Scotland Has a Castle Kingdom — and Most Visitors Never Find It

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Aberdeenshire has more castles than any other county in Scotland. Over 300 of them, spread across fertile valleys, coastal cliffs, and granite moorland. Some are grand National Trust properties with tearoom and gift shop. Others are private ruins standing alone in fields, seen only by sheep and passing walkers.

Most visitors arrive in Edinburgh, head for Skye, and fly home without knowing that an entire castle kingdom was waiting just two hours north. Aberdeenshire is Scotland’s best-kept castle secret — and once you see it, you’ll wonder why no one told you sooner.

Why Aberdeenshire Has So Many Castles

The answer lies in the land and the money it produced. Aberdeenshire’s fertile farmland made it one of Scotland’s wealthiest regions. Medieval landowners built to show power, to control trade routes, and to protect what was theirs.

The local granite did the rest. Hard, enduring, and found almost everywhere underfoot, it gave builders the perfect material for fortifications that could last for centuries. The result is Scotland’s greatest concentration of castles — one for roughly every 750 people.

The region also developed a distinct architectural style: Scots Baronial. Round towers, corbelled turrets, stepped gables, and crowstepped rooflines. Once you recognise it, you’ll see it everywhere in Aberdeenshire — from grand country houses to small farmhouse towers that have stood since the 1400s.

Craigievar Castle — Scotland’s Pink Tower

Craigievar is unlike any other castle in Scotland. Built in 1626 for a wealthy Aberdeen merchant, it stands seven storeys tall and has barely changed since the last stone was laid. The colour is the first thing you notice: a deep, dusty pink that seems almost impossible in this northern landscape.

Inside, the plasterwork ceilings are among the finest from the 17th century. The staircase narrows as it rises — only one person can pass at a time. On a quiet spring morning, with mist in the valley below, the effect is extraordinary.

Craigievar Castle

Managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Open April to October. Booking recommended in peak summer months.

Crathes Castle — Where the Gardens Rival the History

Twenty-five minutes from Craigievar, Crathes Castle has painted ceilings that are unlike anything else in Scotland. The original tower dates to the 1550s and has barely been altered since. The Great Hall ceiling is a gallery of 16th-century portraits, heraldic beasts, and moral verses — all painted directly onto the plaster.

The real surprise at Crathes is the garden. Eight distinct compartments, each planted differently, designed to give colour across every season. The yew hedges are three centuries old — enormous dark walls of green that divide the garden into outdoor rooms. Allow at least half a day here.

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Dunnottar Castle — At the Edge of the Sea

No photograph quite prepares you for Dunnottar. It sits on a rocky headland just south of Stonehaven, jutting into the North Sea with cliffs on three sides and a single narrow path as the only way in. The walk down to the gatehouse passes over a rock bridge above crashing waves.

Dunnottar has held Scotland’s Crown Jewels, withstood siege by Cromwell’s army for eight months, and — according to one account — inspired Bram Stoker during a stay in the area. It is open year-round and one of the most photographed castle ruins in Europe.

Book a guided Dunnottar Castle tour

Fyvie Castle — Five Towers, Five Families

Fyvie Castle, near Turriff, tells Aberdeenshire’s history through its architecture. Each of its five towers was added by a different powerful family over five centuries: the Prestons, Meldrums, Setons, Gordons, and Leiths. Each left their mark on the stone.

The castle holds one of Scotland’s finest collections of 17th-century portraits. The wheel staircase is considered one of the great examples of Scots Baronial craftsmanship anywhere in the country. The grounds include a Scottish walled garden and a loch favoured by wildlife.

Fyvie Castle

Managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Open April to October.

Planning Your Aberdeenshire Castle Trail

A long weekend gives you time for four or five major castles without rushing. Aberdeen city makes an excellent base — Marischal College in the city centre is one of the world’s largest granite buildings, and the harbour area is worth an evening walk.

Best time to visit: April to October, when National Trust for Scotland properties are fully open. September offers golden autumn light with noticeably fewer summer crowds.

Getting there: Aberdeen International Airport has direct flights from London, Amsterdam, and several European cities. Edinburgh is a two-hour drive south on the A90. Most castles are well signposted from the main roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Aberdeenshire Castle Trail?

The Aberdeenshire Castle Trail is a self-drive route linking the region’s key historic castles, including Craigievar, Crathes, Drum, Kildrummy, and Balmoral. Most castles are within an hour’s drive of Aberdeen city and are clearly signposted from main roads.

How many castles are there in Aberdeenshire?

Aberdeenshire is home to more than 300 castles, more than any other Scottish county. Not all are open to visitors — some are private estates and others are ruins — but dozens welcome the public, with several managed by the National Trust for Scotland.

Which Aberdeenshire castle is best to visit first?

For first-time visitors, Craigievar Castle is the obvious starting point — its distinctive pink tower is one of the most iconic sights in Scotland. For dramatic setting and history, Dunnottar Castle is unmatched. Crathes Castle offers the best combination of architecture and exceptional gardens.

Most travellers see Scotland through the windscreen on the A9 or the window of a Skye ferry. Aberdeenshire sits quietly to the east, off the main tourist trail, with more castles than most European countries have in their entire territory.

The 300 are still there. Most have been waiting for centuries. A few more days won’t trouble them — but they’ll certainly change yours.

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Secure Your Dream Scottish Experience Before It’s Gone!

Planning a trip to Scotland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions dampen your adventure. Iconic experiences like exploring Edinburgh Castle, cruising along Loch Ness, or wandering through the mystical Isle of Skye often fill up fast—especially during peak travel seasons.

Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Scotland's hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.

Make the most of your journey—start planning today and secure those must-do experiences before they’re gone!