Renting a car in Scotland and touring the wild and wonderful surroundings is the highlight of most vacations in Scotland. Cheap Scotland car rental is trouble-free and available in all major cities.

Here is a suggestion for a three day castle exploration.

Day 1

From Glasgow or Edinburgh, join the A93 at Perth and stick to it through Glenshee, to Braemar, the eastern access to the Cairngorm Mountains. Pay a visit to Braemar Highland Heritage Centre and 17th century Braemar Castle, which is at this time operated by the local community. Stay on the A93 to Balmoral Castle, Queen Victoria’s ‘dear cloud nine where everywhere you look seems to breathe freedom and calm.

Further east, the old royal station at Ballater consists of a royal carriage and royal waiting room built for Queen Victoria. You can find out extra ancient history at the Kinord Stone, a 9th century Celtic symbol stone in Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve prior to leaving the A93 for the A97 up to Strathdon, where a little deviation will bring you to the ruined 16th century Glenbuchat Castle, now protected by Historic Scotland, who also keep dazzling Corgarff Castle, a 16th century tower house set in wild landscape in Upper Strathdon on the A939 to Tomintoul.

Stop at the bottom of the Lecht pass to visit the Lecht Mine – active during the 18th and 19th centuries.Carry on to the planned 18th century township of Tomintoul with its square, museum, Telford church and manse.

Day 2

Commence the day from Tomintoul and go north on the A939 and take the right hand turning after Bridge of Avon. Just at the side of the road is Fodderletter Lum – placed there by early road menders to provide shelter at night. Keep on Strathavon and turn left onto the B9136 to superb 15th century Drumin Castle, sometime home of the Wolf of Badenoch. Continue to Bridgend of Glenlivet and turn right onto the B9008 to the ancient Livet pack horse bridge after quarter of a mile.

Continue to Auchnarrow and take a left turning signposted Chapeltown and Scalan. Park at the end of the road and walk a mile on level ground to find the spectacular Forbidden College of Scalan where Roman Catholic priests were trained in secret during the 18th century. End the day at Grantown and benefit from an evening of local hospitality.

Day 3

From Grantown, head south and maybe visit splendid Castle Roy by Nethybridge on your way to the ruined 18th century Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie, which were built following the first Jacobite uprising. From here it’s on to Clan MacPherson Museum at Newtonmore, where you will also find part of the multi award winning amazing Highland Folk Museum where a 1700s township has been recreated.

Conclusively head south past Dun da Lamh Pictish Hillfort at Laggan Bridge before taking the A9 south to Blair Atholl and outstanding Blair Castle, home of the Atholl Highlanders - the only remaining private army in the UK.