Castle Hunting in Aberdeenshire
Written by Graeme Johncock
With more castles per acre than anywhere else in Scotland, it’s no surprise that Aberdeenshire is known as “Castle Country”. Driving around the countryside when I was at university in Aberdeen, hopping from castle to castle, gave me an even deeper love for these epic historic buildings. There are so many castles around Aberdeenshire, it can be hard to know where to start, so here’s my pick of the most accessible that you can easily visit in just one day.
Drum Castle
Drum Castle is an incredibly impressive castle to begin the day with. While other families abandoned old medieval towers to crumble in favour of more modern mansions, the Irvines embraced their historic home. Granted this land in 1323 by Robert the Bruce, they may have added new wings, but the...
Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle might not be as large as Drum, but it feels a little more luxurious. Built in the late 1500s by the Burnetts, I used to work inside its harled walls, but I’m not biased when I tell you it’s an incredible place. Alongside family heirlooms, several of the...
Hidden Scotland Shop
Just outside the castle grounds, you’ll find a courtyard of independent retailers at Milton of Crathes, most important amongst them – the Hidden Scotland Shop! It’s an ideal place to pick up some authentic Scottish products, including the Scotland’s Stories book.
Midmar Stone Circle
There’s a lot more than just castles in Aberdeenshire and there’s one thing here that you won’t find anywhere else – recumbent stone circles! Unlike other stone circles that you can find around Scotland, these have one enormous stone lying horizontally with two pillars flanking it. Midmar is particularly interesting...
Lunch at The Forest Café
Head into the nearby woods for a perfect lunch at the Forest Café. Alongside your usual soups, potatoes and paninis, the smash burgers are absolutely fantastic!
Castle Fraser
With roots back to the 15th century, Castle Fraser was once home to a lower branch of Clan Fraser but you wouldn’t know it from how grand the building is! Rather than adding extra wings to the castle or moving to a mansion with more space, the Frasers just made...
Fyvie Castle
The castle-packed day ends with one of the most impressive in the region. Fyvie Castle is simply enormous, it’s like every family who took over the building added their own tower to it! Said to have been cursed by the 13th-century prophet Thomas the Rhymer, the castle hasn’t had an...
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