All those childhood dreams and fantasies of seeing a real life castle can easily come true by traveling to Scotland, a place that is believed to have around 2,000 castles in all shapes and sizes. Much of the country’s history is embedded in the walls of these castles, some of which lay in ruins today, but the ones that still stand provide an escape of reality and an entrance into a fairytale believed in as a child.
One castle that fits the description of a fairytale setting is Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. As if recreated out of a storybook, Culzean Castle is perched on a cliff, over-looking the Firth of Clyde, a body of water that houses the Isle of Arran which provides a marvelous view of the mountains.
Culzean Castle was dubbed President Eisenhower’s ‘Scottish White House’ when the top floor was given to Eisenhower in 1945 as a thanks from the Scottish people for his time served as General. President Eisenhower wrote of Culzean as ‘a place I [Eisenhower] can relax.’ A guided tour can educate visitors of the history and give a look into the many features of the 600 acre land. Furthermore, there are many activities available to take part in; activities which range from horse riding to sailing, made possible by the variety of the terrain.
For those who desire an extended stay, rooms and suites are available for lodging inside the castle. These rooms and suites offer double and single occupancy, all of which contain spectacular views of the castle and beyond. Culzean Castle also offers booking for weddings; fountains, sandy beaches and lush forests provide an enchanting backdrop for a fairytale wedding dream come true.
And what is a fairytale without a villain? Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland has more than its fair share of bloody history and subsequently is the location of an array of paranormal activity.
This castle, which sits on an extinct volcano, overlooks the city of Edinburgh which provides the basis of its history. Edinburgh Castle has been used as a fort for Iron Age warriors, fought over by Scots and the English, and has seen the life and death of royalty. All of these events lead many to believe that a ghost from every century haunts the grounds of Edinburgh Castle. Visitors and workers have reported seeing apparitions, being touched and pulled and experiencing temperature drops in the air around them, all while roaming the halls of the castle. The most common paranormal activities are the ghosts of a young headless drummer boy, prisoners of war, and a hound that roams the dog cemetery of the grounds.
The Castle offers multiple luxurious venues for weddings, and even offers a private setting for a romantic marriage proposal upon request. Edinburgh Castle also can be hired privately for filming, photography and for holding dinner receptions, business presentations and the like. A guided tour, or an audio tour offered in eight different languages, educates visitors of the rich and extensive history of the Castle.
Other castles to visit for those who care to have an enchanting time are the Glamis Castle, mentioned as the castle of Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play, Eileen Donan, whose charming island location makes it the most photographed castle in Scotland. And for others who don’t mind a good scare Ballindalloch Castle, which is said to be one of the most haunted castles in Scotland and is a castle that deserves to be number one on your ‘to visit list’. Also it’s best not to forget to drop by Urquhart Castle, a castle that sits in the Highlands of Scotland overlooking Loch Ness. Be sure to say “Hi!” to darling ole Nessie for me!
