The Highlands is home to clans with powerful pasts and intriguing histories. From Scottish Gaelic 'clann', these kinship groups consisted of both blood relatives and also those such as tenants who took their chief's surname.
Whether you have a clan connection or are interested in the history of clans, read on to discover museum collections and castles which are current or previous ancestral homes.
Learn about the clan and their connection to the Jacobite cause. The museum opened in 1952 and was refurbished in 2020.
It has a large collection of artefacts, objects and documents connected with the clan including weapons and the prized Black Chanter. It also tells the story of famous Macphersons and their achievements in science, the military, the arts and sport.
You can find out more by viewing their Museum Video Tour as well as searching the Macpherson Electronic Museum which is a virtual tour of selected Museum artefacts.
Transport: 10 minutes' walk from Newtonmore train station.
See our Guide to Newtonmore for other places to visit, as well as accommodation and places to eat.
Clan Macpherson Museum
CLAN MURRAY OF ATHOLL, BLAIR CASTLE AND GARDENS
This is the best visitor attraction we have visited and the best value for money.
Blair Castle is the seat of the Dukes of Atholl and home to Europe's only private army, the Atholl Highlanders. This is a picturesque white castle which was started in 1269 and progressively developed since then, set in beautiful grounds with mountains in the background.
Inside the castle a self-guided tour will take you on a visit to over 30 different rooms.
The gardens include a fantastic 9 acre walled garden, woodland walks with some of Britain's tallest trees, a sculpture trail, red deer park, field of Highland Coos, and a ruined Kirk which is the resting place of Jacobite leader Bonnie Dundee. There is also a woodland adventure playground for children.
You can visit the castle and grounds, or grounds only. Even if you visit the grounds only, there is so much to see. Those with grounds only tickets also have access to the restaurant, shop and toilets.
On our most recent visit with a grounds only ticket we spent 3 hours here and could easily have stayed longer; visiting the castle and grounds you could spend the whole day here.
Transport: 15 minutes' walk from Blair Atholl train station. If you visit the castle late in the day, the main driveway gates will be closed when you leave. However, it is still possible to get out that way through them as a pedestrian, don't follow the cars leaving the long way!
See our Guide to the picturesque village of Blair Atholl for other places to visit, as well as accommodation and places to eat.
Prepare for lots of photos, we had a difficult time cutting it down to just these...
What a glorious setting
A reminder of its army connection
If you're lucky you will hear a piper
Banvie burn flows through the grounds
Can you spot the thatched duck house in the walled garden?
Lazy summer days...
The deer are likely to be close up
Handsome fellow
Don't get dizzy looking at the tall trees
16th century St Bride's Church
The seat of Clan Mackenzie and still home to the current chief. This magnificent castle is set in wooded grounds which contain several historical and significant trees including a Spanish chestnut with the oldest recorded planting date in Scotland.
It is open on at least 25 days over the season during which is possible to explore the castle and grounds including the woodland walk. The castle is 20 minutes' walk from the village square.
Transport: Train to Dingwall. Then 20 minutes' bus journey to Strathpeffer followed by 20 minutes' walk from the village square.
See our Guide to the attractive village of Strathpeffer for other places to visit, as well as accommodation and where to eat.
TAIN & DISTRICT MUSEUM AND CLAN ROSS CENTRE
This museum has an impressive collection of local artifacts, including locally produced silverware from the 18th and 19th century and a collection of Clan Ross items.
Transport: 5 minutes' walk from Tain train station.
See our Guide to Tain for other places to visit, as well as accommodation and restaurants.
Tain and District Museum
CLAN SUTHERLAND, DUNROBIN CASTLE
Dunrobin Castle is known as the fairytale castle and is a popular attraction - advanced booking is recommended. It is the largest private residence in the north of Scotland and is set in its own woodland overlooking the sea. It has been home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland since 1401.
Most of the interior of the castle is open to the public. Outside, the formal gardens are amazing in summer and are also the location for falconry displays.
Also in the gardens is the castle museum. With displays of natural history and archaeology, including 1500 year old Pictish stones, it is a nationally important private collection.
Be aware the museum has a large collection of taxidermy so may not be to everyone's taste - it wasn't our favourite part. If possible choose a warm day for your visit as it is cold inside the castle.
There is also a tearoom and a shop. To fully explore the castle and the grounds would take a whole day.
Transport: From April to October the train makes a special stop on request at the picturesque Dunrobin Castle station. This is the only remaining private railway station in Britain, dating from 1874.
The building was the private waiting room for the Duke of Sutherland. From here it is 5 minutes' walk to the castle entrance.
See our Guide to the pleasant seaside village of Golspie for other places to visit, as well as accommodation and where to eat.
Dunrobin Castle
The formal gardens with falconry display
Dunrobin Castle private train station
See our Guide to the attractive town of Oban, seafood capital of Scotland and gateway to the isles, for other places to visit, as well as accommodation and restaurants.
CLAN MACDOUGALL, DUNSTAFFNAGE CASTLE AND CHAPEL
The castle is located in nearby Dunbeg overlooking Firth of Lorn. It is one of Scotland’s oldest stone castles, built in the 13th century for the powerful MacDougalls.
It was besieged by Robert the Bruce around 1308 and in 1746 held Flora MacDonald for a few days after her arrest for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape.
The Northwest tower is currently closed (October 2025).
Transport
Option 1: Alight at Connel Ferry train station. Then 5 minutes' bus journey from Connel Ferry to Dunbeg followed by a 20 minute walk.
See West Coast Motors services 405, 408 and 415 and alight at stop 'Road End', and also their service 918 (tickets for this service bookable through Citylink).
Also see the Citylink Glasgow to Oban service (numbers 975, 976, 977, 978).
See our Guide to the pretty village of Connel Ferry for other places to visit, as well as accommodation and restaurants.
Option 2: Alight at Oban train station. Then 10 minutes' bus journey from Oban to Dunbeg followed by a 20 minute walk. See West Coast Motors service 005 and alight at stop 'MacCallum Court'.
Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Marina from the castle
Dunstaffnage Bay
Dunstaffnage Castle interior
Dunstaffnage Chapel
CLAN MACDOUGALL, DUNOLLIE MUSEUM, CASTLE & GROUNDS
Dunollie castle is a medieval ruined castle on the cliffs with wonderful views. Located in the Laird’s House is a museum covering Highland social history as well as Clan MacDougall material.
You can also explore the beautiful woodland grounds, as well as visit the Draper’s Shop and cafe.
Transport: 20 minutes' walk along the esplanade as far as the War Memorial, followed by 10 minutes along the Old Carriageway Footpath.
It is possible to catch a bus as far as the War Memorial - see West Coast Motors service 417 and alight at stop 'War Memorial'.
Corran Esplanade and Dunollie Wood
See our Guide to Skye for more details about this hugely popular island.
CLAN DONALD, ARMADALE CASTLE, GARDENS AND MUSEUM OF THE ISLES
Currently for sale, open for the 2025 season
Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum of the Isles is actually two attractions in one. The site was taken over by the Clan Donald Lands Trust in 1971, who have restored this 40 acre woodland garden beside the Castle.
These beautiful gardens benefit from almost frost free conditions and have existed since the 17th century. There are also woodland walks and nature trails for those less interested in formal gardens.
These are all set within the grounds of the Castle, which although at first glimpse looks complete, is actually now a ruin without any interior.
The Museum of the Isles is housed in a purpose built building and despite its small size it has excellent displays as well as a library and archives. Also on the site is the Stable Block which now contains a gift shop and restaurant.
The Sleat Estate is currently for sale by the Clan Donald Lands Trust. The museum collections are not for sale. The Trust states that it 'intends to use proceeds from the sale to help fund a new museum and exhibition centre, ideally still based on Skye, offering an expanded focus on Clan Donald and the wider Highland clan heritage'.
Transport: 15 minutes' walk from the centre of Armadale.
Dunvegan Castle and Gardens is probably one of the most famous locations on Skye. For over 800 years it has been the home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod and as such is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland.
Its position overlooking the sea Loch Dunvegan and surrounded by landscaped woodlands and gardens is stunning. In fact the gardens are as much an attraction as the Castle itself and you may enjoy the walled garden, water features, round garden and woodland areas.
Sitting in what is essentially barren moorland of northern Skye; these gardens laid out in the 18th century are like finding a hidden oasis in the desert. Due to the warmth of the Gulf Stream visitors are often amazed at the types of plants which thrive in these gardens.
The Castle itself is a fascinating complex of six buildings, five of which are open to the public. Boat trips to visit the seals are also offered as a supplement to visitors to either the Castle or Gardens.
Transport: There is a regular bus service (no Sunday service) from Portree to the castle - see Stagecoach service 56.
This is a very interesting museum where you could easily spend a few hours, as we did. It is located in the old Parish Church and is around 20 minutes' walk from the village.
It tells the history of the north west of Sutherland including Clan Mackay and the 19th century Highland Clearances.
Transport: 20 minutes' walk from the centre of the village.
See our Guide to the Thurso to Durness route for more places to visit, accommodation and places to eat.
Strathnaver Museum
The museum is in an attractive building, Burnfield House, which dates from 1861 and originally housed the Grantown Female School. It contains collections related to the town, the surrounding area and Clan Grant.
For an additional fee, they also offer a bookable 'Adventures in Costume' experience where you can choose from over 20 handmade replica costumes to dress up in. There is also a shop and visitor information.
Transport: In the town centre.
See our Guide to the Aviemore to Grantown-on-Spey route for more places to visit, accommodation and restaurants.
Page last updated 24 October 2025