A Scottish Castle

Inveraray Castle in Scotland

I have fallen in love with a castle and, if you are a fan of Downton Abbey, you can probably guess which one. It is the romantic Scottish castle featured in the third season of "Downton Abbey." Right out of a fairy tale, it captured my imagination from its very first appearance on the screen. And later when I spent a little time looking at images online, I was truly smitten. This is the castle where the Crawley family go to stay with Lord Grantham's cousins. It is the family home of Lady Rose, the rebellious and spirited young woman who comes to live with the Crawleys at Downton. The episode (A Journey to the Highlands) was filled with iconic Scottish images: breathtaking countryside, bagpipers, highland reels, and lots of tartan. The castle known as Duneagle on the show is Inveraray Castle in real life, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll. He lives there with his wife and children. If you are a fan of Scotland, take a look at these dreamy images of Inveraray Castle and its grounds in western Scotland. They will have you longing to plan a trip to the Scottish Highlands.

The countryside alone is enough to satisfy any lover of Scotland

But the castle itself is right out of a fairy tale

Covered with snow, it becomes a winter wonderland

And in the spring, it looks lovely and inviting

The running river

A walkway

The Duke and Duchess of Argyll, pictured with their children, have opened the castle to the public

Inside: the Armoury Hall Fireplace that greeted the Crawleys upon their arrival

The saloon

The state dining room

The old kitchen

The MacArthur bedroom

The Aray Bridge

The stunning view from the castle

And speaking of Highland beauty, the clothes worn by Lady Rose in this episode are a dream. The hats, the tweeds, the rich colors. Reflecting the time and place, her clothes are breathtaking!

I love this new "Downton Abbey" character; her independence and rebellious spirit feel like a breath of fresh air.

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Inveraray Castle is located in the county of Argyll in western Scotland, on the shore of Loch Fyne. It has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll and the Clan Campbell since the 17th century. The castle is open to visitors from April 1 - October 31. Go here to find out more. If you are planning a trip to Scotland, this would be a wonderful place to add to your itinerary.

All photos of Inveraray Castle via here