- Hasse Simonsen
- April 6, 2025
- 11:26 am
Castles in the Cairngorms
There are many castles in the Cairngorms. These majestic edifices tell the story of Scotland’s turbulent past. Situated in stunning grounds, many of the castles open their tours to visitors and provide guided tours. If you are planning a trip to this beautiful Scottish region, discovering its past is a must. Here are just some of the historical castles located in Cairngorms National Park worth visiting.
By Ceranna Photography
Table of Contents
Blair Castle
Blair Castle was built in 1269 but over the ages, it has seen many transformations. From mediaeval beginnings to being a Georgian mansion, to then becoming a Victorian castle in the Cairngorms. The changes are clearly visible when you tour its thirty rooms.
The castle’s history sees Mary Queen of Scots visiting the site, and Bonnie Prince Charlie staying at the castle. It’s been home to soldiers, politicians, entrepreneurs and agriculturalists and has been home to the Atholl family for more than seven centuries.
The Hercules Gardens features a huge 9-acre walled garden that’s restored to its original Georgian design. There’s a full-size statue of Hercules, landscaped ponds, a Chinese inspired bridge and a large orchard with over 100 fruit trees. There’s also a wooded grove, a kirk ruin, a gothic folly and a large deer park.
Blair Castle welcomes walkers onto the estate and there are lots of marked trails to explore. It’s worth looking at the Scottish Outdoor Access Code which provides great guidance to hikers and people.
From 1st August to 20th October, the estate asks hillwalkers to stay on the main trails because it’s the stag stalking season.
If cycling is more your thing, there are some great trail choices around the estate. There are shorter circuits through forests and woodland and more challenging routes to Glen Tilt or Glen Banvie. Both provide stunning vistas and great places to picnic! You can even hire a bike from Blair Atholl Bike Hire.
There are lots of events organised at the castle, from international equestrian events to bird watching for beginners! You can even stay at Blair Castle and the accommodation on offer includes lodges, cottages, huts and cabins. All of which are found in lovely settings. Blair Castle is one of the most visited castles in the Cairngorms
There are three parking areas at Blair Castle. These are Glen Tilt, Cally and Logierait car parks
However, overnight parking is not allowed on any of them
But you can park up at their Caravan Park if you have a motorhome or campervan
- There’s an award-winning restaurant at the castle located in the Banvie Hall
- Tullibardine Restaurant serves locally sourced Scottish produce and lots of home-made goodies
- There also lots of other facilities onsite
The best time to visit Blair Castle is from April when the spring flowers are in bloom and during the summer months when the garden’s herbaceous borders are in full flower! This is another of the most visited castles in the Cairngorms!
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle is set in the majestic landscapes of Royal Deeside. It is the Royal family’s Scottish holiday retreat and is the private residence of her Majesty the Queen. The castle and grounds are open every day from April 1st to August 2nd.
There is lots to see and do around the estate throughout the season from drinking afternoon tea in a splendid setting, to salmon fishing on the River Dee. There is also an organised expedition around the estate and a ranger who takes visitors around the estate.
If you are planning a longer trip to the Highlands, accommodation is available on the estate in one of the holiday cottages. All the cottages are set in stunning locations.
There’s a paying car park close to Balmoral Castle.
There’s a gift shop next to the car park.
- You’ll find all you need in the way of facilities at Balmoral Castle
- There’s a café, a gift shop where you’ll find lots of visitor information
- Toilets, a baby changing room
- Post Office on site
The best time to visit Balmoral Castle is during the spring and summer months. However, the castle closes when the royal family is in residence so it’s always worth checking before you go. Balmoral Castle is among the most visited castles in the Cairngorms with flocks of people touring the grounds during the high season!
Corgarff Castle
Corgarff Castle dates back to the 16th Century. Throughout history, the castle was of strategic importance. It was burnt down 3 times and was used by the Jacobites as an arms store.
Corgarff Castle still stands in all its 18th century glory as a star-shaped fortification. There’s a bakehouse and a brewhouse. For the moment the Castle remains closed, but you can still visit the castle grounds. The views and scenery are magnificent from this tower house. Interestingly, the last time the castle was used by the military was between 1827 and 1831 to control whisky smugglers!
- There is a level car park at Corgarff Castle
It’s a stargazer’s delight at night thanks to the fact there’s no light pollution! - The car park is a short distance away from the castle
- It’s a stargazer’s delight at night thanks to the fact there’s no light pollution!
- There is a gift shop at Corgarff Castle
- The nearest cafés and facilities are found in the lovely town of Ballater where you’ll also find shops & restaurants
The best time to visit Corgarff Castle and the grounds is during the spring and summer months. It’s one of the castles in the Cairngorms that tells the story of Scotland’s tumultuous past!
Drumin Castle
Drumin Castle was built in the 14th century and stands on a rocky bluff that overlooks the River Livet and the River Avon. It’s a tower house that commanded a strategic position close to the village of Glenlivet. There are just two walls remaining today of a castle built for Alexander Stewart, the son of King Robert II.
It’s easy and safe to explore the castle ruins via a track that goes around it. The views from the castle are wonderful and if the raspberries are ripe, there are great pickings too! You walk from the car park up to the castle and there’s a choice of routes to take, one is steep but the other one is a gentler wind up to the top of the hill.
- There’s a small car park located at the bottom of the hill
- It’s just a short walk up to the Castle
- There are no facilities at Drumin Castle
- The closest facilities are found in the neighbouring villages
The best time to visit Drumin Castle is during the spring and summer months when the weather in the Highlands tends to be less breezy! Drumin castle in the Cairngorms provides an insight into Scotland’s past! There are fewer visitors during the spring when and we have a great choice of self catering accommodation too.
Loch an Eilein Castle, Rothiemurchus
Loch an Eilein Castle sits in one of the most picturesque regions of the Highlands. The ruins of this 13th century castle was once home to the Wolf of Badenoch, Alexander Stewart, the youngest son of King Robert.
Built on an island on a loch it’s a lovely place to visit. The loch waters are superb and the surrounding ancient pines and mountain views are stunning. There was once a causeway from the loch shore to the castle which is now underwater.
If you enjoy nature and exploring all castle ruins from afar, this is a must-go-to castle when you visit the Highlands!
- You’ll find a car park at the loch
- It’s within easy walking distance from the loch
- There’s onsite parking at Loch Eilein
- There’s also a little shop and toilets
The best time to visit Loch an Eilein Castle is during the spring and summer months. Loch an Eilein castle in the Cairngorms is a popular destination for visitors during the high season!
Glenbuchat Castle
Overlooking the River Don on the eastern edge of Cairngorms National Park, sits Glenbuchat Castle. It’s a tower house that was built in 1590 to mark the marriage of John Gordon to Helen Carnegie, his second wife. Later the castle was home to the Gordons of Knockespock, another branch of the Gordon family.
Today, the castle is undergoing restoration due to unsafe masonry, but you can still explore the exterior of the castle.
- There’s a car park at the head of a track that takes you through a gate and across the field to the castle
- The car park is a short distance away from the castle
- There are no facilities at the castle
- The closest facilities can be found at The Steading Bar
The best time to visit Glenbuchat Castle is in the spring when there are fewer people around. It’s also when you’ll find a great choice of self catering accommodation. The summer is also a great time to visit the Highlands!
Castle Roy
This 12th century fortress was the stronghold of the Clan Comyn who built in on a glacial mound north of Nethy Bridge. It was used as a resting place and staging post by hunters on their forays in Abernethy Forest. Castle Roy is one of the oldest fortresses in the Cairngorms.
- There is space for three motorhomes to park overnight close to Castle Roy
- The fortress is just a short walk from the parking area
- There are no facilities at the castle
- You’ll find facilities about a mile away in the village
The best time to visit Castle Roy is in the Springtime and during the summer months.
Historical Castles Are Worth Visiting in Cairngorms National Park
Visiting the Highlands in the springtime and summer makes for superb holiday memories. The Cairngorm National Park explodes into colour following the winter months. It’s a time when everything comes alive. It’s time to visit this glorious part of Scotland to discover everything it has to offer.
From tower houses and castle ruins, there’s always something to discover and explore in the Highlands. The majestic castles in the Cairngorms provide you with an insight of Scotland’s unique historical past!
