Kildrummy Castle
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Photo: Gordon Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014, CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- Historic Scotland Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Insch, 12.9 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- 13th-century shield-shaped castle; seasonal opening
Pinpoint
Kildrummy, Alford AB33 8RA
Telephone 01975 571331
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1 April - 30 September | Monday : Closed Tuesday : Closed Wednesday : 10am to 4.30pm Thursday : 10am to 4.30pm Friday : 10am to 4.30pm Sunday : 10am to 4.30pm |
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
- Closed
- 1 October to 31 March
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
One of the earliest and best-preserved shield-shaped castles in Scotland, its 13th-century curtain wall and towers standing on a quiet Aberdeenshire hillside. Historic Environment Scotland keeps it open seasonally, with a shop, toilets, and a gravel path that reviewers describe as wheelchair-friendly for much of the route.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The shield-shaped ground plan itself - one of Scotland's earliest examples of the design, still legible in the surviving walls.
Before you go
Set your sat nav to the car park rather than the castle itself - reviewers warn Google Maps sends you to the wrong entrance if you tap the pin - and pack a picnic, since there are benches near the back of the site.
What visitors say
Kildrummy Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 275 Google reviews
Visitors consistently describe Kildrummy Castle as a well-maintained ruin in a peaceful, scenic setting, often mentioning having the site nearly to themselves along with helpful information boards.
A couple of practical tips recur: Google Maps can direct you to the wrong entrance (the car park location differs), and while the path to the shop is wheelchair-friendly, the castle ruins themselves are not.
“I was the only one present, a great ruined castle in a beautiful and peaceful setting.”- Tony Bradbury, visitor review
History
Gilbert de Moravia · mid-13th century
Built in the mid-13th century by Gilbert de Moravia, this shield-shaped fortress became the seat of the Earls of Mar and one of Scotland's most extensive medieval castles. It withstood multiple sieges during the Wars of Independence and was taken by James I in 1435. The castle was abandoned in 1716 after the failed Jacobite rising, though its ruins remain architecturally impressive.
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.
- Parking
- “I've added the car park location.” - Vicky Dunbar
- Facilities
- “The info boards are great here and there are a couple of picnic benches around the back of the castle if you need a rest.” - Vicky Dunbar
Common questions about Kildrummy Castle
Where is Kildrummy Castle?
Kildrummy Castle is in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at Kildrummy, Alford AB33 8RA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Kildrummy Castle?
Yes - Kildrummy Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Historic Environment Scotland. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Kildrummy Castle?
The shield-shaped ground plan itself - one of Scotland's earliest examples of the design, still legible in the surviving walls.
Is Kildrummy Castle a ruin or still intact?
Kildrummy Castle is a ruin - 13th-century shield-shaped castle; seasonal opening.
