Castles are synonymous with Scotland, and you'll find stunning examples in most parts of the country. The Cairngorms National Park has a few of the most impressive ones.
There's no better place to start than Balmoral Castle, the royal family's Scottish home. You can step inside the castle to see the glorious ballroom, and you'll find a variety of works of art and sculpture on display. You can also take a walk in the formal gardens, which were originally supervised by Prince Albert and have grown and expanded ever since.
Close to Pitlochry at the southern end of the Cairngorms is Blair Castle, a beautiful building with white walls and turrets fit for any fairytale. You can visit and tour the inside of the castle and walk in the gardens (including one with a sculpture trail and a 9-acre walled garden) and grounds, drinking in the incredible setting.
Braemar Castle's grey stone facade is quite imposing at first sight, but at its heart, it's a warm and friendly community-run project which has grown into a popular and successful tourist attraction. You can visit the inside of the castle, and guided tours are available. As if one castle wasn't enough for a small village, you can also tour the ruins of Kindrochit Castle in the centre of Braemar.
Corgarff Castle has one of the most striking settings of all Scottish castles. It's a medieval tower house that still sits in isolation which only adds to the atmosphere. It's well worth the journey and is impressive in all lights and weathers.
If it's not enough for you to visit a castle, why not stay in one? Fonab Castle near Pitlochry is a stunning example of a 5* hotel located in and around a beautiful Scottish castle building. Poised on the edge of a loch with beautiful woodland all around, this is a stunning setting, and a stay here will certainly be a highlight of any trip to Scotland.
Besides the wonderful collection of castles to be found in this area, there are many other historical and cultural attractions that are not to be missed. These include the open-air Highland Folk Museum and the Highland Games Centre at Braemar, celebrating the history of the Braemar Gathering and the broader Highland Games traditions.