Thirlestane Castle, located near Lauder in the Scottish Borders, has been the ancestral home of the Maitland family since 1587. Originally a medieval fort, the site saw significant expansion in the 1670s under John Maitland, Duke of Lauderdale, who transformed it into a grand residence with additions like twin towers and lavish staterooms, designed by Sir William Bruce. The 19th century brought further extensions by architects David Bryce and William Burn, making it a Scottish country mansion.
During World War II, the castle housed an evacuated girls' school, and by the mid-20th century, it had fallen into disrepair. In 1972, Captain Gerald Maitland-Carew inherited the property and oversaw extensive renovations, eventually placing it under a charitable trust in 1984. Today, Thirlestane is open to the public, featuring collections of paintings, furniture, and a historic toy collection. In 2021, plans were approved to build holiday lodges within the castle grounds, adding to its appeal as a historical and tourist destination.
Celje Castle was once the largest fortification on Slovenian territory. The first fortified building on the site (a Romanesque palace) was built in the first half of the 13th century by the Counts of Heunburg from Carinthia on the stony outcrop on the western side of the ridge where the castle stands. It had five sides, or four plus the southern side, which was a natural defence. The first written records of the castle date back to between 1125 and 1137; it was probably built by Count Gunter. In the western section of the castle, there was a building with several floors. Remains of the walls of this palatium have survived. In the eastern section, there was an enclosed courtyard with large water reservoirs. The eastern wall, which protects the castle from its most exposed side, was around three metres thicker than the rest of the curtain wall. The wall was topped with a parapet and protected walkway.