At one time, Scotland was home to more than 4,000 castles. It's an extraordinary number for such a small country and today, around 3,000 still stand.
Some are world famous, others have inspired great works of literature, while others have lit up the silver screen.
There are grand, ticketed visitor attractions but there are others which are unassuming structures so tucked away that only the locals seem to know about them.
From the triangular-shaped Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway to the imposing New Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire, and from the magnificent fortress that dominates the Edinburgh skyline to the haunting battlements that stand on the banks of Loch Ness, each tower tells a story, every turret holds a secret and, together, they span centuries of fascinating Scottish history.
A History and Guide to Scottish Castles explores the history, architecture, and legends of some of these fascinating fortresses and looks at why they are so appealing to visitors today.
Sharing amazing facts and her own unique experiences, author Jenna Maxwell takes readers on an unforgettable tour of some of Scotland's most amazing castles which, if you haven't visited them already, you'll soon want to. Jenna has documented her journey on her Instagram page @queenofthecastles
A History and Guide to Scottish Castles is a beautiful coffee table book lavishly illustrated with breathtaking photos of Scottish castles and associated landscapes by Jenna Maxwell. Due out 30th Oct 2022 from Pen & Sword, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The book is arranged geographically, so the entries can be read in any order (there's a good table of contents, but no index), and "armchair" travelers can read about the history of the locations they aspire to visit. The author's writing style is warm and friendly and she does a grand job of including interesting tidbits about each castle's history and special characteristics. The author has also included a smattering of ghost stories about many of the castles which were interesting and entertaining to read.
The photos are clear, and some are quite breathtaking. There are many interior shots along with furnishings alongside the historical photos.
Five stars. This would make an excellent choice for public or home library acquisition as well as for fans of travel and history.
Disclosure: I received an eARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
