The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Great castles to visit this weekend
FOR many of us, the biggest impact of last week’s lockdown relaxation has been the reopening of the hospitality sector, allowing us to properly catch up with friends and family once more.
But while it’s great to be able to enjoy a cold pint in a (cold) beer garden, there are other significant aspects of Scottish culture that are also now accessible to us after many months of being shut down.
Magnificent castles across the country have been able to open their doors again, with dozens of the country’s most significant historical sites welcoming visitors back.
Here’s our pick of the best castles which have now reopened.
CRATHES CASTLE, BANCHORY, ABERDEEN Open Thursday-Monday, 10am-4pm Adult £14.50, Family £33, Concession
If you are one of the thousands of Scots that invested in a dog during lockdown, you might now be looking for somewhere a little more exciting to walk your four-legged friend. With travel restrictions lifted across the country, why not bring your pooch for an adventure to Crathes Castle, in Banchory?
With a historic walled garden, as well as six waymarked nature trails and expansive woodland, there’s plenty to be explored. Keep an eye out for roe deer, red squirrels, woodpeckers, buzzards and herons – as well as lots of other dogs to say hello to – as you traverse the paths around the castle. You can also treat yourself to something sweet at the cafe, where dogs are very welcome and staff even keep some free treats behind the counter.
Of course, there’s plenty to see for those visiting without canine companions: mainly the grand halls of the castle itself. The land on which the castle sits was given as a gift to the Burnetts of Ley family by King Robert the Bruce, with construction of the current tower house beginning in 1553.
The imposing assortment of turrets and towers was built by Alexander Burnett and many of his original oak panels and painted ceilings are still intact. Inside you’ll also find everything from family portraits to fine antique furniture, as well as the Horn of Leys, a jewel-encrusted ivory horn that is said to be almost 700 years old. And if all that wasn’t enough? Crathes
Castle is also said to have its own ghost, the Green Lady, who has been spotted several times over the years. www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/crathes-castle
BLAIR CASTLE, BLAIR ATHOLL, PERTHSHIRE Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10am– 5.30pm (last admission is 4.30pm)
Adult £15, child £9, concession £12.75
If you are lucky enough to visit while the sun is shining, the white turrets of Blair Castle can be one of the most spectacular sights in Perthshire. Even if it isn’t good weather, this imposing structure is still well worth a visit, boasting 30 rooms full of period furnishings, family portraits and artwork. Of particular note is the Victorian ballroom – decorated with 175 pairs of antlers – which was used during the visit of Queen Victoria in 1844 (an episode of ITV drama Victoria documented this visit).
Most notable of all, though, is that the castle is home to the Atholl Highlanders, the only remaining private army in Europe. They might not have a military role, but the regiment takes their duties very seriously and each member is only invited to join by the Duke of Atholl himself, to whom they serve as a private bodyguard. You can find out all this, and more, via a Segway tour from the guides of Segway Ecosse, who will allow you to whizz around the grounds of the castle and wider estate while they point out little-known historical facts. Learning while thrillseeking – what’s not to like?
www.blair-castle.co.uk
URQUHART CASTLE, DRUMNADROCHIT, INVERNESS Open every day 9.30am-5pm
Adults £9.60, Child £5.40, Concession £7.70
Despite being in a state of ruin for the last 300 years, Urquhart Castle is one of the most beautiful, and most photographed, castles in Scotland.
It is wonderfully positioned right on the banks of Loch Ness and has long been a popular tourist attraction with visitors to the area. And, in our Covidruled current reality, the benefit of visiting a ruined castle is that there is plenty of fresh air and natural social distancing, with no need for maskwearing other than in the visitor centre and cafe.
There’s plenty to see while you are there, with more than 1,000 years of history set out to visitors through strategically-placed information placards.
The castle has certainly packed a lot in: playing a key role during the Wars of Independence and being the site where St Columba was said to have worked miracles in the 6th century.
It was the only Highland castle to hold out against the English in the dark days following the death of Robert the Bruce, but in 1692 its huge gatehouse was deliberately blown up to prevent Jacobite forces (loyal to the exiled Catholic King James) from using it as a military stronghold.
www.urquhart-castle.co.uk
KELBURN CASTLE, FAIRLIE, LARGS, AYRSHIRE
Open every day, 10am-5pm
Entry to the grounds is free but there is a parking charge of £5 per vehicle.
One of the most memorable castles in the country, thanks to the vibrant murals adorning its walls, Kelburn Castle certainly stands out from the crowd. The original building was constructed as far back as 1143, with its Victorian Wing being added in
1879, but it was in 2007 that the castle got the makeover which made it famous.
A group of renowned Brazilian graffiti artists came to live at Kelburn for a month, during which time they worked together to transform the castle’s conservative exterior into a brightly coloured cultural tapestry. If you decide to visit, give yourself plenty of time to spot all the different artworks within the murals, before going on to see the rest of the sights at Kelburn. There’s an adventure play area, landscaped gardens, peaceful glen and a cafe, but our favourite is the Secret Forest: a series of hidden structures located within thick woodland that children will relish the chance to explore. There’s no map or set trail to follow, which only adds to the sense of excitement for kids who stumble upon the attractions in the forest.
From the maze and fairy village, to the giant’s castle and the gingerbread house, their imagination will run wild as they make their way through the forest, crossing the ‘crocodile swamp’ and through the grotto on the way. The highlight of the Secret Forest (which has an additional charge of £3 per person) is the 35ft high pagoda, which can be climbed via steps to offer a wonderful view over the forest and landscape beyond. www.kelburnestate.com
ST ANDREWS CASTLE, ST ANDREWS, FIFE Open every day 10am-4pm
Adult £7.20, Child aged 5–15 £4.30, Concession £5.70, Under 5s free (advanced booking online is required)
With St Andrews boasting famous golf courses and beaches, its castle may be bypassed by visitors to the town. But do so and you’ll miss out on a really excellent attraction, with an interactive trail that leads you through the visitor centre and then outside to the ruins of the castle. You can enjoy great views of the wild North Sea from the castle towers, with reassurance that visitor numbers are being capped due to
Covid to ensure that social distancing can be maintained.
The castle itself is a ruin (most of it plunged into the sea in 1801), but the interactive visitor centre gives a good impression of the grandeur that it once held, as the official residence of Scotland’s leading bishop throughout the Middle Ages. www.historicenvironment.scot
MUGDOCK CASTLE, MILNGAVIE, EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE
Open daily. Free entry
Mugdock Castle might not be the most visually impressive castle on our list, but unlike the others it has the benefit of being entirely free to visit. It is actually situated within the expanse of Mugdock Country Park, making it easy to arrange a picturesque springtime walk either before or after your trip to the castle.
Once you reach the castle there are signs to point out the history of the structure, namely the fact that it was the stronghold of the Graham family for centuries until being purchased by Hugh Fraser in 1945. His death, followed by a major fire that destroyed most of the castle’s interior, meant it was mainly knocked down in 1967, but it still provides an undeniably atmospheric ruin to have a wander round. A great day out for those who don’t want to travel too far out of Glasgow. www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk