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Ballindalloch Castle, a white tower house with turrets and ivy on its lower walls, under a deep blue sky.
Morayshire

Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens

The Macpherson-Grant family's home on the River Avon since 1546, with a castle to explore, three gardens and walks by the rivers.

Welcome

Where the River Avon meets the Spey, Ballindalloch Castle has been the home of one family since 1546.

The Macpherson-Grants still live here, and walking through its rooms of fine furniture and paintings feels like a visit to a much-loved family house.

Legend says the first laird planned to build on the hill, but a great wind and a spectral voice told him to build on the coo haugh, the cows' meadow by the river, and so he did.

The gardens are the pride of the estate: a rockery with lovely views of the castle, a romantic courtyard garden and a walled garden redesigned in 1996, with a glorious rose garden. There are walks along the rivers, a playground, a picnic area, a courtyard cafe and a shop.

The castle opens from spring to the end of September, Sunday to Thursday, and there is no need to book.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Not farBrodie Castle18 milesSee itBrodie Castle
Before you go

Open Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm (last entry 4pm), from late March to 30 September.

Closed Fridays and Saturdays.

Where
Ballindalloch, AB37 9AX.
Tickets
Castle and grounds £17; grounds only £10.
Season
Reopens 23 March 2027.

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Where it is

Just off the A95 between Grantown-on-Spey and Aberlour, AB37 9AX.

Close bySpeyside.
  1. The Inveravon Pictish stones in their lit porch at the church, grey slabs carved with an eagle, discs and a crescent.Inveravon Pictish StonesPictish stones by the Avon nearby.2 miles 9 min by road
  2. Long spinning frame with wound bobbins fills a stone-walled mill roomKnockando Woolmill8 miles 18 min by road
  3. Cardhu DistilleryCardhu DistilleryThe distillery at Knockando.8 miles 18 min by road
  4. The wave of the timber roof over the Macallan distillery building on its grass-covered hillside in autumn light.TimeSpirit8 miles as the crow flies
  5. War memorial with poppy wreaths in front of a stone church towerAberlour Hotel8 miles 17 min by road
  6. Concrete trig point overlooking layered hills at sunsetBen RinnesThe hill of Speyside.13 miles 25 min by road
Directions
The courtyard front of Balvenie Castle, the round tower and gateway of the Atholl Lodging rising over a cobbled yard, a well and a lawn under grey cloud.AttractionsBalvenie Castle9.5 miles
Water buffalo standing in rushes at Thorabella Farm under an orange sunset sky.ShoppingThorabella Farm9.8 miles
A cast-iron arched bridge with castellated stone towers spans a rocky river gorge, pine-covered cliffs rising on the far bank.AttractionsCraigellachie10 miles
The Fiddichside Inn's name is painted in red across its whitewashed chimney gable.BarsThe Fiddichside Inn11 miles
Worker in red shirt steams whisky casks beside a warehouse boilerAttractionsSpeyside Cooperage11 miles
Sidings Cafe, MorayshireRestaurantsSidings Cafe13 miles
Dufftown station sign mounted on a wooden shed with railway carriage alongsideAttractionsThe Keith & Dufftown Railway13 miles
The Glenfiddich Distillery sign beside whitewashed buildings and a stone wallAttractionsGlenfiddich Distillery14 miles
BEINN Coffee & Books, MorayshireShoppingBEINN Coffee & Books14 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

The timber cabin lit at dusk against a pink sky, a hot tub steaming on the deck beside two chairs.Callie Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Pluscarden
  • 12 miles from Ballindalloch
Free 31 Oct – 3 NovEast Dell in spring sunshine, a low stone cottage with a red door and a mossy roof beside its garden and an old oak.East Dell
  • Sleeps 5
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 15 miles from Ballindalloch
Check datesA wooden gate in a picket fence opens onto Little Dell's green garden, with cow parsley and a wooden bench beyond.Little Dell
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 15 miles from Ballindalloch
Check datesWest Dell, a whitewashed stone cottage with a red door and a slate roof, in low winter sun.West Dell
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 15 miles from Ballindalloch
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in MorayshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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