Built around 1220 by John de Vaux, from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century Dirleton saw some violence.  But for much of that time it was an elegant home, regulary improved and updated by its owners.  Throughout the castle are the changes made by the de Vauxs and their successors, the Halyburtons and thereafter the Ruthvens. 
The castle grounds also contains a garden. 

Situated on a volcanic rock overlooking the Firth of Clyde, Dumbarton was the centre of the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde from the 5th century until 1018.  Most of the surviving defences are from a fort built in the early 1700s. 

Dunnottar Castle is mostly ruins, but the location of this castle is quite impressive.  It sits on an enormous flat-topped rock with sheer cliffs on three sides jutting out into the North Sea attached to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. 

The oldest part of Edinburgh Castle, St. Margaret's Chapel dates from the 1100s.  In the Middle Ages Edinburgh became Scotland's chief royal caslte.