Museum, Ruins
Situated on the edge of Loch Ness, 21 miles (34km) southwest of Inverness, Urquhart Castle was once one of Scotland’s largest castles. Its ruins include a tower house with a fantastic view over the Great Glen. The castle dates back to between the 13th and 16th century and played a role in the Wars of Scottish Independence (14th century). It then became a royal castle and was raided several times by the MacDonald Earls of Ross. The castle was abandoned in the 17th century, but, now that its ruins are open to visitors, it is one of the most visited castles in Scotland.