Activities & Events

Duff House, Banff

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1261 818 181

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.

Huntly Castle, Huntly

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1466 793 191

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.

Delgatie Castle, Turriff

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

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.

Haddo House, Methlick

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1651 851 440

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.

Kildrummy Castle, Kildrummy By Alford

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1975 571 331

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.

Leith Hall, Huntly

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1464 831 216

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.

Fyvie Castle, Turriff

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1651 891 266

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.

Tolquhon Castle, Tarves Ellon

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1651 851 286

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.

Craigievar Castle, Alford

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1339 883 635

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.

Castle Fraser, Inverurie

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

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.

Drum Castle, Drumoak by Banchory

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

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.

Crathes Castle, Banchory

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

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.

Corgarff Castle, Strathdon

Opening times: Call +44 (0) 1975 651 460

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.

The information provided above is only for general guidance and offered in good faith. You are advised to make direct contact to confirm relevant information including prices and opening times.