Standing five storeys tall amid over 300 acres of Aberdeenshire parkland, Castle Fraser is Scotland’s most elaborate Z-plan castle and one of the grandest of the celebrated ‘Castles of Mar’. With a history stretching back to the 15th century, a collection of ghost stories that would make your hair stand on end, and some of the most beautiful walled gardens in the northeast, this National Trust for Scotland property is an absolute must-visit. My wife Janette and I spent a glorious summer’s day here exploring the castle from its vaulted kitchens to the top of its round tower, wandering the herbaceous borders, and soaking up the sunshine in the walled garden deckchairs. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Castle Fraser.
The History of Castle Fraser
The story of Castle Fraser begins long before the imposing structure you see today. Archaeological evidence suggests that an older square tower stood on this site from around 1400 or 1500, and it’s this ancient core that gives the castle its claim to origins dating back to the mid-15th century. The land was originally known as Muchall-in-Mar, and it was home to the Fraser family for over four centuries.
The construction of the elaborate Z-plan castle that dominates the landscape today was begun in 1575 by Michael Fraser, the 6th Laird of Fraser. The work was carried out by two of the finest master masons of the period – John Bell of Midmar and Thomas Leiper – and a carved panel on the northern face of the castle still bears Bell’s mason’s mark, “I Bel”. If those names ring a bell (no pun intended), it’s because the same family of masons was responsible for several other iconic Aberdeenshire castles, including Craigievar, Crathes, and Midmar. The castle was finally completed in 1636, giving it a construction period spanning over sixty years.
One of the most fascinating chapters in the castle’s history came in the late 18th century, when Elyza Fraser – a remarkable ‘lady laird’ – took charge of modernising the building. Assisted by her companion Mary Bristow, Elyza oversaw a transformation in the classical style, inserting a new entrance on the south side and fitting sash windows throughout. She also redesigned the grounds, sweeping away the original formal gardens and orchards in favour of the landscaped parkland we see today, and commissioned the impressive octagonal stable block.
The interiors were entirely reconstructed again between 1820 and 1850 by Charles Fraser, who employed the architects John Smith and William Burn. Smith created the fine Regency-style library with its Tudor detailing, while Burn drew up ambitious Gothic designs for the main rooms – though many of his more extravagant plans were never carried out. External works during this period included the construction of the twin gatehouses that still stand at the entrance to the estate.
The Fraser line at the castle came to an end in 1897 when Frederick Mackenzie Fraser, the last male heir, died childless. His widow Theodora sold the castle in 1921 to Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray, who gave it to his son Bernard Clive Pearson for restoration. The Pearson family eventually donated Castle Fraser to the National Trust for Scotland in 1976, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.
Ghosts of Castle Fraser
No Scottish castle worth its salt is without a ghost story, and Castle Fraser has more than its fair share. The most famous tale involves a young woman – said by some to be a princess – who was murdered while sleeping in the Green Room. According to legend, her bloodied body was dragged down the stairs of the round tower, leaving stains so deep in the stone that no amount of scrubbing could remove them. The steps were eventually covered with wooden panelling, which remains to this day. Visitors have reported seeing the apparition of a bloodied young woman in the castle, and some claim to hear soft whispers and footsteps echoing through the Great Hall.
The castle also has a second ghost: Lady Blanche Drummond, who married Frederick Mackenzie Fraser in 1871 but tragically died of consumption just three years later in 1874, at a young age. She is said to roam the castle and its grounds dressed in a long black gown. An oil painting of Lady Blanche still hangs within the castle, a poignant reminder of her brief time here.
Film fans might also be interested to know that Castle Fraser was used as a backdrop in the 2006 film The Queen, starring Dame Helen Mirren.
Our Visit to Castle Fraser
Getting There and First Impressions
Castle Fraser is located about 16 miles west of Aberdeen and 4 miles north of Dunecht, tucked into the rolling Aberdeenshire countryside. One word of warning – the NTS website specifically advises not to follow sat nav for the last two miles of the journey, as the directions can be unreliable. Instead, follow the brown Castle Fraser signs, which will guide you straight to the entrance and car park.
The car park is a good size and free to use, and it was fairly busy when we arrived on a sunny summer’s day. From the car park, you pass through a charming wooden entrance gateway where there’s an estate map board showing the layout of the grounds, the two walking trails, and all the key features. It’s well worth taking a moment to study this before heading in.
Exploring the Castle
The walk from the car park to the castle itself takes just a few minutes along a lovely tree-lined path, and when the castle comes into view it really is quite something. The sheer scale of the building is impressive – five storeys of harled stone with conical turrets, corbelled bartizans, and that magnificent round tower topped with its balustraded viewing platform. It’s one of the largest tower houses in Scotland, and it certainly looks the part.
You enter through the courtyard, which is flanked on both sides by lower courtyard buildings housing the gift shop and tearoom. It’s a really atmospheric space – the imposing tower looms above you and there are flower planters, benches, and a few tables dotted about. The heraldic panel high up on the castle wall is particularly impressive from this angle.
Inside, you’re free to explore at your own pace, with knowledgeable NTS guides stationed in the key rooms. The ground floor begins with the original vaulted kitchen, which is wonderful – a huge stone hearth with iron cooking pots, a plate rack lined with blue and white china, and a flagstone floor that has clearly seen centuries of use. It immediately gives you a sense of just how old this place is.
The medieval Great Hall is the real showstopper on the ground floor. With its massive stone fireplace, vaulted ceiling, and walls hung with family portraits – including one of a Fraser ancestor resplendent in a red military coat – it’s one of the most evocative rooms in any Scottish castle. There’s an antique spinet piano beside the fireplace and a beautiful iron chandelier overhead. This is also the room where you’ll find the entrance to the Laird’s Lug – a hidden chamber above the hall where the laird could eavesdrop on his guests. It’s one of those quirky features that really brings the history to life.
Moving upstairs, the Regency dining room is a real contrast to the medieval simplicity of the Great Hall. It’s all elegance and refinement here – golden yellow walls, a glittering crystal chandelier, ornate gilt mirrors, and a mahogany dining table laid with silver service. This room was part of the 1820s refurbishment by architect John Smith and it really shows the wealth and taste of the Fraser family in that era.
The Peacock Parlour is perhaps the most talked-about room in the castle, and it’s easy to see why. The walls are covered in the most extraordinary early 19th-century wallpaper – a bold, almost tropical pattern in deep red and gold featuring exotic birds and foliage. It’s incredibly striking and surprisingly well preserved. Green velvet furniture sits behind red rope barriers, and the overall effect is like stepping into a completely different world from the austere stone rooms elsewhere in the castle.
Further exploration reveals beautifully preserved Victorian bedrooms with four-poster beds, cosy sitting rooms filled with family photographs and personal mementos, and intimate turret rooms tucked into the round towers where you can browse albums of historical photographs of the Fraser family. Castle Fraser really does retain the atmosphere of a family home rather than a museum, and that’s a big part of its charm.
The View from the Round Tower
The highlight of any visit to Castle Fraser has to be climbing to the top of the round tower. It’s a bit of a clamber up the spiral staircase, but the panoramic views from the viewing platform at the top are absolutely worth it. From up here you can look down over the courtyard and its rooftops, across the parkland to the distant hills, and get a bird’s-eye view of the stunning walled garden below. On a clear day, the outlook towards Bennachie is superb.
The Walled Garden
After exploring the castle interior, we headed down to the walled garden – and what a treat it is. The garden has been returned to its 18th-century appearance and is packed with herbaceous borders, specimen trees, shrubs, vegetables, and wall-trained fruit. The colours were absolutely spectacular when we visited in summer, with vivid pinks, purples, and blues from the phlox, globe thistles, and other perennials lining the gravel paths.
One of the things I loved about the garden was the espaliered apple trees trained against the old brick walls, absolutely laden with fruit. The garden also has an orchard area with some unusual apple varieties, medicinal herb borders, and plenty of vegetables – some of which make their way into the tearoom menu.
There are deckchairs scattered about the lawn areas within the walled garden, and Janette and I took full advantage of these for a well-deserved rest in the sunshine. It’s a wonderfully peaceful spot, and with the castle visible through the surrounding greenery, it feels like a proper hidden gem.
The Grounds and Estate
Beyond the walled garden, the Castle Fraser estate extends to over 300 acres and offers two waymarked walking trails. Miss Bristow’s Wood trail (1.25 miles, 45–60 minutes) takes you through a designed woodland in the footsteps of 18th-century owner Elyza Fraser – look out for the Moses Well with its Old Testament carvings and the monument to Elyza’s companion Mary Bristow. The Alton Brae trail (1.5 miles, about 60 minutes) leads through mixed woodland to the Flight Pond, where you might spot dragonflies and damselflies – over 10 species have been recorded here.
For families, there’s also the Woodland Secrets adventure playground with wooden sculptures, a tree hut, and a giant xylophone – we could hear children having a great time there as we wandered past.
The Gift Shop
Before heading off, we popped into the NTS gift shop, which is housed in one of the vaulted courtyard buildings. It’s a lovely space with a good range of gifts including honey from the castle’s own beehives, tartan accessories, Castle Fraser branded items, books, and various Scottish-themed souvenirs. There’s also a second-hand bookshop, which is always a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Castle Fraser?
Admission to Castle Fraser costs around £17 for adults and £13.50 for concessions. Young Scot cardholders pay £1, and children under 5 go free. Admission is free for National Trust for Scotland members. The grounds and estate are free to access year-round.
When is Castle Fraser open?
The castle, shop, and tearoom have varying seasonal opening hours, typically from 10:30 to 16:00 or 16:30 depending on the time of year, with last entry 30–60 minutes before closing. Summer months (July–August) offer daily opening, while other periods are usually Friday to Tuesday. The grounds and estate are open daily all year. Check the NTS website for current opening times.
Is there parking at Castle Fraser?
Yes, there is a free visitor car park on the estate. Disabled parking is available near the front of the castle. Note that sat nav can be unreliable for the last couple of miles – follow the brown Castle Fraser signs instead.
Is Castle Fraser wheelchair accessible?
The ground floor of the castle is accessible for wheelchair users via the front door (contact staff on 01330 833463 for assistance). The upper floors are not accessible, but there is a digital screen in the reception area showing the upper rooms in detail. The walled garden and adventure playground are wheelchair accessible, though the courtyard gravel can be challenging.
Are dogs allowed at Castle Fraser?
Dogs are welcome on leads in the grounds and on the estate trails. They are not permitted inside the castle or in the courtyard area. Grazing livestock may be present on parts of the estate, so please keep dogs under close control.
Is there a café at Castle Fraser?
Yes, there is a refurbished courtyard tearoom serving teas, coffees, home baking, soups, sandwiches, and light lunches. Some produce comes straight from the walled garden. Last orders are at 4pm.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Allow 2–3 hours for a thorough visit including the castle interior, walled garden, and a quick look around the grounds. If you plan to walk one or both of the estate trails, add an extra 1–2 hours.
Key Information
- Location: Castle Fraser, Sauchen, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 7LD
- Grid Reference: NJ 722 125
- Managed by: National Trust for Scotland
- Entry: Paid (around £17 adult / free for NTS members). Grounds free.
- Parking: Free visitor car park on the estate
- Facilities: Tearoom, gift shop, toilets, adventure playground
- Accessibility: Ground floor and walled garden accessible for wheelchair users. Upper floors not accessible (digital screen available).
- Dogs: Welcome on leads in the grounds, not inside the castle or courtyard
- Website: www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/castle-fraser
What Else is Nearby?
Craigievar Castle – Often described as the quintessential Scottish fairy-tale castle, this pink-harled tower house is just 10 miles from Castle Fraser. Also managed by the NTS, it was built by the same Bell family of master masons and is well worth a visit.
Crathes Castle – Another stunning NTS property on the Aberdeenshire Castle Trail, Crathes is famous for its Jacobean painted ceilings, its ancient Horn of Leys, and its magnificent gardens. It’s around 20 miles south of Castle Fraser.
Drum Castle – One of Scotland’s oldest tower houses with a 13th-century keep, beautiful grounds, and its own collection of ghost stories. Located about 15 miles southeast of Castle Fraser near Banchory.
Bennachie – The iconic hill range visible from Castle Fraser’s round tower. A walk to the summit of Mither Tap (518m) rewards you with spectacular views across Aberdeenshire and is one of the region’s most popular hill walks.
Castle Trail – Castle Fraser sits on the Aberdeenshire Castle Trail, a route linking many of the finest castles in the northeast. You could easily combine a visit here with Crathes, Craigievar, Drum, or Fyvie for a grand castle day out.
Final Thoughts
Castle Fraser really impressed us. The combination of its sheer architectural grandeur, the wonderfully preserved interiors that still feel like a family home, the ghost stories, and those glorious walled gardens make it one of the standout castle visits in Aberdeenshire. The views from the top of the round tower alone are worth the trip. Whether you’re a history buff, a garden lover, or just looking for a cracking family day out in the Aberdeenshire countryside, Castle Fraser delivers on every front. We’ll definitely be back.
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