Brodie Castle, located 4½ miles west of Forres near Inverness, stands as an iconic Scottish tower house owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Originally built in 1567 as a Z-plan fortress, the castle was destroyed by fire in 1645 and subsequently transformed into a Scots Baronial mansion between 1824 and 1845. The 16th-century structure is renowned for its elegant interiors, intricate plaster ceilings and world-famous art collection featuring 17th-century Dutch masters and over 6,000 volumes in an impressive library. The 71-hectare estate encompasses landscaped gardens, a large pond, walled garden and woodland walks with wildlife observation hides, particularly stunning in spring when over 100 daffodil varieties carpet the grounds. Today the castle offers guided tours, a café, visitor centre and adventure playground, while the Laird's Wing provides holiday accommodation in the former living quarters.
