Crathes Castle

Crathes Castle is a 16th-century tower house castle in northern Scotland. King Robert the Bruce granted the land the castle sits on to the Burnett family in 1323, which was marked by the ancient Horn of Leys that can still be seen in the Great Hall today. The castle is a fine example of a tower house from the 16th century, and some of the rooms still have the original painted ceilings. Many of the family's portraits and antique furniture can be seen throughout the castle, providing a glimpse into what life was like hundreds of years ago.
The Crathes Castle, Gardens and Estate cover an area of about 593 acres. The grounds have formal gardens, seven woodland walks, a pond, and rolling hills typical of the Scottish countryside. There is also a 3.7 acre walled garden with many unusual plants including great yew hedges. A visitor center provides information about the castle as well as an exhibition on the wildlife in the area.

Practical Info

Crathes Castle is located 15 miles west of Aberdeen.