading Norwegian fleets, Rothesay’s immense circular curtain wall makes it unique in Scotland.