Crathes Castle Tours and Activities

Set among the wooded countryside of Aberdeenshire, the 16th-century Crathes Castle is known for its ties to Robert the Bruce. The tower house’s interior features original painted ceilings, portraits, and antique furniture, while the 593-acre (240-hectare) estate encompasses walled gardens and parkland threaded by marked trails.
The Basics
You can prepurchase an admission ticket and take a self-guided tour through the castle, admiring the Jacobean painted ceilings and the antiques, and watching for the so-called Green Lady—a ghost who is rumored to haunt the house. Admission to the castle also includes access to the gardens and grounds, where you can see sculpted topiary or spot wildlife on lovely nature trails. Alternatively, upgrade and purchase a Discover Ticket, a sightseeing pass that grants holders free entry to more than 90 National Trust for Scotland attractions. A Go Ape high ropes adventure course is also situated on the castle grounds, but requires a separate admission ticket.
Things to Know Before you Go
- Crathes Castle is a must for families, art lovers, and nature enthusiasts.
- The ground floor of the castle and most of the walled gardens are accessible to wheelchair users, though the castle’s upper levels and the waymarked trails are not.
- Drinks, lunches, and snacks are available in the courtyard café.
How to Get There
Crathes Castle is a 30-minute drive from Aberdeen via the B9077. Turn onto the A93 after Durris and look for signposts. Alternatively, ride the Stagecoach bus routes 201 or 202 from Aberdeen. Buses stop at the entrance, which is a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) walk from the ticket office.
When to Get There
Crathes Castle is open on weekends only in January, February, March, November, and December; and daily April through October. Go in summer when warmer, drier weather makes exploring the grounds more pleasant.
The Horn of Leys
Among the many historic items on display at Crathes Castle, the Horn of Leys is perhaps the most legendary. It is thought that this 14th-century horn was a gift from King Robert the Bruce, who gave the land of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323 as recognition of their support for him. The horn is on display in the castle’s great hall.
Address: Crathes, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom AB31 5QJ, Scotland
Admission: Varies
5 Tours and Activities to Experience Crathes Castle
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Aberdeenshire Private Half Day Historic Building & Castle Tour
5
This is a private tour for your group only. Scotland has many treasures to offer and a lot of them are in Aberdeenshire. We will take you on a private tour to areas that are as stunning as they are interesting. You will learn about the attractions and their history and have a great day out, whether that be to ancient castles, a distillery or to see Highland Cows.
Tours can include – Iconic Castle(s), Distilleries, Historical Areas, Stunning Scenery (examples listed from which we choose a route), Optional Lunch.
Pick up and drop off is from your Hotel, Train Station, Airport or Cruise Ship.
Minimum passengers: one. Maximum passengers: four.
Tours available seven days a week, subject to availability.
Time Exposure Travel are members of ABTOT (No.5419) which provides protection for customers’ prepayments.
…More
From
$211.03
Price varies by group size
From
$211.03
Price varies by group size

Aberdeenshire Castles Cows and Whisky Private Day Trip
An amazing private tour that provides a true taste of Scotland, all in one day.
Historic Castles, Highland Cows and Whisky!
Feel the history, taste the beef and drink a dram!
Take home amazing memories.
Crathes is a 16th-century world famous Castle featuring turrets, gargoyles, painted ceilings and ancient, great yew hedges in the amazing gardens.
Aberdeenshire Highland Beef offer the chance for you to visit a working farm, meet our native breed of cattle, have the chance to photograph them, learn about their history and sample some of our succulent Premium Aberdeenshire Highland Beef!
Enjoy an amazing tour round the Royal Lochnagar distillery which produces a world class single malt Scotch whisky. The Distillery is based in the grounds of the Queens Balamoral Castle, in the Highland whisky-producing area of Scotland. It close to the famous mountain of Lochnagar.
Time Exposure Travel are members of ABTOT (No.5419) which provides protection for customers’ prepayments.
…More
From
$443.15
Price varies by group size
From
$443.15
Price varies by group size
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Transfer from/to Airport/Train Station/Harbour and Private Guided Tour of area
Too early to check in to your hotel or for your flight? We have the perfect solution, a private guided tour of the area. Aberdeenshire has many treasures to offer – amazing castles, historical buildings, distilleries, beautiful scenery and spectacular wildlife. We will take you to areas that are as stunning as they are interesting. and you will learn about the attractions and their history.
Tours can include – Iconic Castle(s), Distilleries, Historical Areas, Stunning Scenery (examples listed from which we choose a route), Optional Lunch.
Pick up from Airport, Train Station, Cruise Ship and drop off is at your Hotel or Cruise Ship.
Minimum passengers: one. Maximum passengers: four.
Tours available seven days a week, subject to availability.
Time Exposure Travel are members of ABTOT (No.5419) which provides protection for customers’ prepayments.
…More
From
$278.55
per group
From
$278.55
per group

Aberdeen & Shire Castle & Distillery Private Group one Day Tour
2
This is a private tour for your group only. Aberdeenshire has many treasures to offer and we will take you on a private tour to areas that are as stunning as they are interesting, chosen from the tour details section below.
A suggested itinerary could be:
• Old Aberdeen - See fascinating medieval history
• Dunnottar Castle - one of the worlds most iconic castles,
• Crathes Castle - a 16th century castle on Deeside with amazing gardens
• Royal Lochnagar Distillery - the famous malt from the grounds of Balmoral Castle
You can choose your own itinerary.
Time Exposure Travel are members of ABTOT (No.5419) which provides protection for customers’ prepayments.
Pick up and drop off is from your Hotel, Airport, Train Station or Cruise Ship
…More
From
$350.30
Price varies by group size
From
$350.30
Price varies by group size
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside Private Half-day Castle Tour
Time Exposure Travel will take you on a day trip to areas that are as stunning as there are interesting - examples are listed from which we choose a route.
We can provide the itinerary or you can create your own.
Pick up and drop off is from your Hotel, Train Station, Airport or Cruise Ship.
Time Exposure Travel are members of ABTOT (No.5419) which provides protection for customers’ prepayments.
…More
From
$211.03
Price varies by group size
From
$211.03
Price varies by group size
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More