Since time immemorial, people have felt a need to surround themselves with safe, sturdy enclosures to keep out those who would cause them grief. In the medieval age, rival families and differing claimants to the throne often did bloody combat, which made the need for strong enclosures a matter of live or death. Consequently, hundreds of castles sprang up, some were made of primitive earthy materials while others were made of stone and brick.

A visitor to Celtic Britain - Wales, Ireland and Scotland - will notice many of these picturesque, historical gems in their travels. If fascinating history is on your agenda, the suggestions below are some of the best destinations from which to choose.

The Castles of Wales

Wales is a country of mystery, a mixture of vast ancient pastures and dreary mountain terrain. It was not with an easy transaction that the Norman French warriors, the conquerors of England, acquired this land. It took centuries of combat to fully integrate British influence, and the first castle of interest is a reminder of Norman presence in this fierce Celtic land.

Pembroke Castle lies in Pembrokeshire in Southwest Wales. This medieval edifice is one of Wales' biggest fortresses, owned by a lord of the realm. Sandwiched in the middle of two inlets, the castle saw much renovation throughout the centuries and different periods of construction are visible in its aged walls. Roger, the Earl of Montgomery, was responsible for the conception of the original Pembroke, and it withstood enemy fire even in that weak state. Over time, the fortress came into the possession of that quintessential knight, Sir William Marshall, who modified the structure, rebuilding in stone.

Pembroke is rich with enticing places to explore, such as ancient towers and parapets, and a massive twisting staircase. If you journey down the spiral stairs, you are greeted with a natural cavern hollowed out by years of water erosion, not an ordinary sight in a medieval castle. If you are an aspiring climber, the views of Pembrokeshire after reaching the top are well worth the exertion. The darkest feature of Pembroke, and possibly the most alluring to thrill seekers, is the single small hole into which unfortunate criminals were dropped. There they were never again to see daylight, and the place of the dungeon was named "Oubliette," French for "forgotten."

School groups are very welcome at Pembroke Castle, and part of this allure may come from the unique brass rubbing program that children are invited to participate in. However, any visitors to Pembroke, young or old, will come away with a beautiful impression of a unique part of Wales' past.

For a second unforgettable experience, try a visit to Harlech Castle, located in the historical area of Gwynedd in the town of Harlech. The castle is a grand sight, stuck precariously on the rock that adds naturally to its foundation. English King Edward I, the "Longshanks" of British fame, constructed Harlech Castle late in the 1200s as a sentinel over Snowdonia. He made it extremely defensive, but it still eventually fell to the native Welsh in the form of Owain Glyn Dwr, the leader of a rebellion. This castle has also seen in its long years part of the epic struggle known as the Wars of the Roses.

Although many of the castle walls are in ruins, journeying through the ancient stone walkways will give the visitor a sense of what it was like to live in such a powerful structure. The great hall, now a shell of its former glory, echoes the gloomy warfare of the past. The gatehouse still stands, along with Harlech's most curious feature; the "Way from the Sea," a set of stairs, strongly defended, that led down to the base of the foundation rock. This was a trek of nearly two hundred feet.

Those who search for Harlech will find this striking piece of Welsh architecture on the ledge above the Tremadog Bay, located in the scenic wonderland of Northern Wales.

The Castles of Ireland

The alluring mythology surrounding Blarney Castle makes it the stuff of dreams. Most likely, it will be one of the first things anyone planning a visit to Ireland will bring to mind. The castle is located in Cork County upon "otherworldly" beautiful gardens and grounds that add mystery to the excursion.

First, for the aspiring traveling historian, a little background: The original edifice on this site was begun in the 1100s and was constructed of wood, only to be redone in impregnable stone in the early 13th century. The third fortress to be constructed was begun in 1446 by a member of the McCarthy family, who became owners of the castle. In the 1800s, yet another castle was rebuilt on this whimsical site by Lady Colthurst, and renovations were finished in 1874.

The official name for the Blarney Stone, the very emblem of Irish mysticism, is the "Stone of Eloquence." Planting a kiss on this famous piece of history is supposed to give the traveler the ability of graceful speech. This, however, is not all there is to see at Blarney Castle. The "Rock Close" is a magnificent garden strewn with rock formations that bring Druid circles to mind. Many of the garden's trees have without a doubt weathered many centuries. Sir James St. John Jefferyes brought his own contribution to the ancient castle, a house added onto Blarney's keep. What was not obliterated by a fire in the last century can still be seen by the tourist population.

If an added flair of mystery is your thing, try one of Blarney Castle's journeys to Celtic mysticism; walk backwards down the Wishing Steps to achieve your heart's desires! Druids' caves and fairy glades make these ancient grounds a spiritual haven. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the only times the castle is not open, so whatever time you have in Ireland, make sure you spend some of it at Blarney Castle!

Next stop in Ireland: Bunratty Castle. This great hulking tower, the fourth castle to stand in this spot, had a very humble birth. Robert de Muscegros constructed a mound with a wooden tower in the mid 1200s. When his property was taken over by a Frenchman called Thomas de Clare, a stone edifice grew up over the older fortifications. Although the castle met its untimely death in 1318 due to cultural feuds, it was eventually rebuilt - and again destroyed – then rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby. The castle that stands now was the brainchild of the MacNamara's. Bunratty holds the distinction for being Ireland's best historically accurate fortress, as its insides are reconstructed to hold the same splendor as they did in the olden days.

Some interesting features that the visitor will note are the Main Guard, a luxurious hall with a tiny entrance to the dungeon; the North Solar, which contains a table that is rumored to have been taken from a Spanish Armada wreck; the Great Hall which was used by the Earls of Thomond to entertain; and the Earl's bedroom, restored to its original grandeur. Also, for Bunratty's own little slice of the bizarre, see the "Murder Holes," where boiling oil was poured on unfortunate attackers.

For a fun addition, the visitor to Bunratty may want to spend awhile at Bunratty Folk Park. It is a living history museum with recreated buildings showing how all classes of Irish families in the Victorian era lived and worked. Trades are demonstrated by the park's participants, and people in traditional dress bring alive the different jobs one in 19th century Bunratty would have had. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park are both located between the picturesque points of Shannon and Limerick.

The Castles of Scotland

Scotland, the land of ancient mountain passes and meadows filled with Celtic beauty, is one of the most fascinating British destinations. Part of its allure may come from the haunting, familiar sounds of a bagpipe, or from the colorful dress that characterizes the region. Whatever its reason for intriguing travelers, Scotland should best be known for its wonderful castles and the mysterious history that still draw them into our imaginations.

Possibly the most famous of Scotland's fortresses is Glamis Castle, laden with tales of betrayal and fantasy. Perhaps you have heard of the castle's role in the tragic story of MacBeth. Although Shakespeare's story is far from historically accurate, another king, Malcolm II, did die at this spot in 1034 from wounds suffered in battle. As centuries passed, another castle replaced the old edifice but its history only became more complex. Lady Glamis, Janet Douglas by name, incurred the king's wrath simply by being born into the family she was. He accused her of witchcraft, and legend goes that her spirit still haunts the castle.

If fairy tales and ghostly wanderings aren't your cup of tea, the mere beauty of the restored "home" will astound you. Reconstructed living chambers show what life was like when a young girl and her family spend their days there in the early 20th century. This child grew up to become Queen Elizabeth II. If you long for fresh air, Glamis' gardens are one of its coveted features. The nature trail mixes a bit of Scottish countryside with the regal air of this ancient home.

Glamis Castle is currently open from the end of March to the end of December, with the last tour of the day beginning at 4:30. Those who purchase a Season Ticket can visit Glamis during the season whenever they wish. The only unfortunate setup at the castle is its inability to serve physically challenged visitors; the stairways are steep and hard to navigate. If you have need of such facilities, a motorized wheelchair can be obtained, and the areas to which the stairs lead should still be accessible by other routes.

Stirling Castle in Stirling Old Town has such an old history that it's not certain when it began. The volcanic rock on which it stands only adds to the beauty of the scene, and makes for great photos on this wonderful stop. The castle in its current state was constructed between the 14th and 18th centuries, but even in Roman times, a fort was present on this great rock. Stirling Castle has a history of triumph. In the 12th century, Scottish King William the Lion was made to suffer humiliation at the hands of England's Henry II by giving up six of his mighty castles. Stirling was one of these. In 1189 it was given back to Scottish forces, waiting out its time in captivity. This entire scenario was played out all over again when England's Edward I took Stirling, and William Wallace's army sorely defeated the English garrison.

If you are interested in Scottish history, this is the place to study it. For those who are fans of the movie "Braveheart," there is plenty for you to see and do here. Battle scenes and ancient parts of the castle are recreated, and during the summer, the era of "Braveheart" is brought to life again.

Magnificently redone to recall the days long past, Stirling Castle features many rooms and halls to explore. Immerse yourself in medieval and Renaissance times by touring the Great Hall, the outer grounds, the Chapel, and many other sites of interest. For the modern shopper and the hungry traveler, tastes will also be satisfied within castle walls. Open all year round, with many services available to tourists from restaurants to shops, Stirling Castle is a great find to all.

To Find Out More

This is only a very small percentage of the castles in Britain's Celtic lands. Explore for yourself and learn that each castle has its own unique and fascinating history!

External Links:

• Castles on the Web - Informative site with castle info to suit all needs
• Castles of Britain - A site dedicated to British fortresses
• The Castles of Wales - A wealth of info on anything pertaining to Welsh castles