Aberdeen City & Shire

Craigievar Castle

A fairytale setting for a Scottish castle packed with history, armour and art

Overview

Alert warning

The castle, kiosk, toilets and shop are open from Thursday–Sunday. The estate is open daily. Please see the Planning Your Visit section for more information. *Please note pre-booking is NOT possible – entry to the castle is on a first-come, first-served basis, with household groups/bubbles at 10-minute intervals.*

Overview

Discover the beautiful pink castle said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
Admire an impressive collection of artefacts and art, including Raeburns, armour and weapons.
Experience an authentic tour of the castle, with no artificial lighting beyond the ground floor.
Explore the gardens and woodland trails, keeping an eye out for the rare pine marten.
Enjoy a peaceful break in one of our holiday cottages with lovely views of the castle.

Today’s Opening Hours

Castle, shop & kiosk: 10.30–16.00
Grounds: Dawn–dusk

See full opening times

Entry prices

Adult: £14.50
Concession: £11.00
Family: £33.00
One adult family: £27.50
Young Scot: £1.00

See all entry prices

Membership

At all Trust places, admission is free for members.

Join from £4.65 / month

A view across the grounds of Craigievar Castle in the autumn
A rare pine marten in the grounds of Craigievar Castle
Paintings and furniture adorn a bedroom in Craigievar Castle
The fairytale castle of Craigievar
Blue tartan carpet and wooden furniture adorn the Hall in Craigievar Castle

About this place

Nestled on a picturesque hillside, the elegant pink tower of Craigievar Castle is spellbindingly beautiful, sure to enchant children and adults alike.

Begun in the Scottish Baronial style around 1576, this iconic tower house is among the best preserved and the most loved in Scotland; its exterior remains virtually unchanged since William Forbes completed it c1626. Craigievar was a family home until the 1960s, creating a quirky blend of cosy interiors and rare antiquities within the ancient walls.

In accordance with the former owner’s wishes, artificial light has not been installed in the upper floors. This means that the castle's extensive collection of historic artefacts and art is seen in the shifting light from the sun, exactly as they would have been when they were made.