Oh sure, it's not Edinburgh or Stirling castle, but you can at least come here relax and enjoy the old ruins in peace without someone yelling at you, 'Hey wee/big man, stop throwing sandwiches at people from the tower!'

Also out of all of the castles in Scotland, this was perhaps one of the ones that you're least likely to have someone hassle you about wearing your own armour and clattering around waiting for the English to attack. It's out of the way and not swamped with tourists, but it's very well maintained and every bit as magnificent as any castle ruin you'll find in Scotland.

Bothwell castle is great if you want to look around the remains of a once majestic castle. I see some reviews that say there isn't much to do other than look around the castle. In my view I'm thankful that not all attractions have rides and candy floss but I'd agree, if you're looking for lights and action this isn't the place for you. Also, make sure you go on a dry day- there isn't a lot of cover. There is plenty of space around the castle for children to run around in.

There is a nice walk from the castle along the River Clyde that will take you to Bothwell Bridge and to the David Livingston Centre in Blantyre- if you've got children doing the two activities will last a large part of the day and they'll sleep at night.

There are sometimes events in the castle and we saw a production of The Taming of the Shrew last year. It was a great setting.

We stopped in thinking it would be a quick trip and ended up staying over an hour. Our tour guide Chris was fantastic! I am giving 4 because the heavy rains made the towers too unsafe to go into. So there was not much to see except the little rooms under the dining hall and the dining hall itself. My husband got to try on chain mail and a helmet, it really is heavy! We gained lots of history from Chris and even better he told which other castles to see along our trip. He mapped them out for us too. Very much appreciated since there is so much to see in Scotland!