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A view of the top section of Crathes Castle, showing the clock tower against a bright blue sky. The yellow leaves of a large tree frame the shot.
Places
Aberdeen City & Shire

Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate

Getting here

Crathes Castle is 15 miles west of Aberdeen and 3 miles east of Banchory on the A93.
Address Crathes Castle Banchory Aberdeenshire AB31 5QJ

The entrance to the castle and grounds is via the signposted main drive off the A93.

If you travel by bus, it is a 1 mile walk from the driveway entrance to the ticket office, café and gift shop.

Please note that some sat nav systems may direct you via private roads; the co-ordinates for the entrance to the drive are: 57.056667 & -2.426428

What3words (for the car park): cookbooks.packets.smiles

Crathes Castle is part of ScotRail’s 2-for-1 initiative, which allows two adults entry for the price of one, when they present a valid rail ticket and a paper voucher.

Find out more and download your voucher from the ScotRail website

Contact information

Telephone: 01330 844525

Get directions

Provided by Google Maps

Opening times

Castle, shop, Café 1702 and garden

Please note pre-booking is not possible. Entry to castle every 10 minutes. Tickets purchased from shop.

Current period 1 Nov–22 Dec, Thu–Sun, 10.00–16.00 23–27 Dec, closed 28–31 Dec, daily, 10.00–16.00 1 Jan–7 Jan 2025, closed 8 Jan–31 Mar, Thu–Sun, 10.00–16.00 1 Apr–31 Oct, daily, 10.00–17.00 1 Nov–22 Dec, Thu–Sun, 10.00–16.00
Wild Wood Adventure Play

Please note opening is weather dependent.

Current period 30 Oct–31 Mar 2025, closed 1 Apr–25 Oct, daily, 10.00–16.00 26 Oct–31 Dec, closed
Grounds

Some trails are closed due to extensive storm damage.

Current period 1 Jan–31 Dec, daily, dawn–dusk

Entry prices

Crathes Castle
Adult
£16.00
Family
£36.50
One adult family
£31.50
Concession
£12.50
Young Scot
£1.00
Garden token
Adult
£7.00
Wild Wood Adventure Play
Child (under 4s free)
£4.00

Members go free

At all Trust places, admission is free for members.

Join us today

Planning your visit

Please note pre-booking is NOT possible – entry to the castle is on a first-come, first-served basis, with groups staggered at regular intervals.

When planning your visit, make sure to check our website and Facebook pages for updates and the latest information on our vibrant events programme. With a wide variety of family fun days, outdoor cinema and outdoor theatre, as well as workshops, gatherings and sports events, we strive to make sure that Crathes Castle offers something exciting for everyone!

Please note that we do not have EV charging facilities at Crathes.

Drone flying is not permitted at this property without prior permission and approval. Commercial operators should contact the Trust’s Filming Manager at filming@nts.org.uk.

Group bookings

  • Preferential rate for groups of 12+
  • Warm welcome from Visitor Services Supervisor on arrival and wave goodbye
  • Designated coach bays for easy parking
  • Free parking for pre-booked coaches
  • Takeaway facility only in our café

For further information on commercial activities or to make a group booking, please contact our Travel Trade team on +44 (0) 131 458 0204 or email traveltrade@nts.org.uk


Please also see our drop-down Facilities below for helpful information about planning your visit. For more information about planning your visit please see some frequently asked questions.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Facilities & access

We’ve created a detailed Accessibility Guide for Crathes to assist with your visit.

We’d love you to visit the Euan’s Guide website to review the accessibility of Trust places and tell us (and others) what’s good and where we need to do better.

Accessible parking

The disabled car park is adjacent to the courtyard café. Disabled parking at the castle is by arrangement; please contact the ticket office on arrival for details.

Accessible toilet

The courtyard café has accessible toilets.

Baby changing

Baby changing facilities are available.

Bike facilities

We have a dedicated bike rack in the courtyard of Café 1702.

Buggy access

There is buggy access to Café 1702 and the gardens, but unfortunately not to the castle (apart from the ground floor) due to narrow staircases.

Café
Coach parking

We have a dedicated coach parking area in the car park.

Dogs welcome

Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate welcomes dogs and their responsible owners.

Only assistance dogs are allowed in the castle, the walled garden and Wild Wood Play Area.

Dogs are very welcome in the shop and café.

Guided tour

We offer free-flow tours, meaning you can experience the history of Crathes Castle and the gardens at your own pace.
Please feel free to ask staff for more details.

Holiday accommodation

We have a holiday cottage on the Crathes estate:

East Lodge (sleeps 4)

Booking a holiday with the National Trust for Scotland helps us to protect these places, now and for the future.

Parking

We have ample car parking spaces in a car park close to the castle. Parking is free for members.

Play area

We have a play park located at the café, which is open subject to the weather.

Self-guided trail

We have a variety of nature trails that lead across the estate, where you can spot a wide range of wildlife.

Shop

Top off your visit with a wander round our well-stocked gift shop.

Toilet

We have several toilets on site, located at Café 1702.

Walks

We have a variety of nature trails that lead across the estate, where you can spot a wide range of wildlife.

Wheelchair access

Please be aware that there is limited disabled access in the castle and around the estate. Should you require wheelchair assistance, do not hesitate to ask at the shop or café.

  • The ground floor of the castle is wheelchair accessible.
  • The upper levels are only accessible by stairs, mostly narrow spiral staircases.
  • Most of the walled garden is wheelchair accessible.
  • Most of the waymarked trails are not suitable for wheelchairs.
  • The path to Caroline’s Garden is fully accessible.
  • The courtyard café is fully accessible and also has accessible toilets.
Wi-Fi

We offer free Wi-Fi in the café.

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