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Why castles make the perfect setting for a romance novel
- Lilac Mills
- Jul 30
- 8 min read
Is there anything more romantic than a castle?
Whether it's perched dramatically on a windswept clifftop (Harlech), nestled beside a sparkling loch (Dunraven) or hidden amongst rolling green hills (Raglan), castles have a magic all of their own. The moment I visit one my imagination immediately starts asking questions. Who lived there? What secrets do those old stone walls hold? And, of course... what if two people who least expected to fall in love met there?
I live in Wales, a country of magic and mists, castles and myths. Some of the legends go back a thousand years, and Wales has an ancient collection of written Celtic mythology called ‘The Mabinogion’ in which magic and superstition feature highly. Welsh history can be traced back to the Neolithic period, and megalithic tombs dating back four thousand years can still be seen today. The Romans invaded in AD 48, followed by the Normans 1000 years later, and all this history has resulted in over 600 castles or monuments dotted across the country. I live not too far from one of them. Caerphilly Castle is the largest castle in Wales and the second largest in the UK, Windsor Castle being the biggest.
I think castles lend themselves beautifully to romance because they're filled with history. Every weathered doorway, winding narrow staircase and ancient tower has witnessed centuries of laughter, heartbreak, celebration and loss. It's impossible not to wonder about the lives that have unfolded within those walls.
Many castles are surrounded by gorgeous countryside too, which is another reason I love them. Woodland walks, colourful gardens, peaceful lochs and pretty villages are often just beyond the castle gates. To me, a castle isn't simply a setting. It becomes another character in the story, and let's be honest, who can resist a happily-ever-after in a place that already feels as though it's stepped straight out of a fairy tale?
With this in mind, and because I’ve set a series in a fictional castle in Scotland called Coorie Castle (coorie means to snuggle or nestle), I’ve rounded up a few cosy romances set in castles for you to enjoy, starting with one of mine...
Surprises on the Scottish Isle - Lilac Mills
Will they get a second chance at first love?
When newly divorced Tara McTaigh spots an advert for a studio to let in Coorie Castle's craft centre, she packs up her Edinburgh life and moves to the Isle of Skye, eager for a fresh start.
Little does she know that the castle's estate manager, single dad Calan Fraser, is the man who broke her heart back at university.
Thoroughly done with romance, Tara decides to ignore Cal and focus on building her business creating dollhouses to commission. But Duncoorie is a small community, and the two keep bumping into each other
Just as she is starting to open her heart once more to Cal, a change in his life puts everything on the line. When a surprise storm threatens Tara's safety, will Cal realise in time that love is worth the risk?
Available from Amazon
The Castle in the Bay - Margaret Amatt
What if the castle has the key to mend their broken hearts?
After a miserable few years, fun-loving Iona McKenzie tossed her corporate job to the wind, swore off long-term relationships, and escaped to the Hebridean island of Barra to teach water sports.
Recently dumped by an ex who labelled him 'boring', Monty MacNeil is having a tough time. When he's tasked with carrying out his late father’s last request to scatter his ashes at Kisimul Castle – the famous castle in the bay – he doesn't expect his trip to Barra to begin by running smack bang into a feisty and gorgeous woman, knocking her off her bike, and almost dropping his father’s urn into the sea.
Iona turns out to be the person he needs to take him over to the castle, but Monty soon sees another way she can help him. A few paddleboarding lessons would make him look more adventurous and give him a way back to his ex when his holiday’s done. But an unexpected attraction begins, despite both Monty and Iona fighting it, and the lessons soon develop from boarding and snorkelling to ‘love lessons’. Suddenly it’s harder to separate real from pretend.
True love may be closer than they think, but if they want it, both must take a chance – and soon – before Monty returns to his life on the mainland.
Open House - Jill Mansell
Nell O'Driscoll has known Marcus Kilburton for years. According to her diary, she even had a crush on him as a teenager. When he decides to open Kilburton Castle to the public, Nell takes a job as his assistant - and soon sparks are flying between them. But is Nell free to pursue Marcus, when a figure from her past refuses to let go?
Meanwhile, Nell's best friend, Hetty Brewster, has her own problems. Hetty's husband has abandoned her for a successful writer. Now the press is full of stories about the frumpy, boring wife losing out to a younger, slimmer model. But Hetty's about to get her chance for sweet revenge - if she can stop being a nice person long enough to take it!
All We Want for Christmas - Phillipa Ashley
At Ravendale Castle, nestled in the snowy heart of the Lake District, Lara is busy preparing for the Winter Spectacular ― a glittering light trail that will fill the grounds with the magic of Christmas.
It’s the perfect distraction from her recent heartbreak until Flynn, the ruggedly handsome technical manager, arrives and sparks start to fly.
Flynn is determined to prove he’s worth taking a chance on. But just as Lara begins to believe in love again, someone from Flynn’s past arrives at the castle, bringing a secret that could tear them apart.
As Christmas draws closer, can Lara and Flynn take a leap of faith toward the happily ever after they’ve always wanted?
The Secret Castle in the Highlands - Julie Shackman
Returning to the Scottish Highlands was never part of Poppy Summers’ plan. But life had other ideas.
With her parents’ cherished holiday cottages losing money, Poppy is determined to carry on their legacy and save the business before they’re forced to sell.
Revamping the cottages is Poppy’s priority until she meets Mason Cooper, a charming historian drawn to the highlands for research. As their newfound friendship grows, is it possible that something more might be enough of a reason to make Poppy stay for good?
A Recipe for Love - Amelia Berry
From the moment they meet, Bella and Adam know this is no ordinary holiday romance.
This is the real deal.
But when they find out Adam's father has died and he has inherited the penniless Lowbridge Loch estate, their lives are changed in an instant.
Bella suddenly finds herself dealing with crumbling castles, battling baronesses and a tiny community of eccentric characters. Rising to the challenge, Bella has an idea to save Lowbridge Loch. She will create The Highland Cookery School.
But will her plans sink like a souffle when her skills are put to the test?
And can Bella and Adam's love survive the pressure of saving the estate?
Dreams of the Scottish Highland - F.L. Everett
As the castle comes into view beside the sun-dappled loch, Cat wonders if this magical place is where she will finally heal her heart…
In desperate need of a fresh start after a recent heartbreak, Cat Hardwick leaves her life in the city behind and travels to the remote Scottish Highlands. Arriving at her godfather’s estate, she hopes returning to the beautiful place she remembers from childhood will help mend her broken heart.
But as she steps into the grand hall, the castle isn’t as she expects. With a sagging roof and buckets to catch the leaks, Cat soon realizes the estate is in trouble. Determined to save the place that gave her such happy memories, she offers her expertise as an event planner as a way to breathe new life into the estate. Surely there must be a way to save this magical place?
The only person opposed to her plans is her godfather’s son, Logan McCaskill. He is just how Cat remembers from childhood – grumpy and irritating, but maddeningly attractive with thick black hair and piercing dark brown eyes. Each time he rejects her ideas in his lilting Scottish accent, she feels her cheeks flush, caught between anger and desire.
Cat spends her days avoiding Logan. But when an unexpected storm forces them to seek shelter in an abandoned cottage on the estate, with nothing but a flickering fire and a flask of whiskey for company, it is a night that changes everything forever…
But then Logan starts acting distant, just as her old flame unexpectedly appears. Cat hoped this place could be her new home, but now she feels more lost than ever. Will Cat find the courage to face her past and embrace her future? Or is she destined to leave this magical place alone?
Girl in the Castle - Lizzie Lamb
Her career is in tatters, Henriette Bruar needs somewhere to lay low, plan her comeback and restore a tarnished reputation. Fate lends a hand, taking her to a remote castle in the highlands of Scotland to auction the contents of its ancient library to pay the laird's mounting debts. The family are in deep mourning over a tragedy which happened years before, resulting in a toxic relationship between the laird, Malcolm Mackenzie and his son and heir, Keir.
Add a phantom piper, lost Jacobite treasure, scheming cousins and a cast of eccentric characters to the mix and watch Henrietta encourage the MacKenzies to confront the past and move forward with their lives. However - will the Girl in the Castle be able to return home once her task is completed and leave gorgeous, sexy, Keir MacKenzie behind?
Who doesn’t love a hot laird?
A Castle for Christmas - Isla Gordon
This Christmas, anything is possible...
Estie's dream job as a movie location scout is hanging by a thread - and a fairytale castle in Austria might be her last chance to save it.
The castle is opening its doors for Christmas, giving production companies one chance to pitch for the ultimate filming location. Estie knows it's perfect for the romance film she's working on, but she'll have to outshine the competition, which includes her old university crush-turned-rival, Austin.
As they clash over candlelit dinners and snowy strolls, their frosty rivalry begins to melt. And with twinkling lights and Christmas magic in the air, Estie starts to wonder: could the love story she's scouting for the screen soon become her reality?
Christmas at a Highland Castle - Rachel Barnett
'Tis the season to find your heart's true home
Jess has spent most of her life taking care of herself, no stranger to odd jobs here and there. And given the choice between spending another Christmas alone or spending it in Scotland as the Earl of Kirkshield's housekeeper, her choice is a no-brainer.
Stepping into the castle's grounds is like something out of a fairytale, and Jess can't believe her luck. But a cold blast of reality hits when she meets the new earl and realises she's not exactly welcome...
When Sebastian makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the crumbling estate or his title, Jess takes it upon herself to give him a reason to stay and save her job in the meantime. As they work together to bring the castle back to life, she finds herself growing closer to the brooding earl. Much to her surprise, she's starting to think she actually likes the guy. But they come from different worlds, and she doesn't know the first thing about putting down roots.
Could the magic of Christmas be enough to spark romance and make the castle a home?
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About the Author
Lilac Mills writes heartwarming romance inspired by life in the Welsh countryside, her love of simple pleasures, and the beauty of everyday moments.
She’s the author of over twenty feel-good novels, and also writes as Liz Davies and Etti Summers.
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