Scotland is a land with a deep history of Viking raids, clan fighting and invasions by English kings meaning that it has been no stranger to warfare down through the ages.
To keep yourself secure in days of old meant huddling together with your kith and kin behind thick walls of stone and solid doors of oak.
This has meant there are hundreds of castles and strongholds that dot the landscape – leftovers of a violent past.
Though many of them are still intact such as Edinburgh and Stirling or have been converted into modern accommodation, many more are now little more than ruins.
Here are some of the most hauntingly beautiful you'll find across Scotland.
Keiss Castle
This hauntingly beautiful castle ruin stands alone on the edge of sheer cliffs overlooking Sinclair's Bay in Caithness and dates back to 17th century.
Castle Tioram, Loch Moidart
Pronounced 'Cheerum' this beautiful castle is found on the tidal island Eilean Tioram in Loch Moidart in Lochaber and is thought to date back to the 12th century.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe
One of the most photographed castles in Scotland, Kilchurn sits on the banks of Loch Awe and was first built in the mid-15th century as the base of the Campbells of Glenorchy.
Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire
These majestic ruins are surrounded on all sides by the North Sea and once played host to the likes of William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots.
Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness
One of the most recognisable castle ruins in Scotland, Urquhart Castle stands sentinel on the banks of Loch Ness and has often been used as a vantage point for people looking for the monster.
Ardvreck Castle, Assynt
The castle dates back to the 15th century and is surrounded by some truly stunning scenery in Sutherland.
Tantallon Castle, North Berwick
Perched dramatically on cliffs in North Berwick, Tantallon Castle was once the 14th-century stronghold of the Douglas family.
New Slains Castle, Aberdeenshire
This 16th-century tower house was rebuilt as a Scots Baronial mansion in the 1830s and is said to have partly inspired Bram Stoker's version of Dracula's Castle.
Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries and Galloway
This mighty stronghold in Dumfries and Galloway is one of Scotland's most unique strongholds, its triangular shape makes it unique among British castles.
Midhope Castle, East Lothian
Midhope Castle lies just 30 miles outside of Edinburgh and was used as an exterior film setting during both Season 1 and 2 of the hit show, the 16th-century townhouse doubled as Lallybroch.
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