Brodie Castle & Estate accessibility guide

Getting here

Brodie Castle
Brodie
Forres
Moray
IV36 2TE

Brodie Castle is 3 miles east of Forres; 6 miles west of Nairn; and 20 miles west of Inverness.

The main driveway onto the estate is smooth tarmac with 3 speed bumps close to the main car park.

The driveway and path from the car park to the castle is a dirt path leading to a gravel forecourt which surrounds the castle.

The number 10 Stagecoach bus stops in Brodie village by the B&B. From the bus stop, it is approximately half a mile’s walk, either along the exit drive or the signposted footpath along an uneven grass path. If using the exit drive, please be aware of oncoming vehicles.

Accessible Blue Badge parking

Castle

There is a dedicated Blue Badge car park approximately 70 metres from the front door of the castle. This can be found by driving though the main car park and turning right onto the drive, then following it round to the left of the castle to the marked parking bays outside the Laird’s Apartment.

Playful Garden

The closest Blue Badge parking for the Playful Garden and Welcome Centre is in the main car park, which has 5 dedicated bays. It is approximately 100 metres from the main car park to the front door of the Playful Garden Welcome Centre.

Alternatively, there is a car dropping-off point just at the entrance to the Welcome Centre. Follow the signposted delivery drive and take the first left turn. Please note cars cannot be parked in this location.

Pond Walk

There are two parking bays by the pond that can be used for access to the Pond Walk.

Busy periods

If the Blue Bays are occupied, we will always try to find somewhere suitable for you to park. Unfortunately, we are not able to reserve parking spaces in advance. If you require assistance from a member of staff to find a suitable parking space, please call 01309 641700.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the estate and inside the castle.

On the wider estate, all dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads and under close control. Areas of the estate have grazing sheep and horses as well as nesting birds.

A water bowl for dogs can be found to the rear of the castle, outside the café.

Mobile signal

There is generally good mobile reception at our main car park and on the wider estate. In an emergency between 9am–5pm, please ring Brodie Castle on 01309 641700. If you receive no answer, or if the emergency occurs outside of these hours, please call 999.

Signal is extremely limited inside the castle and Welcome Centre.

Public Wi-Fi is available in the Welcome Centre.

There are staff and volunteers positioned at key points in both buildings who have the use of radios, which can be used to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency.

Facilities

Toilets

Our accessible toilets are located in the car park toilet block and Playful Garden; each has 1 accessible toilet.

Car park accessible toilet

• Door width is 78cm.
• The door is not automatic and opens outwards.
• Room size: 164cm width, 180cm length

Playful Garden accessible toilet

• Door width is 90cm.
• The door is not automatic and opens outwards.
• Room size: 204cm width, 298cm length

Shops

Staff are available to assist with any objects that are too high or heavy to reach, and can also provide price information for items.

Castle

The shop is inside the castle, approximately 100 metres from the disabled car parking bays and 220 metres from the main car park.

The driveway from the car park is uneven, and the castle is surrounded by a gravel forecourt.

• Entry is through the front door of the castle and then 20 metres down a hallway.
• The front door is 120cm wide.
• There is one step to the shop door that can be accessed by a ramp.
• The shop can also be accessed from the Castle Café, which is 91 metres along a corridor with a 3-step staircase halfway.
• The shop door width is 112cm.
• The counter height is 89cm.
• The till point does not have an induction loop.
• There is a circulation space of over 2.5 metres.

Playful Garden

The retail area in the Playful Garden is within the admissions area of the Welcome Centre, 150 metres from the main car park.

• The door width is 104cm.
• The counter is of mixed heights: 75cm and 84cm.
• The till point does not have an induction loop.
• There is a circulation space of over 2.5 metres.

Catering

In both cafés, staff are available to assist with any price enquiries and the carrying of items.

Castle Café

The Castle Café is accessed from the rear of the castle, opposite the adventure playground.

It is 50 metres from the disabled parking bays and approx. 320 metres from the main car park.

The driveway from the car park is uneven, and the castle is surrounded by a gravel forecourt.

• The main entrance to the café is all on ground level.
• The door width is 98cm.
• The counter height is 90cm.
• The till point does not have an induction loop.
• There is circulation space of at least 1 metre.

Playful Garden café

The Playful Garden café is accessed via the Welcome Centre and is 150 metres from the car park.

• The main entrance to the café is all on ground level.
• The door width is 104cm.
• The counter height is 83cm.
• The till point does not have an induction loop.
• There is circulation space of at least 1 metre.

Getting around the castle and Playful Garden

• The ticket desk is accessed from the Welcome Centre in the Playful Garden.
• The Welcome Centre is 150 metres from the main car park.
• The castle is 220 metres from the main car park – 200 metres of uneven path and 20 metres of gravel.
• The castle is 240 metres from the Welcome Centre.
• There is no wheelchair access beyond the ground floor of the castle (that includes the café and shop) due to staircases.
• Rooms in Brodie Castle are split across 4 floors with staircases.
• Some staircases are made of are uneven stone at higher levels.
• The first-floor staircase is level and carpeted.

Getting around the Playful Garden

• The ticket desk is accessed from the Welcome Centre.
• The Welcome Centre is 150 metres from the main car park.

Getting around the estate

Brodie Castle is surrounded by 75 acres of mixed estate.

• The main driveway can be used to access the Shrubbery Garden, adventure playground and castle.
• The path to the adventure playground has a width of 2.5 metres and is gravelled in some areas.
• The Shrubbery Garden does not have established paths but it is accessible for wheelchairs. Please be aware of tree roots and the possibility of muddy sections in wet weather.
• The paths around the pond are wide and through woodland. Please be aware of tree roots and muddy sections.
• There is ramped access to the bird hides.
• Route information on the estate paths can be found in the map leaflets available on site.

Guide last updated: February 2022