Enchanting Aberdeenshire Castle Trail, Ruins & Historic Buildings

Duff House, Banff
Duff House (1735 - 1742), the magnificent Baroque mansion built by William Adam. Set in parkland with woodland walks, the house boasts a large collection of paintings, works or art and furnishings.	Duff House is a Georgian house in Banff, Scotland. Duff House is a Georgian house in Banff, Scotland.
Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1261 818 181

Huntly Castle, Huntly
Known also as Strathbogie Castle, this glorious ruin stands on the bank of the River Deveron. The most striking features of this palace, former stronghold of the Gordons, are the splendid heraldic doorway and carved fireplaces.	Huntly Castle is a ruined castle in Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Huntly Castle is a ruined castle in Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1466 793 191

Delgatie Castle, Turriff

The home of the late Captain Hay of Delgatie it has painted ceilings dated 1592 and 1597.

The turnpike stair of 97 treads measures over five feet in width. Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here for three days in 1562.

Displays of finepaintings, armoury, Victorian clothes combined with the atmosphere of a lived in home makes Delgatie Castle well worth a visit.

Delgatie Castle is a castle near Turriff,
in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
© 2006,2007 - John D. Hays

Delgatie Castle is a castle near Turriff, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1888 563 479

Haddo House, Methlick
This magnificent house stands on the grounds of an ancient castle and is steeped in history of the great Gordon family. Although grand and luxurious it still has a very 'homely' feel and is surrounded by a beautiful rose garden, lawns and country park, shop, plant sales, tearoom, play area and events.	Haddo House is a Scottish stately home located approximately 20 miles north of Aberdeen. © www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk Haddo House is a Scottish stately home located approximately 20 miles north of Aberdeen.
Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1651 851 440

Kildrummy Castle, Kildrummy By Alford
These are the ruins of a 13th century stone courtyard castle which was dismantled after the first Jacobite rising in 1715. The complete layout of domestic buildings is still intact - hall, kitchen and chapel. It has been described as the noblest of Northern castles and a stronghold of the Earls of Mar.	Kildrummy Castle is a ruined castle near Kildrummy, in Aberdeenshire Scotland. © Van de Beek Kildrummy Castle is a ruined castle near Kildrummy, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1975 571 331

Leith Hall, Huntly
This unusual and attractive mansion house was begun in 1650, and subsequent additions have resulted in a house built around a central courtyard. In addition to the house there are extensive gardens, stables, ponds, countryside trails with bird hide, picnic area and tearoom.	© www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk This unusual and attractive mansion house was begun in 1650, and subsequent additions have resulted in a house built around a central courtyard.
Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1464 831 216

Fyvie Castle, Turriff
The five towers of Fyvie Castle enshrine five centuries of Scottish history, each being named after the five families who owned the castle. The oldest part dates from the 13th century and is probably the grandest example of Scottish Baronial architecture.	Fyvie Castle is a castle in the village of Fyvie, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Fyvie Castle is a castle in the village of Fyvie, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1651 891 266

Tolquhon Castle, Tarves Ellon
Tolquhon Castle is mainly a comfortable 16th century mansion with an earlier 15th century tower in one corner. The old tower, known as the Preston Tower, was built by the castle's original owners, the Preston family. In 1420 it passed by marriage to the Forbes family.	Tolquhon Castle is located in Aberdeenshire, about 20 miles northwest of Aberdeen. Tolquhon Castle is located in Aberdeenshire, about 20 miles northwest of Aberdeen.
Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1651 851 286

Craigievar Castle, Alford
This fairytale-like castle, an example of the best of Scottish Baronial architecture, seems to have grown naturally out of the beautiful rolling hillsides of Aberdeenshire. The Great Tower stands just as it was when completed by Master William Forbes - 'Danzig Willie' - in 1626.	Craigievar Castle is a pinkish harled castle six miles south of Alford Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Craigievar Castle is a pinkish harled castle six miles south of Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1339 883 635

Castle Fraser, Inverurie

The most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland.

The castle belongs to the same period of native architectural achievement as two neighbouring castles, Crathes and Craigievar. One of its most evocative rooms is the strikingly simple Great Hall.

The estate contains a flight pond, mixed woodland and open farmland, with two waymarked walks giving magnificent views of the local hills.

Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan
castle in Scotland and one of the
grandest 'Castles of Mar'.

Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland and one of the grandest 'Castles of Mar'.

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1330 833 463

Drum Castle, Drumoak by Banchory

The keep is one of the three oldest tower houses surviving in Scotland.

It was the work of Richard Cementarius, first Provost of Aberdeen and King's Master Mason, in the late 13th century.

The High Hall of the tower is still in its medieval state.

Drum Castle is a castle near Drumoak in
Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Drum Castle is a castle near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1330 811 204

Crathes Castle, Banchory

King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323: the ancient Horn of Leys, which can be seen today in the Great Hall, marks his gift.

The castle, built in the second half of the 16th century, is a superb example of a tower house of the period.

Some of the rooms retain their original painted ceilings and collections of family portraits and furniture.

Crathes Castle is a 16th century castle
near Banchory in the Aberdeenshire
region of Scotland.

Crathes Castle is a 16th century castle near Banchory in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland.

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1330 844 525

Corgarff Castle, Strathdon

Corgarff Castle consists of a much-altered rectangular 16th-century tower house, white-washed and restored, with later pavilions and star-shaped outworks.

The castle was built about 1530 by the Elphinstones, and leased to the Forbes family.

It was torched in 1571 by Adam Gordon of Auchindoun, killing Margaret Campbell, wife of Forbes of Towie, and 26 others of her household.