Craigievar Castle

Bedecked with intricate turrets and corbelling, the dazzling Craigievar Castle looks like it’s been ripped from a children’s fable and nestled in the folds of the Grampian Mountains.

Said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s fairy-tale palaces, the dreamlike design of Craigievar Castle certainly captures the essence of opulent fantasy. Whether the Disney connection is Apocrypha or otherwise, Craigievar’s rich architectural structure rising from the Grampian Mountains is more than enough to cement its fable-like aura.

It’s hard not to lose your breath when visiting Craigievar. In summer, countless bluebells enclose the castle, filling the grounds all the way to the surrounding woodland trails. The spaces within are equally enchanting. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the National Trust took over Craigievar, meaning the interior design is a bohemian blend of historical artefacts and quirky contemporary furniture. The previous owners – descendants of original visionary William Forbes – stipulated that no artificial lighting should be installed anywhere in the building. Instead, tours are only in summer, when natural sunlight coats the displays in a way familiar to the original family.

Scotland’s very own enchanting pink castle is nestled in amongst the most beautiful Scottish landscape. It is a fine example of the best of Scottish Baronial architecture and it is even said that this castle is the inspiration behind Disney’s Cinderella castle. 

Begun around 1576 and completed by c1626, this iconic tower house is amongst the best preserved and the most loved in Scotland. Craigievar was a family home until the 1960s, creating a quirky blend of modern comforts and rare antiquities within the ancient walls. 

It wouldn’t be a fairytale however, if there wasn’t a few evil twists along the way, the exterior may appear pretty and pink but within these walls lie some treacherous tales.  There is a story of a fiddler who fell into a well in the kitchen and drowned to death. The fiddler haunts the castle, but it’s said that he will only appear before members of the Forbes family. However, the fiddler isn’t alone, there is another spirit that walks the castle, but this time from Clan Gordon. This spirit was once murdered by being pushed from one of the windows in the Blue Room. 

The parkland grounds surrounding the castle are equally bewitching, with an unusual Scottish glen garden, a Victorian kitchen garden and two waymarked woodland trails.

Parking 

Parking is free to Trust members; otherwise it’s £3.

Entry Fee

Adult £13.00, Family £30.00, One Adult Family £25.00, Concession £10.00

Admission Free for Trust members

Tours

Keep up to date with tour times here 

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/craigievar/planning-your-visit

 

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