County guide · The Castle Rolls
Best castles in Aberdeenshire
17 castles survive in Aberdeenshire - more than any other Scottish county - including Balmoral, the King's own Highland estate.
Map
Every castle on this list - 17 in total, 5 you can stay overnight in
Dunnottar Castle
Aberdeenshire
Ticketed clifftop ruin; open year-round, weather permitting
Balmoral Castle
Aberdeenshire
Seasonal Apr-Aug plus winter tours; interior access limited
Crathes Castle
Aberdeenshire
16th-century tower house with painted ceilings and gardens
Castle Fraser
Aberdeenshire
One of Scotland's largest tower houses; East Wing apartment bookable
Fyvie Castle
Aberdeenshire
Preston Tower Apartment sleeps 12 within the castle
Drum Castle
Aberdeenshire
Medieval tower plus mansion; holiday cottage in courtyard, not castle
Craigievar Castle
Aberdeenshire
Pink tower house; interior visits by guided tour
Braemar Castle
Aberdeenshire
Community-run; reopened after conservation; seasonal from April
Huntly Castle
Aberdeenshire
Gordon palace-castle; currently no visitor toilets
Kildrummy Castle
Aberdeenshire
13th-century shield-shaped castle; seasonal opening
Corgarff Castle
Aberdeenshire
Tower within star-shaped wall; seasonal opening
Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse
Aberdeenshire
Guided tours via Museum of Scottish Lighthouses; Wine Tower closed
Craigston Castle
Aberdeenshire
Tours May and September; grounds anytime; exclusive-use stays
Glenbuchat Castle
Aberdeenshire
Currently closed for conservation; exterior views only
Leslie Castle
Aberdeenshire
17th-century Z-plan tower house built for William Forbes of Monymusk, restored by the Leslie family from 1979.
Delgatie Castle
Aberdeenshire
Open daily Jan-Dec; holiday suites inside castle
Tolquhon Castle
Aberdeenshire
Ornate 1580s courtyard mansion-castle; seasonal opening