Scottish Castles Association

Our Vision ( Aims & Objectives )

The stone walls of Scotland's ancient castles, towers and fortified houses have witnessed, first-hand, the fascinating and tumultuous history of the Scottish nation. The Scottish Castles Association aims to help facilitate the protection, conservation or restoration of these unique properties for future generations to study, research and appreciate.

The Scottish Castles Associations welcomes anyone who shares our passion for the welfare of Scottish castles and historical buildings – many of which are in a perilous state and in need of rescue. Our mission statement says it all really, Preserving the Past for the Future. For the Scottish Castles Association to succeed in its aims it needs as many members as possible from all walks of life, whether at home or abroad. So, if you own a Scottish castle – be it rubble or restored – would like to own one or you are simply a 'castles buff' or lover of Scotland's history and heritage, we'd love to have you join us.

Our aims and objectives best describe the Scottish Castle Association's views and ambitions

• Improving public awareness of Scotland's castles as a valuable inheritance and tangible reminder of its cultural heritage
• Encouraging the responsible ownership, conservation and restoration of ruined structures, and other buildings at risk, in the belief that, in many cases, restoration offers the best means of ensuring their long-term survival
• Creating a permanent record of Scotland's castles and their individual histories
• Providing a forum for castle owners, and interested individuals and organisations, to discuss, and seek solutions to areas of common concern
• Promoting the study of Scotland's castles, of the circumstances which gave rise to their creation, and of all the people and activities associated with them, at all levels of the education system
• Providing advice on appropriate methods of conservation and restoration, backed by a skills database
• Bringing together potential restorers with appropriate properties for restoration
• Achieving as wide a membership as possible, encompassing castle owners; potential owners and restorers; architects, artists and craftsmen; academics, students, writers and historians; and enthusiastic members of the public
• Liaising with other bodies, including government departments, local authorities and other conservation organisations, in the pursuit of the above objectives
• Organising national and international meetings in the context of the above objectives

Our History

The Scottish Castles Association was founded in 1996 by a small group of castle enthusiasts to stimulate interest in the conservation and restoration of the many castles and fortified houses which, while they constitute much of Scotland's history in stone, are not regarded as sufficiently important to merit significant public funding. Scottish Castles Association members include castle owners, academics, architects, and non-specialists who simply have a passion for Scotland's built heritage.

The Scottish Castles Association is managed by an elected Council, comprising both owners and non-owning castle enthusiasts.

The Scottish Castles Association's membership has grown steadily and an increasing number and range of activities are undertaken. Much remains to be done, however, so there is no shortage of work for willing hands and minds. Members who do not wish, or have the time, to take an active part in the running of the Association are every bit as valuable as those who do, by supporting the Association with their membership fee and by spreading the word about the Association and its aims.

All members are encouraged to join our regular castle tours which, to date, have ranged almost the length of the country, from the Borders to Orkney, and to attend our informative and enjoyable social events.