The very best castles and country houses for sale in Scotland this summer.
The breathtaking scenery and diverse architecture in Scotland draw so many people into thinking about making a move there. From the tip of the country in Ross-shire down to the Scottish Borders and along the beautiful west coast of Argyll & Bute there are so many brilliant, prestigious and quirky houses for sale. Here are six of our favourites at the moment.
Historic Tower House in East Lothian
King David the First of Scotland granted lands north of Keith Water to his Marischal, this very historic property certainly existed in the 16th century, with subsequent additions, extensions and alterations. The house as it is currently configured as two separate properties, one with enormous potential for holiday lets. Alternatively the two houses, currently linked on the second floor, could be refashioned into one.
The property has a distinctive Scots Baronial appearance and many architectural features of note including the turret to the side with a matching pediment and a turret on the west corner, which has a date stone of 1589. Internally the house combines old and new in a dynamic way. The main family accommodation is located on the first and second floors, and the south-facing sitting room, drawing room and kitchen are particularly attractive. A charming dining room and second sitting room lie on the other side of the house.
The Tower is a charming, character property which sleeps ten in five bedrooms – the smallest bedroom being up in the top of the tower itself. Income from letting out the property has been estimated at over £35,000 per year.
The mature, landscaped grounds come to around ten acres and offer wonderful views. The house is located in a pretty part of East Lothian, just 17 miles from Edinburgh.
£1.35m. Savills (0131 268 9164; http:countrylife.onthemarket.com)
The Old Schoolhouse, Inverness-shire 
This renovated former schoolhouse and its accompanying cottage Torr an Daimh are located in some of the wild Highland countryside between the Cairngorms National Park and the Great Glen in Inverness-shire. The schoolhouse itself is a fine period property with dining kitchen, boot room, three bedrooms and a family bathroom. The house sits in wooded grounds of around half-an-acre which lead down to a burn at its boundary.
Torr an Daimh has an open plan dining/living area and kitchen, as well as two bedrooms.
There are excellent sporting and leisure facilities nearby including the Nevis Range Activity Centre with its ski centre and world class mountain bikin, while fishing, stalking and shooting are available locally.
This would make a wonderful holiday home for a family keen on walking, skiing and other sporting pursuits, or anyone looking for a little peace and quiet.
£500,000. Contact CKD Galbraith (01463 224343; http://countrylife.onthemarket.com)
Romantic Ross-shire tower house 
Raven’s Craig (above and top) is a 20th century tower house built in 1992 which has been inspired by some of the most iconic old buildings in Scotland. The result is a property which looks old, but was built with concrete block walls and underfloor heating set in an elevated position with views over Loch Carron towards the beautiful Applecross peninsula.
The property has generously proportioned living space spread over four floors, with four bedrooms and the great hall (which occupies the whole 1st floor) plus a basement with workshop and wine cellar.
Bragleenbeg Estate lies in an enviable location, running from the hill tops of Corrach Beinn down to the fertile arable land on the western shores of Loch Scammadale.
The estate includes a traditional six-bedroom farmhouse with a three bedroom cottage. The land consistsabout 24 acres grass leys, 49 acres permanent pasture, 971 acres hill and 15 acres of beautiful mixed native woodland. 
The estate offers trout fishing on Allt a’ Choromaig Burn and on Loch Scammadale. Oban is 15 miles and Glasgow Airport 102 miles.
£1.15m. Contact Knight Frank (0131 268 9161 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com)
Commissioned by Clan Chief George Duncan Robertson and with an estate dating back to 1347, The Dall Estate is an extremely prestigious property located on the south shore of Loch Rannoch, in Highland Perthshire.
With an enormous amount of potential, the main castle has fifteen bedrooms and beautiful reception rooms. There are period details throughout the property inside, and lots of potential for development into a magnificent private house.
Additionally to the main house, the estate also has many additional houses and cottages, a large stable block, two boat houses, ownership to the middle of Loch Rannoch, workshops and stores, and a disused nine hole golf course, all in 90 acres of land.
£7.5m; Asset Properties in Crieff (01764 446972; http://countrylife.onthemarket.com)
Scots Baronial property for sale 
Cats Castle is a Scots Baronial property located close to the conservation village of Cardross and six miles from the pretty town of Helensburgh, in Argyll and Bute. The house is category B listed and was built around 1888; it is now named after the man who built it, one Robert Craig: a local solicitor who was very fond of cats. The house has been well-kept and updated by its present owners.
The reception rooms are of a very good standard; the drawing room and sitting room both offer fine views out, and good period features within including lovely open fireplaces – the turret window in the drawing room in particular adds character. The kitchen and breakfast room is modern and spacious, and benefits from a butler’s pantry adjoining.
A handsome staircase leads to the first floor where there are four double bedrooms; the second floor has a further tower bedroom with access to the rooftop and turret with superb views down the Firth of Clyde.
Outside the gardens and grounds come to around two acres, for the most part comprise grassland with mature trees which slopes gently down towards the Clyde.
£675,000; Contact Savills (0141 376 9007; http://countrylife.onthemarket.com)
