Listing Type: Castle

Alloa Tower

This fourteenth century tower house, much altered internally, was the birthplace of John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, leader of the 1715 Jacobite Rising. He was nicknamed 'Bobbing John' for his tendency to switch from faction to faction. The tower interior has been restored to its appearance in 1712 and is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

Access

Opening hours (please check). Admission charge. Free to NTS members.

Website

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/alloa-tower

Contact

Email: alloatower@nts.org.uk
Tel:01259211701

Area of interest
1715

Fingask Castle

This 16th century tower house is the home of the Thriepland family. David Thriepland joined the Jacobite Rising of 1715. James VIII, the Old Pretender, stayed at Fingask twice in 1716 and in 1745 Prince Charles Edward visited the house. David, the elder son, was killed at the Battle of Prestonpans. His brother Stuart was physician to the Prince. The castle was sacked and partially demolished in 1746. Both Prince Charles Edward and his father are said to have approached the castle up the long yew avenue, known as the King’s Walk.

Access

Not usually open to the public. Occasional open days and events.

Website

https://www.fingaskcastle.co.uk/

Contact

Phone: 01821 670 777
email: info@fingaskcastle.com

Elcho Castle

One of Scotland’s best-preserved 16th-century tower houses. The Wemyss family, who were traditionally loyal to the Stuarts had their main home at Wemyss Castle in Fife. However, Lord Elcho, the heir to the 5th Earl of Wemyss, almost certainly lived at Elcho Castle for part of his upbringing and Elcho was already closely associated with James VIII and III before the '45; James admitted him to the Royal Company of Archers in 1741 and appointed him Colonel of Dragoons in 1744. Elcho commanded Prince Charles Edward’s Life Guards during the '45. He would recognise the castle today. Now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Due to access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure while we high level masonry inspections are carried out, there is currently no visitor access to this site.

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/elcho-castle/

Contact

Tel: 01738 639 998

Area of interest
1745

Dunstaffnage Castle

One of Scotland's oldest stone castles. It housed Government troops during the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite risings. Late in 1746, Flora MacDonald was arrested for assisting the escape of Prince Charles Edward and brought to Dunstaffnage. She remained there for just a few days, before being moved to the Tower of London. She was released the following year. The castle is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Opening hours. Admission charge. Free to HS members.

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dunstaffnage-castle-and-chapel/overview/

Contact

Phone: 01631 562 465

Doune Castle

The impressive castle at Doune is strategically sited to cover a crossing of the River Forth. It was garrisoned by government troops in 1689 and 1715 but in 1745, while the Government controlled the main crossing at Stirling, Doune was garrisoned by the Jacobites. It was briefly used as a prison for government troops captured at the battle of Falkirk in 1746. Some of these prisoners escaped from rooms above the kitchen by using knotted bedsheets as a rope. It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Opening hours. Admission charge. Free to HS members. Exterior accessible at all times.

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/doune-castle/

Contact

Phone: 01786 841742

Area of interest
1689 1715 1745

Black Watch Museum, Perth

Historic Balhousie Castle is both the home of The Black Watch and the unique setting for their regimental museum. The castle was owned by the Hay family, the Earls of Kinnoull. The Seventh Earl and his heir were imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle in 1715 for their Jacobite sympathies. The Black Watch was founded in 1739 as one of the companies that provided a 'watch' over the Highland clans. It was known in Gaelic as Am Freiceadan Dubh, 'the dark or 'black watch. The displays illustrate the history of the regiment.

Access

Opening hours. Admission charge. Parking, café, shop.

Website

https://theblackwatch.co.uk/

Contact

Phone: 01738 638152
Email: enquiries@theblackwatch.co.uk

Area of interest
1745 Collection

Eilean Donan Castle

The ancient castle was garrisoned by Government troops in 1715 but retaken by the Jacobites before the battle of Sheriffmuir. In 1719 the Jacobite garrison was subjected to a three day naval bombardment and then demolition that left the castle derelict for two hundred years . A twenty-year rebuilding project was completed in 1932.

Access

Opening hours (seasonal). Admission charge. Parking, shop, café.

Website

https://www.eileandonancastle.com/

Contact

email: info@eileandonancastle.com
Tel: 01599 555202
Fax: 01599 555262

Area of interest
1715 1719

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh's medieval fortress defences were rebuilt and enhanced in response to the Jacobite Risings of 1689–1746. The castle was briefly held for the Jacobites in 1689, was almost captured at the start of the 1715 Rising and, although the city was captured by the the Jacobites in 1745, the castle never fell. Information panels mention the Jacobite incidents and there is a display of weapons in the great hall. Plaques mark the point on Castle Rock where Viscount Dundee began his climb up to see the Duke of Gordon and another marks the postern tower on the castle walls where Dundee and Gordon actually met and spoke.

Access

In the centre of Edinburgh, several public transport options. No parking at the castle. Castle Terrace is the nearest car park. Opening hours. Admission charge. Free to HS members. Shops and catering on site.

Website

https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/

Contact

Phone: +44 (0)131 225 9846

Corgarff Castle

This medieval tower house was burnt by the Jacobites in 1689 and 1690. In 1746, after Culloden, it was refitted and refortified as a barracks for a Government garrison of about fifty.

Access

Opening hours (seasonal). Admission charge. Free to HS members. Please note that this site is currently closed. Free to view from grounds.

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/corgarff-castle/

Contact

Phone: 01975 651 460

Area of interest
1689 1745