If you just adore fairytale-style castles then you should love Craigievar Castle.  With an exterior more commonly associated with Bavaria in Germany rather than Scotland, Craigievar with its pretty pink-coloured walls, seven stories and dreamy turrets has more than a touch of magic about it.

Beautifully preserved, visit Craigievar Castle and you're in for a real treat.  Just 11 miles from the Cairngorms National Park, this impressive historic castle is set amongst extensive beautiful parklands in the Aberdeenshire countryside, close to the Grampian Mountains and Alford.  

Although it dates back to 1626, Craigievar Castle has been beautifully preserved both inside and out, and for this reason alone is well worth a visit.  
 

What Makes Craigievar Castle Special

Aside from the fairytale style exterior and the stunning country location, Craigievar Castle is a special place to visit because the castle is remarkably unchanged and very well preserved.  Craigievar Castle is also renowned for its beautiful elaborate ceilings, which are said to be amongst the best in Scotland.  Also well worth seeing are the family portraits of the Forbes family, who owned the castle for 350 years until the 1960s and the impressive Great Hall with its impressive embellished ceiling and secret staircase.

Craigievar Castle's History

Craigievar Castle as we see it today, was built in a Scottish Baronial style in 1626 for William Forbes (who had made his money through an import business).  Prior to this there was a more modest tower house on the site.  The initials of William Forbes and his wife, Margaret Woodward can be seen in various places within the castle.  

For around 350 years Craigievar Castle was owned by and lived in by various generations of the Forbes family.  The furniture, paintings, ornaments and original features of Craigievar have been preserved and cared for by the Forbes family over the centuries.

Queen Victoria is said to have visited the castle unannounced in 1879 when she made a surprise visit.  In the late 1860s, the Forbes family were using Craigievar Castle as a holiday house and also a tourist attraction.  
Craigievar Castle passed in to the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland in the 1960s.

Craigievar Castle's Claim to Fame

It is rumoured that this castle inspired Walt Disney's castle logo.  How similar do you think that they look?  Personally although we can see some similarities we think that Disney's Castle logo has a uniqueness and magic all of its own.

Spooky Happenings at Craigievar Castle

For those who like to visit haunted houses, Craigievar Castle won't disappoint!  The ghost is said to be of a young man who was killed by Sir John, grandson of William Forbes.  The story goes that 'Red Sir John' was a violent and difficult person in his day, and his daughter was said to be having a love affair with a young man from the Gordon family (arch-enemies of the Forbes family) and when Sir John found this Gordon man in his castle he threatened him with a sword and forced him to jump from a window, and the young man then died.   Visit to see if you feel any vibes about any unsettled scores and unhappy souls or spirits still wandering around.   

When Can you Visit Craigievar Castle?

The grounds of Craigievar Castle are open all year round.  Entry to the castle is by guided tour and these are possible within set times between the 25th of March to the end of September.

Cared for and protected by the National Trust for Scotland, see their website or call them for more information on opening times and visiting.  if you're a member of the National Trust you can even visit for free!
 

Craigievar Castle Address:

Craigievar Castle
Craigievar,
Alford
Aberdeenshire
AB33 8JF