15 Best Aberdeenshire Castles To Visit

There are over 300 Aberdeenshire Castles, that’s more per acre than anywhere else in Britain. From clifftop fortresses to modified tower-houses and from romantic, war-torn ruins to lavish, luxury homes. No matter what you’re interested in, you’ll find it here.

It’s no surprise then that Aberdeenshire is known as Castle Country, but there’s almost too much choice! To make things a little easier for you, I’ve put together a list of my top 15 Aberdeenshire Castles with a story behind each one. Prepare to travel from Aberdeenshire’s rocky coastline, through fertile farmland, right up to its wild, mountain passes.

1 – Crathes Castle

The 16th century Crathes Castle, once home to the Burnetts of Leys, is one of the most picturesque Aberdeenshire castles. It also has its share of ghostly figures including the Green Lady, spotted by Queen Victoria herself. Appearing as a woman carrying a baby or green orb, she travels across the room and into the fireplace.

Allegedly, she was a servant girl who became pregnant by an unknown father, mysteriously disappearing after giving birth. Whatever the truth behind the legend is, during renovations, the bones of a young child were discovered beneath the hearth in the haunted room.

I once worked as a guide at Crathes Castle, when an Australian tourist visited on a quiet day. Just as she set foot on the staircase before the Green Lady’s room, she heard a clear voice in her ear. “Don’t go in the next room. Don’t go in. Get out, now.” She raced outside at top speed and refused to finish the tour!

Before the present castle, the Burnett family lived on an artificial island in the middle of a nearby loch. That was where the young Alexander Burnett was preparing to marry his beloved Bertha, but unfortunately, his mother Lady Agnes didn’t approve.

When Alexander had to leave overnight, Agnes saw her chance, poisoning Bertha during dinner. Alexander strongly suspected his mother was involved, but didn’t know how to prove it. On the wedding day, Bertha’s parents arrived to find their daughter in a shroud. As they approached the Burnetts, a look of terror came over Agnes who cried, “She comes!” before dropping dead at their feet.

It’s said that every year on the anniversary of Bertha’s death, the White Lady walks between the old island and the newer Crathes Castle.

2 – Craigievar Castle

Probably the most photographed Aberdeenshire Castle, Craigievar is often known as just the pink castle. The castle isn’t just painted pink for the tourists though, this is thought to be the original colour from when the tower was completed by William Forbes in 1610. It comes from the stone’s weatherproof coating known as harling – literally hurled at the walls!

The builder Williams Forbes’ grandson was the Red Sir John, called that both due to his hair and fiery temper. One day, when he thought he was alone in Craigievar Castle, he heard giggling coming from the bedroom upstairs. Sword in hand, Red John burst in to find his daughter in bed with a son of the Gordon chief.

They were the Forbes’ sworn enemies, many castles in Aberdeenshire still bear marks from their feuds. Without the chance to put his clothes on, the young Gordon found himself fighting for his life. It was contest, the Gordon found himself backed up against the window with two choices.

1. Be run through by John’s sword.
2. Jump from the window.

In the end, a 50 foot fall onto granite slabs wasn’t gentle and the boy was killed.

Today, the window he jumped from is blocked up by a huge bed panel in an attempt to stop the Gordon ghost from climbing back in. It hasn’t worked and visitors, often men, find their clothes being tugged sometimes. Clearly the ghost is still naked and wants a bit of decency.

3 – Fyvie Castle

You might start to think that every castle in Aberdeenshire is haunted, but dating from the 13th century, Fyvie Castle has a suitably dramatic story to go with its ghost. There’s even a sealed room inside, never to be entered otherwise the Laird will die and his wife go blind. Legend says that two disbelieving Lairds found that out the hard way…

When the Border’s prophet Thomas Rhymer arrived at Fyvie, the gates slammed shut in his face. Placing his own curse upon the castle, until three “weeping stones” are removed from the castle, there will always be problems with the owner’s succession. One stone is on display, another was built into a tower and the third was lost in the river. Looks like the curse is there to stay.

Lilias Drummond haunts this Aberdeenshire Castle, held captive here by her husband for failing to produce an heir. From her cell, she was forced to watch family members who attempted a rescue as they were brutally murdered. Eventually, she starved to death, but Lilias refused to go out with a whimper.

On the night when her husband remarried, a horrific wailing and scratching could be heard outside his bedroom window. When they checked in the light of morning, the name Dame Lilias Drummond was scratched into the stone window ledge. It faces outwards, dozens of feet above the ground where it can still be seen today.

It seems poor Lilias was punished thanks to Thomas’ curse. Mediums have communicated with her in the past and she claims to be a friendly ghost, there to keep an eye on the more troublesome spirits that wander the halls.

This is one Aberdeenshire castle that you can actually spend the night in, but would you be brave enough?

4 – Drum Castle

Drum Castle is a fascinating place, beginning life as an imposing 13th century tower, but as you walk around the outside it takes you on a journey through time. Robert the Bruce rewarded the Irvines loyalty with this land in 1323 along with the Forest of Drum surrounding it. It remained their home for the next 650 years, adding to the castle with the changing fashions.

The Irvines of Drum carried on supporting the Scottish crown during the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. A horde of islanders pillaging the northeast were stopped by the men of Aberdeenshire near Inverurie. Alexander Irvine of Drum fought Red Hector Maclean of the Battles to a standstill. Both clan chiefs eventually died from their wounds, slumped side by side.

The tradition of loyalty continued with the Jacobites, and the 17th Laird was forced to hide from the Redcoats after Culloden. Rather than fleeing the country, he managed to avoid detection in a secret room in Drum Castle. He kept his head, but unfortunately the soldiers made off with most of the family silver.

5 – Castle Fraser

When it comes to modified tower houses, Castle Fraser is simply enormous. Most of this Aberdeenshire castle was built in the 16th century, home to the Lords of Fraser and swallowing up an even older tower into the walls.

King James II granted the area to a Thomas Fraser after deciding that the Earldom of Mar was far too big to be ruled by one man. He split it up to reward several of his most loyal supporters and make sure none of them would become a little too powerful.

Castle Fraser stayed in the family until the 17th century when the 2nd Lord Fraser made some poor financial decisions and the pressure began to show. When the castle was inherited by the elderly Elyza Fraser, she nominated her nephew as the heir. The only problem was that he wasn’t actually a Fraser.

His name was Alexander Mackenzie and so changed his name to Alexander Mackenzie Fraser. That might sound familiar to Outlander fans and while it isn’t one of the show’s filming sites, it’s absolutely worth a visit!

As we’ve seen, plenty of Aberdeenshire castles have ghosts, but this is the only one with ghost blood! Castle Fraser’s Green Room is said to have witnessed a brutal murder, where the victim was then dragged down to be disposed of. No matter how much the servants scrubbed, the bloodstain on the stairs kept reappearing. Eventually they just covered the staircase with wood panelling to hide it.

6 – New Slains Castle

Away from Aberdeenshire’s collection of comfortable National Trust properties, it’s time for some more dramatic fortresses. New Slains Castle is one of the most complete ruins you’ll find in Scotland. It’s sturdy enough to wander the halls at ease, just don’t go too close to the cliff edge. It just needs a roof, a few dozen windows and Slains would be ready to move into!

This dramatic Aberdeenshire castle helped to inspire Bram Stoker who wrote much of his Dracula novel in nearby Cruden Bay. It was still in one piece during his frequent visits, although surely no less imposing. Fans of the novel might recognise the central, octagonal hall, a feature unique to Slains. I like to think Stoker may even have heard stories of Scottish Vampires to help with his research.

The castle is called New Slains Castle since it was built in the 16th century to replace Old Slains further down the coast. That was destroyed on the orders of James VI after the Earl of Erroll had been caught up in one rebellion too many. He was lucky enough to talk his way back into favour and be re-granted his land to build the new castle.

Originally a simple tower with a courtyard, New Slains grew into a sprawling Scots Baronial mansion. In the early 20th century it was sold to a wealthy businessman, but the roof would soon be removed to save paying tax. There have been talks in the past about turning Slains into holiday apartments or a hotel, but I’m not sure I’d stay in Castle Dracula!

7 – Dunnottar Castle

Probably the most famous castle in Aberdeenshire, Dunnottar Castle is instantly recognisable. This easily defended lump has been occupied for over a thousand years and an early Scottish King, Donald II, is said to have been killed here in battle. Conflict has definitely been no stranger to Dunnottar.

In 1297, an English garrison held Dunnottar Castle as the strongest fortress in Aberdeenshire. Legend says that William Wallace arrived with a band of warriors and a fearsome reputation. The English soldiers were rightly terrified, even a stronghold this impressive couldn’t keep Wallace out.

The English crammed into a wee chapel at Dunnottar, believing the Scots wouldn’t dare desecrate holy ground. Others took their chance jumping off the steep cliff. Neither option worked. Wallace burned the church with everybody inside and those who made the leap met a faster, but no less horrific death.

In the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell’s army arrived at Dunnottar Castle looking for the Honours of Scotland. The crown, sceptre and sword had been safely hidden, here inside the country’s strongest fortress. It wasn’t designed to withstand cannons though, Dunnotter held out for months but wouldn’t last forever.

Time to get the Honours back out again and there are two stories about how it happened. The first claims Christine Fletcher, wife of a local minister, smuggled them out, right under the nose of the besieging army. A much later version had Fletcher lowering them from a window to the beach where her servant hid them in a creel.

Either way, they were buried beneath the floorboards of the church at Kinneff. Cromwell’s army stormed Dunnottar Castle, just to be told the treasure had already been sent overseas. Nine years later, Charles II was back in charge, the Honours were dug up and put back where they belonged!

8 – Corgarff Castle

Far from the coastline, hidden away in windy Strathdon, stands the lonely Corgarff Castle. Unmistakeable with its bright white colour and defensive star-shaped wall, it’s had a varied life. Once a government barracks after the Jacobite risings, then used to crack down on illicit whisky distilling. Before all of that though, Corgarff was home to the Forbes of Towie.

During the Marian war, the Forbes supported the young James VI, while the Gordons supported Mary Queen of Scots. After Adam Gordon had just won a small victory nearby, he decided to press home his advantage by taking control of Corgarff Castle.

None of the Forbes men had managed to return to the castle when Adam and his troops came knocking. Margaret Forbes, the matriarch of the house, was no wilting flower though. She firmly told them to get lost, but the foolish Gordons didn’t listen. Just to make sure they got the message, Margaret fired a pistol out of the window, shattering one of their kneecaps!

The Gordons were furious and with their blood still up, they piled firewood and kindling around the Corgarff Castle. Tragically, Margaret and 23 others burned to death inside. Adam became notorious and a legendary ballad Edom O’ Gordon was based on his act of cruelty.

9 – Braemar Castle

Braemar Castle looks unusual with its star shaped wall and jutting turrets. It’s fitting then that it has a bit of an unusual history. The castle was built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar, allegedly as a hunting lodge, but really to stamp his authority on the area. The Farquharsons were getting out of hand so Mar was hoping this might keep them in check.

Around 60 years later, John Farquharson “the Black Colonel” fought off a small government army before burning Braemar Castle to the ground. Then in a twist of fate, the Black Colonel’s descendant bought the castle ruins. Less than 100 years after it had been built to suppress the Farquharsons, they had absorbed it into their growing lands.

Just to add to Braemar’s twists and turns, the castle was leased to the government who rebuilt it much as we see today. After being burned by a Farquharson to prevent the army using it to suppress the Highlands, it was leased out by another Farquharson for that very purpose. In 1831 it was abandoned by the military and returned to the owners.

Typical of an Aberdeenshire castle, there’s a ghost haunting Braemar Castle with a truly tragic tale. She’s a young, blonde bride who only shows herself to recently married grooms. In life she had been a nervous girl, never really believing that her future husband truly loved her. Even though they had just been married, she was convinced he would leave her.

Spending the first night of marriage in Braemar Castle, the girl woke in the bedroom all alone. Believing that her husband had already ran away, she threw herself from a turret in despair. Her husband arrived back from an early morning celebratory hunt to find his bride dead and his heart broken.

10 – Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle has been in the news much more of late after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. It’s one of the more modern Aberdeenshire castles, built for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, setting a trend for Scots Baronial buildings across the country.

The royal couple fell in love with the Highlands. In the mid 19th century they purchased Balmoral, re-built the entire thing to become their private escape from the public. Victoria said it breathed freedom and peace while Albert thought the area reminded him of his German homeland.

While the royals had strict protocols and traditions to follow down in England, they felt free at Balmoral. No matter what people feel about the monarchy, while Victoria and Albert were here, they were just a married couple deep in love.

Then in 1861 Albert died at the age of 42 and left the Queen devastated. After 21 years of marriage, she never truly recovered from his death, spending more time here at Balmoral to remember him. Victoria left a lasting mark for both Albert and other family members in the hills around the castle, available to visit all year round.

There are 11 cairns in total in these hills, mostly commemorating the marriages of Victoria’s children. However, by far the largest and at the very highest point looking out over the estate, is a pyramid dedicated to Albert.

It’s inscribed with the following words:

‘To the beloved memory of Albert the great and good Prince Consort. Erected by his broken hearted widow Victoria R. 21st August 1862’.

The full route takes around 3 hours, but if you just want to see Prince Albert’s pyramid it takes about half that!

11 – Kildrummy Castle

Kildrummy Castle is known as the noblest of Aberdeenshire castles, even as a ruin. It boasts an enormous curtain wall and four towers, one was once seven stories high! Built in the 13^th century, it was one of Scotland’s most secure locations.

That’s why Robert the Bruce sent his wife and child here in 1306 after he was forced on the run. They were protected by his brother Neil, but Edward the Prince of Wales had discovered their location. Kildrummy Castle was strong and easily defended, so the English had their work cut out.

Fearing the inevitable, the women slipped out of the castle, attempting to flee north but were soon caught and dragged to England as prisoners. Neil Bruce stayed behind to distract the besieging army, holding on for six weeks. In the end it wouldn’t be force that undid the Scots, but betrayal.

It’s said that the castle blacksmith was bribed to start a fire inside the walls. Just as the flames began spreading, the attackers rushed the walls and there was little the defenders could do fighting on two sides. Neil Bruce was hanged by Edward and the treacherous blacksmith got his gold, melted and poured down his throat.

In 1335, it was Robert the Bruce’s sister Christina defending the fortress. Edward Balliol had come north with 3000 men to try and take the throne from the rightful King David II. Only 300 men stood in their way, led bravely by Christina and defending long enough for her husband Andrew Murray to arrive with reinforcements.

They were still badly outnumbered, but the defenders destroyed the rebels on St Andrews Day. It’s not a famous battle, but the victory at Kildrummy Castle was an important turning point in the war and securing the Bruce succession.

12 – Tolquhon Castle

Sadly, Tolquhon Castle is one castle in Aberdeenshire which is often forgotten. The oldest section of this ruin is the Preston Tower, dating back to the early 15th century although Sir Henry Preston died without a male heir in 1420. The lands were split between his daughters and the Tolquhon half ended up with the younger who had married Sir John Forbes.

The castle remained a simple tower for 350 years until the 7th Laird, William Forbes decided to show off his wealth. He turned Tolquhon Castle into this exceptional quadrangle, designed more for style over defense. This new castle was enjoyed peacefully for years, the family reaching new heights after the 10th Laird saved King Charles’ life.

Then all of a sudden, the 11th Laird lost it all. Tolquhan Castle fell prey to one of the biggest disasters in Scottish history. Not a battle, a fire or a plague but an economic investment called the Darien Scheme. It was an attempt to replicate the successful East and West India Trading companies by establishing a lucrative colony in Panama in the 1690s.

Many noble Scottish families backed the idea and when it failed, a large chunk of the country were bankrupt. William Forbes had invested heavily and tried to struggle on, hoping the 1715 Jacobite rising was a chance to wash away his debt. After that also failed, the family had no option but to sell the castle in 1716.

The Laird didn’t want to leave though and he put the castle’s defences to the test. William barricaded himself inside for almost 2 years. Eventually, government troops arrived and the stubborn Laird was “wounded and dislodged.” If I had a castle, I don’t think I’d want to leave either!

13 – Huntly Castle

The Gordon name pops up around so many castles in Aberdeenshire and Huntly Castle was their main seat. It was one of the most impressive homes in Scotland for one of its most powerful families. The Earls of Huntly were never a quiet bunch, some of them even kicked up a fuss after death.

In 1578, the 5th Earl suddenly collapsed during a game of football in the grounds of Huntly Castle. He was carried inside, vomiting black blood where he died, the body being left in his chamber. That’s when events took a supernatural turn.

People began complaining of an icy chill in the rooms near the Earl’s body. One of his friends couldn’t stop shivering, even in front of a roaring fire, before dropping down as if dead. Two more entered the Earl’s room and crumpled to the floor in the same way. When they woke up, all they remembered was a cold, dark feeling before they passed out.

A surgeon from Aberdeen arrived but failed to determine the cause of the Earl’s sudden death. The body was transported to the chapel in preparation for burial, but now shuffling and scraping could be heard in the Earl’s locked bedroom.

The group plucked up the courage to peer into the dark room. It was empty. Slowly, the Earl’s brother walked in and the noises started again, all around him. He retreated quickly to return armed with plenty of candles for one last look.

Before he could even step foot inside, the candles began to flicker. The shuffling noises were now louder than ever. Whatever was hiding in the Earl’s bedroom clearly didn’t want disturbed and they wisely decided to leave it alone.

14 – Gight Castle

I found Gight Castle so fascinating that I actually dedicated an entire article to its three mysterious legends! It’s not maintained at all or run by any heritage organisation, but it’s a really nice walk along the Ythan River to reach the ruin. Going inside Gight Castle is another matter entirely.

It was another stronghold belonging to the Gordons, who were targeted by Covenanter forces during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. There was little the 7th Laird of Gight could do to defend his home so he decided to protect his wealth another way. Gold and jewels were bundled up and hidden at the bottom of a deep pool in the river.

When the coast was clear again, it was time to return to the spot and collect it. Obviously a man of his stature wouldn’t dive down into the river, he sent his servant. Suddenly, the man burst back to the surface in a panic, screaming that the Devil himself was down there guarding the horde!

The Laird wasn’t somebody to be refused, he was almost as terrifying as Auld Nick himself. Forcing his servant back down into the depths he told him to stop being so ridiculous! As the seconds passed, even the Laird began to get a little concerned, before the diver finally appeared again.

He had floated to the surface in four separate pieces.

You won’t be surprised to hear that his ghost is supposed to still wander the grounds. Maybe that’s what was spooking Molly when we clambered around inside Gight Castle one day. When your usually carefree dog refuses to go past a doorway with a whimper, that’s your warning to get out. Get out fast!

15 – Knock Castle

There have been a lot of sad stories from these Aberdeenshire castles, but Knock Castle might have the most tragic tale of all. You can find it on a small hill above Ballater in Aberdeenshire, there’s no car park but that just means it’s usually a quiet, peaceful spot.

Home to a minor branch of the Gordon family, Knock didn’t see much action. They did have to watch out for their natural enemies the Forbes, so Alexander Gordon upgraded the castle in the 17th century. He added musket holes underneath the windows and although Knock Castle was small, he must have felt secure.

But the Gordons couldn’t stay inside forever. A castle needs roaring fires, and all seven of Alexander’s sons went out to cut peat one day for burning. Heading so close to Forbes territory, they needed strength in numbers. When a servant took the boys some lunch, he was met with a terrible sight.

The Gordons had strayed across the agreed border enough to provoke the Forbes’ wrath. All seven had been killed and their heads planted on top of their peat spades. When the news reached Alexander that his entire brood of children were dead, it was too much for the old man. He fainted from shock, fell down the stairs and died.

It seems like this ill-fated family may have been the last to live at Knock Castle. It disappeared from records until 1840 when it was painted as a romantic ruin. Anybody who planned on moving in was probably put off by the ghost of Alexander Gordon, sobbing for his lost boys.

If you enjoyed these Aberdeenshire Castles and you’re looking for somewhere new to explore, why not make your away around the seven Isle of Skye castles?

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