Braemar Castle

Braemar Castle, located in the heart of the Cairngorm Mountains, has a fascinating history and a remarkable reconstruction. The castle was originally built in the 17th century as the residence of the Farquharson family, who were powerful clan chiefs in the area. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times and was even used by the army during the 19th century. It was later abandoned and fell into disrepair, but after significant restoration efforts, it was reopened to the public. Today, visitors can explore its beautifully restored rooms, learn about the historical events that took place here, and admire the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The castle is also known for its role in Scottish clan history and its connection to the royal family, as it was once used as a hunting lodge by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. I was truly impressed by the way the castle was reconstructed and the variety of exhibits on display, reflecting both local history and the aristocratic life of the past. The volunteers who were there were very kind and provided interesting information about every corner of the castle. Additionally, visiting the castle is free, which makes it even more accessible to those wishing to learn more about this historic place.

Always good to see and read about Scotland's castles. Plenty of info around the ground and we got some lovely weather.

Absolutely charming place! And Doreen made it the highlight of our Scotland trip with her 1h guided tour through this magic place. The castle is fully furnished and you expect the Laird to step into the dining room any minute. The castle is run by the villagers of Braemar, everyone is a volunteer to keep this place running. Best 12 pounds we spent on our trip to the Highlands! Thank you 🙏

A lovely castle you can enjoy at your own pace while listening to the audio guide. The rooms have interesting stories behind them and the views are amazing. All the staff were very enthusiastic about the castle.

I would suggest adapting the opening hours to reflect your actual closing time which is 16.30 since no visitors are allowed after that. That would save some parking money for people arriving between 16.30 and 17.00. It is a lovely place, at least outside.

Beautiful castle and grounds. Sadly it was closed but it was still lovely to walk around and sit in the little hut.

Braemar Castle is a great place to visit if you’re in Braemar. Inside, there are old rooms filled with furniture and items from the past. The displays tell stories about battles, clans, and royal visitors. There is an app you can download which tells you about each room. The castle is being restored by the local community, which makes the visit feel extra special. You can tell they care a lot about keeping the history alive. The grounds are lovely too, we had a picnic while enjoying the views. It’s a fun and educational stop for families, history lovers, or anyone exploring the area.

Very interesting visit with welcoming volunteers sharing their knowledge of the castle. Well worth a visit. Felt much more of a family home than the larger, more commercial castles, Braemar is a much more human scale castle.

We had a wonderful visit to Braemar Castle in Braemar Scotland. The staff at the castle were wonderful! Kind, informative and very professional. It was such a nice visit to such a beautiful place! Thank you for making our visit memorable :)