Cawdor Castle and Gardens

Nairn, United Kingdom

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Cawdor Castle in Nairnshire, Scotland, is a historic fortress originally built around the late 14th or early 15th century, centered on a rectangular tower house that was fortified with stone walls and an iron gate.

The castle was originally owned by the Calder family until it passed to the Campbells in the early 16th century through marriage. A distinctive feature of the castle is that it was constructed around a small holly tree, the remains of which can still be seen in the castle basement.

Over the centuries, the castle was expanded and remodeled, particularly during the 17th and 19th centuries, evolving into a fine example of Scottish baronial style with crow-stepped gables and stone roofs.

The castle’s gardens, first recorded in the mid-17th century, include a historic flower garden designed in the early 18th century, with yew hedges, fruit trees, and terraces. Cawdor Castle remains a private residence but is open to the public, where visitors can explore its beautifully preserved interiors, grounds, and its literary association with Shakespeare’s "Macbeth".​