Rothesay Castle
Exceptionally old & atmospheric
Rothesay Castle has the distinction of being one of only two surviving moated castles in Scotland and its only castle with a circular courtyard. All this goes back to 1098 when there were Vikings to contend with hereabouts.
A couple of centuries later things were remodelled with the addition of drum towers and curtain walls.
The castle lies on the Isle of Bute: most easily reached via ferry (17 daily; 35mins) from Wemyss Bay (6 Shore Rd; PA18 6AR).
Text © Christian Williams
Images by Ashley Van Haeften, James McCoy