There are many more castles within a short distance of Nairn. Some are now ruins, some are home to businesses and some are run as hotels or accommodation.
East
16 miles to the east lies
Blervie
Castle
. Built around 1600 and home to the
Dunbar
family, this tower is now in ruins.
23 miles outside Nairn lies the ruins of
Duffus
Castle
. This has been the site of a castle since AD1150, although the present building dates back to the 14th Century.
56 miles to the east of Nairn you will find Fordyce Castle, which offers accommodation facilities. Built in 1592 by the wealthy local laird, Thomas Menzies of Dunn, the castle is a typical 16th century laird’s house with slightly later additions.
South
Just 2.5 miles out of Nairn you can find Rait Castle. Now in ruins, it is an excellent example of a late 13th century hall-house. It is haunted by a young woman who fell from one of the window ledges after having her hands cut off.
West
Eight miles to the west of Nairn is
Dalcross
Castle
. Built in 1621 by the 8th Lord Lovat, it was the mustering point of the government troops before the
Battle
of Culloden in 1746. It has been home to the Clan Fraser and Clan Mackintosh and is currently privately owned and available for self catering accommodation.
Castle Stuart stands close by, 11 miles from Nairn. Currently available as accommodation, this haunted castle was built in the 17th century.
Situated on the banks of Loch Ness, 22 miles from Nairn, is
Aldourie
Castle
. Built in the 17th century, this B-listed castle was originally a laird’s house. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of the Gray Lady. In 1996, the castle hosted the premiere party for the film ‘Loch Ness’, starring Ted Danson and Joely Richardson.
Further west, 28 miles from Nairn, is Moniack Castle. It is home to Highland Wineries and is open to visitors.
North-west
Having passed through
Inverness
and over the
Kessock
Bridge
, you will find Tulloch Castle, 28 miles from Nairn. Now run as a hotel, this 12th century castle was a home to the Clan Davidson until 1917. It has a resident ghost as well as secret tunnels that once led to
Dingwall
Castle
.
Further north, 57 miles north-west of Nairn, you can see Dornoch Castle. Built in the 15th century, parts of the castle and all records were destroyed in a siege in 1570. Its origins cannot be exact, but it does have a colourful history and was home to the courthouse and jail in the 1800s. The castle is currently run as a hotel.
Carbisdale Castle is 60 miles away. Built between 1906 and 1917 for the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, it is currently run as a youth hostel.
Also in Sutherland, 66 miles out of Nairn, is Dunrobin Castle. Dating in part from the early 1300s, it is the largest house in the northern
Highlands
and is one of ’s oldest continuously inhabited houses. It is open to visitors from April to October.
