On the way back to the castle, Ms. Foster explained that in Scotland, the first son inherited the chief's title and land.

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"It may well be that he's found a dead animal and is sitting there eating something and has no real desire to come back to the castle until he's hungry again, " he added.

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Curzon stepped in at the eleventh hour to buy the castle and was determined to get the fireplaces back.

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He remained in Sir Lanka until he was sent to Bombay to catch a liner called the Llanstephan Castle back to Britain.

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Which brings me to Heidelberg, a city steeped in the past--its famous castle and university date back to the eleventh century--but which offers an intriguing glimpse of the future.

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Markus Hecher is the owner of Burg Rheinstein, a castle on a scenic stretch of the Rhine River that dates back to the 13th century.

WSJ: Castle, Sweet Castle

Part of the castle and grounds were leased back to them and some family members continue to live there.

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Across the moor from the the ancient family seat, the 14th-century Cawdor Castle, is Carnoch, the shepherd's summer dwelling that dates back to the 1890s.

WSJ: Scotland's Cawdor Estate

Organisers say the National Eisteddfod can be traced back to 1176 when it is believed that the first festival was held by Lord Rhys, at his castle in Cardigan.

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