Crathes Castle | Banchory | Aberdeen | Scotland

Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Crathes Castle is every inch the classic Scottish tower house, and a fantastic day out for all the family! Discover a labyrinth of cultural history, from portraits and antique furniture to painted ceilings. Explore the famous garden and enjoy a walk through the wider estate.
Standing against a backdrop of rolling hills and set within its own glorious gardens, Crathes Castle provides a memorable experience with its towers, turrets and stories of its resident ghosts. King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323: the ancient Horn of Leys, which can be seen today in the Great Hall, marks his gift.

Inside you’ll find a labyrinth of cultural history, from family portraits to fine antique furniture. The walled garden is a wonderful jungle of history, split into eight sections that encompass every green delight imaginable a sculpted topiary, soft herbaceous colours and modern exotic blooms. The massive yew hedges are thought to have been planted as early as 1702.

Crathes Castle Estate was once part of the Royal Forest of Drum. Today there are a range of waymarked and clearly signposted trails. Look out for wildlife along the way – you may see red squirrels, woodpeckers and herons.

Our Wild Wood Adventure Play has plenty for our younger explorers to discover and let their imagination run wild! Inspired by the stories and setting of Crathes Castle, it’s surrounded by towering trees on this wildlife-rich estate. They’ll enjoy conquering the heights of the Green Lady’s Tower, scrambling up the rock face challenge and zooming between the trees on the zip wire. There are also slides, sandpits, high-level walkways and a see-through walkway to keep them entertained.
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