Castles

Historic Scotland

If you love delving into the past, there are some amazing castles to visit near Meldrum House. Just 8 miles you can visit the historic Fyvie Castle which dates back to the 13^th century. Or Haddo House is a fine example of a stately home located near Tarves and owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Find out more below.

Turriff, Ellon AB53 8JS

Fyvie Castle

Dating back to the 13th century, Fyvie Castle is found about a mile north of the village of Fyvie in Aberdeenshire. This stunning castle was once a royal stronghold, one of a chain of fortresses throughout medieval Scotland. The oldest part of the castle still stands today, dating from the 13th century, which houses a great wheel staircase, the finest in Scotland.

Methlick, Ellon AB41 7EQ

Haddo House

Haddo House was designed by William Adam for the 2nd Earl of Aberdeen in 1732, and refurbished in the 1880s. Unusual for Aberdeenshire in that it is not a castle, Haddo House is proud to be the most homely of the north east of Scotland’s great houses open to the public. The house elegantly blends crisp Georgian architecture with sumptuous late Victorian interiors by Wright and Mansfield.

Tarves, By Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 7LP

Tolquhon Castle

Explore the impressive ruins of this fairytale castle set in the stunning Grampian countryside. Sitting within spacious grounds, Tolquhon has been described as one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. Sir William Forbes, who commissioned it in 1584, intended it to be an impressive residence, though he incorporated plenty of gunloops to deter any hostile visitors.

Sauchen, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 7LD

Castle Fraser

About 16 miles west of Aberdeen is the stunning Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. Built between 1575 and 1636 by the 6th laird, Michael Fraser, Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland. The castle belongs to the same period of native architectural achievement as two neighbouring castles, Crathes and Craigievar. One of the castle’s most evocative rooms is the strikingly simple Great Hall. The castle contains many Fraser family portraits, including one by Raeburn, and fine 18th- and 19th-century carpets, curtains and bed hangings, and even Charles Mackenzie Fraser’s wooden leg!