A turbulent history, spectacularly beautiful scenery and a unique architectural style have given Scotland a collection of castles and great houses that rank with any in the world for romanticism and dramatic impact. The 14 outstanding treasures considered here by Magnus Magnuson are all owned by the National Trust for Scotland: vernacular tower houses such as Crathes, Craigiever and Castle Fraser, famous for their pepper-pot turetts and the gaunt austerity of a feudal past; the royal palace of Falkland, combining Stewart influence with the earliest Renaissance designs in Britain; and the classical symmetry of Haddo and Culzean, whose fine interiors exemplify the elegance of eighteenth-century life. An expert guide to those northern castles and great houses, Magnus Magnusson traces their history, describes their contents?from memorabilia to important works of art?and entertainingly recalls their often eccentric owners, whose interests, energies and life-styles they reflect. Architectural features, splendid furnishing, and examples of magnificent craftsmanship, such as plasterwork ceilings, painted porcelain, silverware, and embroideries, are fully illustrated in a superb selection of photographs from the archives of the Trust.