Castles · Scottish Highlands
Crathes Castle
In or near Drumoak.
Crathes Castle — 16th century castle in northeast Scotland.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Milton of Crathes · 0.8 km
- Paid entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
Crathes Castle is located in Aberdeenshire, with the nearest railway station being Milton of Crathes, which is 0.8 km away. Entry is paid, and wheelchair accessibility is limited. The postcode for sat-nav is AB31 5QJ.
About
Crathes Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1553. Heritage designation: category A listed building. Owned by National Trust for Scotland. Managed by National Trust for Scotland. Wikidata describes it as: "16th century castle in northeast Scotland". Coordinates: 57.0615°, -2.4399°.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2019
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Heritage listing
Crathes Castle (pronounced KRATH-iss) is a castle built in the 16th century, near Banchory in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is in the historic county of Kincardineshire. This harled castle was built by the Burnetts of Leys and was owned by the family for almost 400 years. The castle and its grounds are currently owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland and are open to the public.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
Summary from the official site
Crathes Castle is a 16th-century turreted castle surrounded by beautiful gardens and nature trails. Visitors can explore its historic interiors adorned with painted ceilings and family portraits, as well as enjoy the walled garden and spot various wildlife along the estate's trails.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Crathes Castle (pronounced KRATH-iss) is a castle built in the 16th century, near Banchory in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is in the historic county of Kincardineshire. This harled castle was built by the Burnetts of Leys and was owned by the family for almost 400 years. The castle and its grounds are currently owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland and are open to the public.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Crathes sits on land given as a gift to the Burnetts of Ley family by King Robert the Bruce in 1323. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Burnett of Leys built a fortress of timbers on an island they made in the middle of a nearby bog. This method of fortification, known as a crannog, was common in the Late Middle Ages. Construction of the current tower house of Crathes Castle was begun in 1553 but delayed several times during its construction due to political problems during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. It was completed in 1596 by Alexander Burnett of Leys, and an additional wing added in the 18th century. Alexander Burnett, who completed the construction of Crathes, began a new…
Architecture
The castle contains a significant collection of portraits, and intriguing original Scottish renaissance painted ceilings survive in several Jacobean rooms: the Chamber of the Muses, the Chamber of Nine Worthies and the Green Lady's Room. Original furniture still in the house and on display includes a carved bed and two caquetoire chairs dating from 1597 and bearing the owners' initials and heraldry.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 57.0615, -2.4399
- District
- Aberdeenshire
- Postcode
- AB31 5QJ
- Parliamentary constituency
- West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
- Established
- 1553
- Nearest railway station
- Milton of Crathes — 0.8 km
- Opening
- Daily 10.00–17.00; last entry 16.15
- Official site
- www.nts.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q2748806 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Crathes Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Crathes Castle from garden.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Royal Deeside Railway
Heritage railways · 0.9 km
Balbridie
Hill forts · 0.9 km
Balbridie, neolithic timber hall site
Archaeological sites · 0.9 km
East Lodge Bridge, Crathes Castle
Historic bridges · 1.0 km
Milton of Cathes Bridge over Turnpike Road
Historic bridges · 1.0 km
Milton of Crathes Old Bridge
Historic bridges · 1.1 km
Welcome to Banchory Stone
Memorials & monuments · 1.4 km
Barn Multi Arts Centre
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Silverbank Caravan Club Site
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Banchory Ternan East Church
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Nearby
📷 4Heritage railways · Scottish Highlands
Royal Deeside Railway
The Royal Deeside Railway is a heritage railway located at Milton of Crathes railway station on a part of the original Deeside Railway, in Scotland, United Kingdom.
📷 3Hill forts · Scottish Highlands
Balbridie
Balbridie — Neolithic timber hall remains in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Archaeological sites · Scottish Highlands
Balbridie, neolithic timber hall site
Balbridie, neolithic timber hall site — a archaeological in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic bridges · Scottish Highlands
East Lodge Bridge, Crathes Castle
East Lodge Bridge, Crathes Castle — category C listed building-listed bridge in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic bridges · Scottish Highlands
Milton of Cathes Bridge over Turnpike Road
Milton of Cathes Bridge over Turnpike Road — category C listed building-listed bridge in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic bridges · Scottish Highlands
Milton of Crathes Old Bridge
Milton of Crathes Old Bridge — category B listed building-listed bridge in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Crathes Castle
Places to stay
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Banchory Lodge Hotel & Restaurant
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Silver Ladies Caravan Park
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📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands
Campfield Caravan Site
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Places to eat & drink
📷 7Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
Burnett Arms Hotel, High Street, Banchory
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📷 7Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
Learney Arms Hotel, The Square, Torphins
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📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
Lairhillock Inn
Lairhillock Inn in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
Grant Arms Hotel, The Square, Monymusk
Grant Arms Hotel, The Square, Monymusk in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
Public House, Alford Place, Aberdeen
Public House, Alford Place, Aberdeen in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
10 Bon-accord Square, Aberdeen
10 Bon-accord Square, Aberdeen in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Crathes Castle?
- Crathes Castle is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode AB31 5QJ).
- What is Crathes Castle?
- Crathes Castle — 16th century castle in northeast Scotland.
- How do I get to Crathes Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Milton of Crathes, about 0.8 km away. Drivers can use postcode AB31 5QJ.
- When was Crathes Castle built?
- Built or established in 1553.
- Who runs Crathes Castle?
- Crathes Castle is operated by National Trust for Scotland.
- Is Crathes Castle a listed building?
- Crathes Castle is officially recognised as category A listed building listed.
- Does Crathes Castle charge admission?
- Crathes Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Crathes Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Milton of Crathes, about 0.8 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode AB31 5QJ.