Country Life and the Scottish Castle
Country Life explores the splendid strongholds of Scotland.


The walls, turrets and towers of Scottish castles great and small, speak of the tumultuous history of the Scottish nation. Each played an important role in Scotland's heritage and offer a vivid insight into the past. Scattered dramatically across the Scottish landscape, these splendid castles, towers and fortified houses capture our imagination and whisper of romance and legend.
The cover of Country Life August 3, 1912 Click the image above to purchase from the Country Life Picture Library
Since its launch in 1897, Country Life has regularly ventured north of the border to report on these magnificent structures across its architectural pages. In more recent years, we have published The Scottish issue - an annual homage to the beauty of Scotland.
For the first time, we are publishing a selection of these Scottish architectural pieces online.
ARCHIVE ARTICLES:
BALMORAL CASTLE: A HIGHLAND PARADISE BY MARY MIERS (FREE PDF DOWNLOAD)
BLAIR CASTLE: THE SEAT OF THE DUKES OF ATHOLL , PART 1 BY ARTHUR OSWALD
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
CRAIGIEVAR CASTLE: THE SEAT OF SIR JOHN FORBES, BART., NOW LORD SEMPILL BY PETER GRAHAM
CULZEAN CASTLE: THE SEAT OF THE MARQUESS OF AILSA, PART 1 BY ARTHUR T. BOLTON
EILEAN DONAN CASTLE: THE PROPERTY OF THE CONCHRA CHARITABLE TRUST BY ANTONY WOODWARD
GLAMIS CASTLE: THE SEAT OF THE EARL OF STRATHMORE, PART 1 BY OLIVER HILL
HOLYROODHOUSE: SCOTLAND'S ROYAL PALACE BY SIMON THURLEY (FREE PDF DOWNLOAD)
SCONE PALACE: THE SEAT OF THE EARL OF MANSFIELD AND MANSFIELD, PART 1 BY JOHN CORNFORTH
STIRLING CASTLE: RENAISSANCE OF A ROYAL PALACE BY JOHN GOODALL
Agnes has worked for Country Life in various guises — across print, digital and specialist editorial projects — before finally finding her spiritual home on the Features Desk. A graduate of Central St. Martins College of Art & Design she has worked on luxury titles including GQ and Wallpaper* and has written for Condé Nast Contract Publishing, Horse & Hound, Esquire and The Independent on Sunday. She is currently writing a book about dogs, due to be published by Rizzoli New York in September 2025.
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