Ruthven Barracks, Badenoch Scotland

Blair Castle and Gardens - Atholl, Scotland (2021)

Believed to date back to the 13th century, Blair Castle is home to the Murray Clan and provides the Garison for the private army for the Duke of Atholl, which is the only private army in Europe.

Most of the past Dukes of Atholl are buried surrounding St. Brides Kirk, an old ruined village church which fell into disuse in 1823 when the village was relocated.

The castle has a long history with the Jacobite uprising and was held by them for some time, along with holding significant historical events on the grounds between the Jacobite Highland chiefs.

New Slains Castle - Cruden Bay, Scotland (2020)

Originally built in the 1600s Slains Castle sits on the coast of Aberdeenshire in Scotland looking out to the North Sea. It has gone under multiple renovations in its time from 1707 to the 1830s when it was remodelled.

Bram Stoker was a visitor of the home and used certain rooms as influence for Count Dracula's castle. More specifically the octagonal hall pictured in the third image.

In 2004 to 2009 plans to restore the building and turn it into holiday apartments was approved but put on hold due to the economic crisis in 2009. It is now in ownership limbo.

The castle is abandoned with no safety measures or historical information on site like most castle ruins in the area or Scotland as a whole. I personally climbed half way up the remaining turret before turning back due to the large open windows above a sheer drop to the rocks below. However, I did go to the first floor where you can walk around above one of the front rooms.