New sixth edition in preparation (now indexed but still checking to do): more than 5,843 sites ( 1,700 additional sites), hundreds more illustrations, updated family-name index, comprehensive online map and further indexes, and much much more.
Due June 2025, and a huge amount of work to do … we are in the process of updating the website as of 8/4/2025.
If you have any questions or comments please contact us
Welcome to the website for The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry, the sixth edition of which is due to be published by Goblinshead in June 2025.
The cover is displayed above.
This acclaimed and popular book is the definitive and most comprehensive work available, the ‘Bible of Scottish Castles’ and a ‘a proud and worthy successor to MacGibbon and Ross’.
Covering all of Scotland’s iconic wealth of castles, from daunting fortresses to piles of stones, this new edition features some 5,843 entries, 1,700 more than the fifth edition.
Other improvements are many more illustrations, a fully updated family-name index, property index, and much much more, plus an on-line interactive map and comprehensive indexes. The 64-page colour section has around 120 full colour plates.
The ISBN is 9781899874637, and the price £65.00.
If you want to contact us please do so at info@thecastlesofscotland.co.uk
40 global ratings on Amazon for previous editions ***** (4.6 stars)*
*One person gave ***, complaining there were too many castles…
400 or so of the best castles, towers, historic houses and stately homes: most may be visited, either as visitor attractions, gardens, hotels, places that offer accommodation or weddings venues. The Best Castles section with Top 20 has been added with a selection of the best, along with Outlander sites and traffic top 20s, most interesting or scenic of castles, towers, historic houses, mansions and other places.
The sixth edition is the culmination of thirty-four years of research, compiling, editing, and updating. Featuring some 5,843 entries, 1,700 more than the previous edition, the book runs to 960 text pages with c.1200 b&w drawings and photos and 64 pages of full-colour photos.
More information about what was new in the sixth editon can be found here.
Not only covering all the castles, towers and fortified houses of Scotland, also included are hundreds of mansions, historic houses, stately homes, and many other properties and lands.
Arranged alphabetically, each entry has the NGR, postcode, parish, and website, then description, architecture and development, both inside and out, depictions on old maps, family and notable owners, history and sieges, as well as ghosts and gruesome or amusing tales.
Other features of the book include an updated index by clan and family name, property index, development of the castle in Scotland, and much more.
An interactive online map locates all the places with links to pages on the website. Other useful features online will be invaluable indexes for opening, accommodation providers, wedding venues, and a full index of castle names and cross-references with 10,000+ entries.
Printed and published in Scotland.
AN INDISPENSABLE REFERENCE AND ENGROSSING READ
FOR ALL CASTLE ENTHUSIASTS AND ANYONE
INTERESTED IN SCOTTISH HISTORY