Craigievar Castle

Craigievar Castle is often described as the most perfect example of Scottish baronial architecture ever built. The pink-harled tower house rises seven storeys without alteration – its fairytale silhouette against the Aberdeenshire sky is said to have inspired Walt Disney's castle designs. Unlike many Scottish castles, Craigievar was completed in a single building campaign and has never been significantly altered.

History

The castle was completed in 1626 for William Forbes, a wealthy Aberdeen merchant known as 'Danzig Willie' for his Baltic trading connections. The Forbes-Sempill family held it for over 350 years before transferring it to the National Trust for Scotland in 1963. The interior retains original Renaissance plasterwork ceilings that rank among the finest in Scotland.

Visiting Craigievar Castle

Managed by the National Trust for Scotland. The castle interior is open seasonally with timed entry – pre-booking strongly recommended as visitor numbers are limited. The grounds and woodland walks are open year-round. Craigievar is about 25 miles west of Aberdeen.

Highlights

• Finest example of Scottish baronial tower-house architecture
• Said to have inspired Disney's castle designs
• Unaltered since 1626 – a single building campaign
• Original Renaissance plasterwork ceilings

Private tours including Craigievar Castle

We can include Craigievar Castle in a private tour with a dedicated driver-guide and luxury Mercedes vehicle. Pick-up from your hotel, airport or cruise port.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Craigievar Castle?

Managed by the National Trust for Scotland. The castle interior is open seasonally with timed entry – pre-booking strongly recommended as visitor numbers are limited. The grounds and woodland walks are open year-round. Craigievar is about 25 miles west of Aberdeen.

When was Craigievar Castle built?

Craigievar Castle dates from 1626. It is classified as a tower house and is located in Alford, Aberdeenshire.

How do I get to Craigievar Castle?

Craigievar Castle is in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeenshire. We offer private tours that include Craigievar Castle with door-to-door transport in a luxury Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide.