Skip to content

Privacy Policy

Last updated:16 June 2026

1.Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how the Castlescotland.app portal collects,uses and protects information when visitors browse the website,create an account,subscribe to the newsletter or use available features.

By using Castlescotland.app,you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy.

2.Information We Collect

Castlescotland.app may collect information provided directly by users,including:

  • email address;
  • account name or display name;
  • login and authentication information;
  • newsletter subscription preferences;
  • messages sent through contact forms;
  • information voluntarily provided by users.

The portal may also automatically collect technical and usage information,including:

  • IP address;
  • browser type;
  • device type;
  • operating system;
  • approximate location;
  • pages visited;
  • links clicked;
  • time spent on the website;
  • referring website;
  • date and time of visits;
  • cookie identifiers;
  • interactions with website features.

This information may be collected through cookies,server logs,tracking scripts,pixels,tags and similar technologies.

3.How Information Is Used

Information collected through Castlescotland.app may be used to:

  • provide and operate the portal;
  • create and manage user accounts;
  • authenticate users;
  • provide access to registered-user content;
  • send account-related messages;
  • send newsletters;
  • manage newsletter subscriptions;
  • improve website content and functionality;
  • understand how visitors use the portal;
  • measure website traffic and performance;
  • detect technical problems;
  • maintain website security;
  • prevent fraud and misuse;
  • respond to messages and enquiries;
  • comply with legal obligations.

4.User Accounts

Users may be able to create an account to access additional content or website features.

Account information may include an email address,display name,account creation date,login history,authentication information and website preferences.

Account information is used to provide secure access to the portal and manage the user’s membership.

Users may request deletion of their account through the available account settings or by contacting Castlescotland.app through the website.

Some information may remain temporarily in backups,security logs or records required by law.

5.Newsletters

Users may subscribe to receive newsletters,website updates,new castle guides and other information connected with Castlescotland.app.

Newsletters will only be sent when the user has provided appropriate consent.

Each newsletter will include an option to unsubscribe.

Users may withdraw their consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in an email or by changing their account preferences.

After a user unsubscribes,a limited record of the email address may be retained to ensure that further marketing messages are not sent.

Essential account or security messages may still be sent to registered users.

6.Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Castlescotland.app may use cookies and similar technologies to operate the portal,remember user preferences,analyse website traffic and improve the user experience.

Cookies are small files stored on a user’s device.

The portal may use the following categories of cookies.

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are required for the website to function correctly.

They may be used for:

  • user authentication;
  • account login;
  • website security;
  • remembering privacy choices;
  • maintaining website sessions;
  • preventing fraudulent activity.

Strictly necessary cookies may be used without additional consent where permitted by law.

Preference cookies

These cookies remember choices made by users,including language,display preferences and account settings.

Analytics cookies

Analytics cookies and tracking scripts may be used to understand:

  • how many users visit the portal;
  • which pages are most popular;
  • how users navigate the website;
  • how long users remain on particular pages;
  • whether technical errors occur;
  • which features are most useful.

Where required by law,analytics cookies will only be activated after consent has been provided.

Marketing cookies

Marketing cookies may be used to measure promotional campaigns,understand how users reach the website and provide more relevant advertising.

Where required,marketing cookies and tracking technologies will only be activated after the user has provided consent.

7.Cookie Preferences

Users may be shown a cookie consent panel when they first visit Castlescotland.app.

The consent panel may allow users to:

  • accept optional cookies;
  • reject optional cookies;
  • select individual cookie categories;
  • change their preferences;
  • withdraw consent.

Users can also manage cookies through their browser settings.

Blocking certain cookies may affect account login,website preferences or other portal features.

8.Legal Basis for Processing

Castlescotland.app may process personal information on the following legal bases.

Contract

Information may be processed when necessary to create and manage a user account,provide access to content or deliver requested website services.

Consent may be used as the legal basis for:

  • newsletter subscriptions;
  • marketing messages;
  • optional analytics cookies;
  • marketing cookies;
  • certain tracking technologies.

Consent may be withdrawn at any time.

Legitimate interests

Information may be processed where necessary for the legitimate interests of Castlescotland.app,including:

  • maintaining the portal;
  • improving website content;
  • protecting website security;
  • preventing fraud;
  • responding to enquiries;
  • resolving technical problems.

These interests will be balanced against the rights and freedoms of users.

Information may be processed where necessary to comply with applicable laws,regulations or legal requests.

9.Third-Party Services

Castlescotland.app may use third-party services to operate the portal.

These services may include:

  • website hosting;
  • content management;
  • user account management;
  • newsletter delivery;
  • website analytics;
  • cookie consent management;
  • website security;
  • content delivery networks;
  • backups and data storage;
  • embedded maps,videos or social media content.

These providers may process limited information on behalf of Castlescotland.app.

Third-party providers are responsible for complying with their own privacy and security obligations.

10.Embedded Content and External Links

The portal may contain embedded content from other websites,including maps,videos,photographs,social media posts or booking services.

Embedded content may behave in the same way as if the user visited the external website directly.

External providers may collect information,use cookies or track interactions with embedded content.

Where required,non-essential embedded content may remain blocked until the user provides consent.

Castlescotland.app may also contain links to external websites.

The portal is not responsible for the privacy practices,security or content of third-party websites.

Users should review the privacy policy of each external service they visit.

11.Sharing Information

Personal information may be shared with trusted service providers where necessary to operate the portal.

Information may also be disclosed:

  • where required by law;
  • in response to a valid legal request;
  • to protect the portal and its users;
  • to prevent fraud or security incidents;
  • to establish,exercise or defend legal claims;
  • in connection with a transfer or restructuring of the portal.

Castlescotland.app does not sell personal information for monetary payment.

12.International Data Transfers

Some third-party service providers may process information outside the United Kingdom or the European Economic Area.

Where personal information is transferred internationally,appropriate safeguards may be used in accordance with applicable data protection law.

These safeguards may include adequacy regulations,approved contractual clauses or other legally recognised transfer mechanisms.

13.Data Retention

Personal information will only be kept for as long as reasonably necessary.

Retention periods may depend on:

  • the purpose for which information was collected;
  • whether a user account remains active;
  • whether the user remains subscribed to the newsletter;
  • security requirements;
  • legal obligations;
  • the need to resolve disputes or legal claims.

Account information may be retained while an account remains active and for a reasonable period after account deletion.

Newsletter information may be retained until the user unsubscribes.

A limited suppression record may be retained after unsubscribing to prevent further marketing messages.

Analytics information,server logs and security records may be retained for a limited period according to the settings of the relevant service.

14.Data Security

Castlescotland.app uses reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect information against:

  • unauthorised access;
  • loss;
  • misuse;
  • alteration;
  • disclosure;
  • destruction.

Security measures may include encrypted connections,access controls,secure authentication,software updates,monitoring and backups.

No website or online transmission method can guarantee complete security.

15.User Rights

Depending on applicable data protection law,users may have the right to:

  • access their personal information;
  • correct inaccurate information;
  • request deletion of information;
  • restrict the use of information;
  • object to certain processing;
  • withdraw consent;
  • request transfer of certain information;
  • object to direct marketing;
  • submit a complaint to a data protection authority.

Users have the right to withdraw consent for newsletters and optional tracking technologies at any time.

Requests may be submitted through the contact options available on Castlescotland.app.

Identity verification may be required before a request is completed.

Some rights may be limited where information must be retained for legal,security or fraud-prevention purposes.

16.Children’s Privacy

Castlescotland.app is intended for a general audience and is not specifically directed at children.

Children should not create an account or subscribe to the newsletter without the permission of a parent or legal guardian where such permission is required.

If information is found to have been collected from a child unlawfully,reasonable steps will be taken to remove it.

17.Automated Decision-Making

Castlescotland.app does not currently use personal information to make decisions based solely on automated processing that produce legal or similarly significant effects on users.

18.Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated when:

  • new website features are introduced;
  • new tracking technologies are added;
  • service providers change;
  • legal requirements change;
  • the way information is processed changes.

The latest version will be published on Castlescotland.app with an updated revision date.

19.Complaints

Users who have concerns about the processing of their personal information may contact Castlescotland.app through the contact options available on the portal.

Users may also have the right to submit a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office or another relevant data protection authority.

20.Contact

Questions,requests or complaints relating to privacy and personal information may be submitted through the contact page available on Castlescotland.app.