Craigievar Castle
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Nick Bramhall, CC BY-SA 2.0 · David Young Cameron, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust for Scotland
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Insch, 11.9 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Pink tower house; interior visits by guided tour
Pinpoint
Craigievar, Alford AB33 8JF
Telephone 01339 883635
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
Craigievar is a pink harled tower house often credited, loosely, as an inspiration for Disney's fairytale castles - reviewers say it was bought in the 17th century by a merchant known as "Danzig Willy" on the profits of Baltic trade, and it stayed lived-in until the 1960s. Interior access is by guided tour only, on a first-come, first-served basis.
At a glance
Who to know
Danzig Willy · merchant who bought the castle on Baltic trade profits
Worth the trip
The pink exterior itself and the two spiral staircases inside, one of them a "secret" stair - reviewers say the guided tour brings the family history to life.
Before you go
Tours run first come, first served, so arrive early to guarantee a place, and check the National Trust for Scotland site directly for hours - reviewers warn sat-nav and third-party sites can send you the wrong way. It's only open Easter to October.
What visitors say
Craigievar Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 1,195 Google reviews
Visitors are charmed by Craigievar's distinctive pink stone exterior, often mentioned alongside its rumoured Disney inspiration, and consistently praise the knowledgeable guides on the first-come, first-served guided tour.
A small kiosk for coffee and snacks is a nice extra, though the castle is only open seasonally (Easter to October) and tour spaces can mean a bit of a wait.
“Lovely looking castle. Did not do the tour as we had our dog with us but did do the woodland walk”- Richard Wardrop, visitor review
Getting in - what National Trust for Scotland says
Access to the castle and shop is difficult for people with limited mobility: stone steps lead into the castle and the shop is four steps down from the entrance lobby; upper floors are reached only by steep spiral stone stairs. The grounds around the castle are accessible, but the trails are unsurfaced, very steep in sections and slippery in wet weather. Disabled parking bays are in the main car pa
Taken from National Trust for Scotland’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Walks at Craigievar Castle
Craigievar Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“Did not do the tour as we had our dog with us but did do the woodland walk”- Richard Wardrop, visitor review
Also worth knowing: dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
William Forbes · 1625
William Forbes, nicknamed 'Danzig Willy' for his Baltic trading profits, purchased the partially completed tower house in 1610 and finished it between 1625 and 1626. This seven-storey harled castle exemplifies Scottish Baronial style and remained in the Forbes family for 350 years until they sold it to the National Trust for Scotland in 1963.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Guided tours
- “The tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave a good history of the building and the family.” - Joanne Buxton
Common questions about Craigievar Castle
Where is Craigievar Castle?
Craigievar Castle is in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at Craigievar, Alford AB33 8JF.
Do you need a ticket to visit Craigievar Castle?
Yes - Craigievar Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust for Scotland. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Craigievar Castle?
Yes - Craigievar Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
Are there walks at Craigievar Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “Did not do the tour as we had our dog with us but did do the woodland walk”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Craigievar Castle?
The pink exterior itself and the two spiral staircases inside, one of them a "secret" stair - reviewers say the guided tour brings the family history to life.
