Crathes Castle
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust for Scotland
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Stonehaven, 10.4 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Crathes, Banchory AB31 5QJ
Telephone 01330 844525
More castles in Aberdeenshire →
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Crathes is a 16th-century tower house built by the Burnett family, known for painted ceilings among the best surviving examples in Scotland, and a walled garden reviewers rank among the finest of the National Trust for Scotland's properties. It's a self-guided tour through the castle, with woodland trails and an atmospheric cafe rounding out the estate.
Worth the trip
The painted ceilings and the walled garden - reviewers repeatedly name both as reasons Crathes stands out even among a strong field of Aberdeenshire castles.
Before you go
Gardens-only tickets are available at £7.50, plus £5 parking, if you don't want the full castle visit. The garden itself isn't dog-friendly, though the wider estate and woodland trails are.
Visitors consistently highlight the walled garden as a major draw alongside the 16th-century castle's spiral staircases and painted ceilings, with knowledgeable staff and volunteers and a well-liked on-site cafe also mentioned repeatedly. One practical note recurs: the self-guided tour involves tight circular stairs that require good mobility, and the site can get busy when extra family activities are running in the grounds.
16th-century tower house with painted ceilings and gardens
“Great morning looking around the castle and grounds, lovely cosy place with lots of history. Very informative knowledge staff and volunteers to help.”- David Bosworth., visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “The gardens-only tickets cost £7.50 per person, plus £5 for all day parking.” - Michaela Cameron
- Guided tours
- “It Is a self guided tour through the castle going up one set of very tight circular stairs and returning back down to ground level on a second set of stairs.” - John Rankin
- Terrain & accessibility
- “You do need good mobility to manage these stairs.” - John Rankin
- Facilities
- “Topped and tailed with lunch and tea in the bright, spacious café, our visit on a brilliantly sunny May afternoon was a joy.” - Daphne and Jon Shepherd
Common questions about Crathes Castle
Where is Crathes Castle?
Crathes Castle is in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at Crathes, Banchory AB31 5QJ.
Do you need a ticket to visit Crathes Castle?
Yes - Crathes Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust for Scotland. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Is Crathes Castle dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Crathes Castle - one reviewer noted: “…for all day parking. The gardens aren't dog friendly, but the rest of the estate is.”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
What is the highlight of visiting Crathes Castle?
The painted ceilings and the walled garden - reviewers repeatedly name both as reasons Crathes stands out even among a strong field of Aberdeenshire castles.
Is Crathes Castle a ruin or still intact?
Crathes Castle is largely intact - 16th-century tower house with painted ceilings and gardens.
