Early Scottish castles were stone tower houses and mottes with protective baileys. By the 13th century, curtain-walled castles with circular towers became more common. This made them stronger.

The castle was originally built in the 13th century by Alexander II of Scotland to guard the area against possible Viking invasions. The castle stood in grandeur for hundreds of years until the ...

Explore the 10 largest castles in the world, ranked by area. From Poland’s Malbork Castle to India’s Mehrangarh Fort, discover these grand historic fortresses.