Fodor's Expert Review Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

In a commanding position over a sea loch, Dunvegan Castle has been the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod for more than 700 years. Today, it's a popular (if overpriced) tourist attraction. Step inside and into the clan's illustrious past through plush interiors, fascinating photos, and, most notably, the Fairy Flag—a silk banner, thought to be originally from Rhodes or Syria, which is credited with protecting the clan from danger. And make time to explore the gardens, with their water features, fern house, walled garden, and various viewing points. There's a café beside the parking lot. Boat trips from the castle to the nearby seal colony run April through September. The castle lies a mile north of the A850/A863 junction between Waternish and Glendale.