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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.
Morayshire

Balvenie Castle

A great medieval castle in ruins on the northern edge of Dufftown, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

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Welcome

Balvenie is a wonderful ruin to wander round, on a rise above the River Fiddich.

Its story begins in the 1200s with the Comyns, earls of Buchan, and much of their thick curtain wall still stands, with a wide ditch round two sides. The Black Douglases held it in the 1400s. Then, in the mid 1500s, John Stewart, the fourth Earl of Atholl, made the old fortress a home, building new lodgings with a big round tower into its east side. On the front he put three coats of arms: the royal arms, his own and his wife's. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed here in September 1562. Look out, too, for the original stone sink in what was the kitchen, built in the 1400s.

A little further outMoray Golf ClubOld Tom Morris's links of 1889 on the shore at Lossiemouth, with Covesea lighthouse at one end and the clubhouse above the last green.34 min by roadSee itMoray Golf Club
Before you go

Open from April to September only: closed from October to March.

Open
Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm, closing for lunch from 12.30 to 1.30. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.
Tickets
Cheaper online from Historic Environment Scotland than at the gate.
Parking
A small free car park beside the ticket office.
Access
Cobbled ground from the car park and across the courtyard, with changes in level of up to 30cm. Spiral stairs climb to the upper floors, and the shop has two short ramps.
Toilets
There are toilets on site.
Conservation work
Some parts may be fenced off while work goes on.

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Where it is

On Castle Road in Dufftown, beyond Glenfiddich, AB55 4GH.

Close byDufftown and Speyside.
  1. Glenfiddich DistilleryGlenfiddich DistilleryThe family-owned distillery at Dufftown that William Grant built by hand in 1886, with tours, tastings, a cafe and the Malt Barn.Under a mile 2 min by road
  2. Sidings CafeSidings CafeA cafe in two 1950s railway carriages at Dufftown station, serving light lunches, home bakes and cream teas for the heritage trains.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. Dufftown station sign mounted on a wooden shed with railway carriage alongsideThe Keith & Dufftown RailwayBritain's most northerly heritage railway, running old diesel trains through the whisky country between Dufftown and Keith, with cream teas on board.Under a mile 2 min by road
  4. BEINN Coffee & Books, MorayshireBEINN Coffee & BooksA coffee shop with a bookshop behind it on Balvenie Street in Dufftown, open every day from eight.Under a mile 2 min by road
  5. DufftownDufftownA granite Speyside town laid out in 1817 round its clock tower, the self-styled malt whisky capital.Under a mile 3 min by road
  6. Ruined stone castle atop a grassy mound beneath a cloudy skyAuchindoun CastleThe lonely ruin of a 1400s stronghold high on a hill above the glen near Dufftown, free to wander.3 miles 6 min by road
  7. Speyside CooperageSpeyside CooperageA working cooperage near Craigellachie, making and mending whisky casks since 1947, with a viewing gallery above the coopers at work.3 miles 6 min by road
  8. A cast-iron arched bridge with castellated stone towers spans a rocky river gorge, pine-covered cliffs rising on the far bank.CraigellachieA small Speyside village where the Spey meets the Fiddich, with Telford's graceful iron bridge of 1814.5 miles 8 min by road
Directions
The Fiddichside Inn's name is painted in red across its whitewashed chimney gable.BarsThe Fiddichside Inn4.4 miles
War memorial with poppy wreaths in front of a stone church towerRestaurantsAberlour Hotel5.9 miles
The wave of the timber roof over the Macallan distillery building on its grass-covered hillside in autumn light.RestaurantsTimeSpirit6.5 miles
Concrete trig point overlooking layered hills at sunsetWalksBen Rinnes6.7 miles
The Auld Brig's single stone arch over the slow, clear River Isla in Keith, between grassy banks and trees in leaf.AttractionsThe Auld Brig, Keith10 miles
Strathisla's twin pagoda-roofed kilns and tall chimney behind a sunlit lawn, with purple heather in front and trees in leaf.AttractionsStrathisla Distillery11 miles
Close-up of a bald eagle's white head and hooked yellow beakAttractionsHuntly Falconry Centre12 miles
Cardhu distillery building with pagoda roofs and red door under grey skyAttractionsCardhu Distillery12 miles
Long spinning frame with wound bobbins fills a stone-walled mill roomRestaurantsKnockando Woolmill12 miles

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The Daily for 23 October, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a concrete road bridge with angled supports spanning a sea loch, twin cloud-wrapped mountain peaks rising behind autumn-coloured hills.

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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
  • 15 miles from Balvenie Castle
Free 31 Oct – 3 NovThe Gatehouse, MorayshireThe Gatehouse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgin
  • 15 miles from Balvenie Castle
Check datesA yellow-harled tower house with battlements flies a flag above conical yew trees and a lawn.Innes House
  • Sleeps 38
  • In Elgin
  • 15 miles from Balvenie Castle
Check datesA white harled farmhouse with a slate roof and chimneys stands amid greenery under a blue sky.Viewfield Farmhouse
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Elgin
  • 15 miles from Balvenie Castle
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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