Please note that there is currently no access to our play park; we apologise for any inconvenience.
Getting here
Drum Castle is situated ½ mile off the A93 (the Aberdeen to Banchory road).
Travelling west from Aberdeen, pass through Peterculter. After 3 miles, turn right towards Drum Castle.
Heading east from Banchory, travel 8 miles and then turn left towards Drum Castle.
Buses run every 30 minutes during the day along the A93. The bus stops are ½ mile from the castle (approximately a 20-minute walk).
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Opening times
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Castle, shop and tearoom
Entry to the castle is by guided tours, which run throughout the day; last entry at 3.15pm | Please note that orders for our tearoom are to be placed at the Courtyard Kiosk.
- Current period1 Nov–10 Dec, Sat–Sun, 10.30–16.00 11 Dec–24 Dec, Sat–Sun, open only for Santa event (no tours) 25 Dec–27 Dec, closed 28 Dec–31 Dec, daily, 10.30–16.00 1 Jan 2024–12 Jan, closed 13 Jan–28 Mar, Sat–Sun, 10.30–16.00
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Walled garden
- Current period1 Nov–31 Mar 2024, closed 1 Apr–31 Oct, daily, 10.30–16.00
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Grounds
Please note that there is currently no access to our play park or the Hill Trail; we apologise for any inconvenience.
- Current period1 Jan–31 Dec, daily, dawn–dusk
Entry prices
- Adult
- £15.50
- Family
- £35.00
- One adult family
- £30.00
- Concession
- £12.00
- Young Scot
- £1.00
- Adult
- £5.00
Planning your visit
Please note pre-booking is not required.
Please note that the Tower is currently not accessible to visitors until further notice, due to ongoing structural repairs.
The open walkway and stone walls of the crenellations at the top of the castle are exposed to the harsh Scottish weather and require continual maintenance to ensure they remain watertight. With increasing rainfall posing a greater threat, we are currently investigating new ways of dealing with the water at the top of the tower to ensure that the castle is protected, now and in the future.
This may mean sensitively covering the wall walk and wall heads to prevent water getting into the masonry. This would be the first step in a project that will run over a few years as the water is managed and the tower begins to dry out.
Drone flying is not permitted at this property without prior permission and approval. Commercial operators should contact the Trust’s Filming Manager at filming@nts.org.uk.
Please note that we do not have EV charging facilities at Drum Castle.
Please see our drop-down Facilities below for helpful information about planning your visit. For more information about planning your visit please see some frequently asked questions.
Facilities & access
We have an ongoing programme of accessible content development. Detailed accessibility guides for the most visited Trust places are available on our Accessibility pages as well as links to useful resources.
We’d love you to visit the Euan’s Guide website to review the accessibility of Trust places and tell us (and others) what’s good and where we need to do better.
There’s a designated disabled parking area in the main car park and spaces near the walled garden.
There’s an accessible toilet through the main archway and to the left of the courtyard.
There are baby changing facilities in the accessible toilet, which is through the main archway and to the left of the courtyard.
There are bike racks next to the courtyard and in the main car park.
Mary’s Larder tearoom has indoor seating within the castle, as well as a takeaway offer with outdoor seating available in the courtyard.
Dogs are welcome in the grounds but must be kept on a lead while in the car park, near the children’s play areas, in the courtyard and around the castle areas.
Dogs are not allowed in the walled garden.
A hearing loop is available for castle tours.
We have two holiday properties at Drum Castle:
Courtyard Cottage (sleeps 2)
Holly Leaf Cottage (sleeps 2)
Booking a holiday with the National Trust for Scotland helps us to protect these places, now and for the future.
Car parking is free for members.
Soak up the historical atmosphere whilst picnicking in the grounds.
Buy a range of gifts in the shop.
Toilet facilities are open when the tearoom is open.
The ground floor of the castle, including the shop and tearoom, is accessible for wheelchairs. There’s limited access to the main floor.