{"id":9591,"date":"2020-11-24T18:50:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-25T01:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/?p=9591"},"modified":"2025-08-20T11:44:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T17:44:21","slug":"aberdeenshire-castles-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/aberdeenshire-castles-scotland\/","title":{"rendered":"Aberdeenshire Castles &#038; the Royal Family&#8217;s Balmoral Estate"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"9591\" class=\"elementor elementor-9591\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-efe6142 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"efe6142\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-781562f7\" data-id=\"781562f7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e3f3e2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6e3f3e2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>SCOTLAND<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-617167b2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"617167b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69d94c92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"69d94c92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Plan a visit to the northeast coast of Scotland, rich with historic fortresses, stunning castles and the royal family&#8217;s famous summer residence\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7ba5e4e1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7ba5e4e1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-66411116\" data-id=\"66411116\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-551f0f34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"551f0f34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>There may be affiliate links within this post which provide me with a commission, at no cost to you. This is a way to help me to provide valuable content. More information at: <span style=\"text-decoration-line: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy &amp; Disclosure<\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7f54d31b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7f54d31b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-56fd701f\" data-id=\"56fd701f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2a438c elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f2a438c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dramatic cliffs, fairytale-pink castles and the the beloved summer home of the Royal Family make the Aberdeenshire castles of Scotland a noble and fascinating holiday destination.<\/p><p>The most famous among them, Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the British Royal Family, since 1852. The 50,000 acre estate was featured in season 4 of <em>The Crown<\/em> on Netflix. Lady Diana Spencer was first introduced to the Royal Family at Balmoral. A country girl at heart, she marches happily alongside Prince Philip as they hunt a stag on a sodden Scottish moor.<\/p><p>When we travelled to Scotland with our young teen boys, this land of castles and the Aberdeen seaside seemed an easy sell. We had also learned that one side of my husband&#8217;s family, the Pirie clan, came from Aberdeen, the largest city of the region.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d3c7d2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6d3c7d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b95ce9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b95ce9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Google Map<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e13f2b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e13f2b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Aberdeenshire Castles<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcba4c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fcba4c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1bt5O3yNn6z9BYJ5ZqIWfLMgic04uHdNL\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-545ddaf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"545ddaf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Having visited, I can say that the Aberdeenshire Castles trail, rich in history, beautiful architecture and gorgeous scenery would appeal to many travelers.<\/p><p>There are more than 260 castles, stately homes and medieval ruins in the region; I&#8217;ve selected 10 of the most popular to share here, several of which we visited and others which are on my list for next time. I definitely intend to return to Scotland.\u00a0<\/p><p>I&#8217;ve arranged them into a four-day itinerary of Aberdeenshire Castles. Tickets for each castle are purchased separately, online.\u00a0 However, if you plan to visit multiple castles, you may want to consider a membership with the National Trust of Scotland which preserves and manages six of the properties listed below: Crathes Castle, Craigievar Castle, Castle Fraser, Drum Castle, Leith&#8217;s Hall and Fyvie. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nts.org.uk\/join\/payment-method\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Trust of Scotland.<\/a><\/span><\/p><p><em>Note: Please check websites for latest information regarding hours, exhibits and whether masks are required.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ebc417 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4ebc417\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">DAY 1<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41abeef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"41abeef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Balmoral Castle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-700476b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"700476b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9649\" alt=\"Balmoral Castle in Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9aeb9d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9aeb9d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of members of the royal family, is set in the stunning Cairngorms National Park, as shown on the map above. It&#8217;s ideally suited for the country life which the royal family has such an affinity for and was the beloved retreat of Queen Elizabeth who spent each August here.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first home was built here in the 14th century, but the property wasn\u2019t owned by the r<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oyal family until 1852 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when Prince Albert purchased it for Queen Victoria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5a5458 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a5a5458\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle-scotland-19th-century.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25328\" alt=\"Balmoral Castle Scotland in the late 19th century\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle-scotland-19th-century.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle-scotland-19th-century-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle-scotland-19th-century-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle-scotland-19th-century-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/balmoral-castle-scotland-19th-century-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Balmoral Castle Scotland in the late 19th century<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe6835c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe6835c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Visit Balmoral Castle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eef3df8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eef3df8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.balmoralcastle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Balmoral Castle<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 offers <a href=\"https:\/\/balmoralcastle.com\/visiting\/balmoral-estate\/explore\/guided-tours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">several <\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"_wp_link_placeholder\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">tours<\/span><\/a>, some that takes guests inside the castle\u00a0 where important objects from around the castle have been placed on display. The Game Larder and Ice House are also a part of the tour, and afterward, guests are free to explore the grounds and gardens. <\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">Bookings must be made in advance at the <\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.balmoralcastle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Balmoral<\/a><\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\"> website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another special way to explore the estate, and view wildlife in the stunning national park, is on a Balmoral expedition tour.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/balmoralcastle.com\/visiting\/balmoral-estate\/explore\/guided-tours\/expedition-tours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Balmoral<\/a> <\/span>website for the latest information.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-98cd6bc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"98cd6bc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e09c4e4\" data-id=\"e09c4e4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9a64f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e9a64f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also <a href=\"https:\/\/balmoralcastle.com\/visiting\/dine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">dine at the castle<\/span><\/a>\u2014 afternoon tea is among the offerings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Better yet, stay at one of the charming <a href=\"https:\/\/balmoralcastle.com\/stay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">cottages on the property<\/span><\/a>. (These are closed at times, when the Royal Family is visiting.)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ca246e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7ca246e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">DAY 2<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20890b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"20890b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dunnottar Castle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a3eee8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1a3eee8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-distance.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9674\" alt=\"Dunnottar Castle sits on the Aberdeen coastline\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-distance.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-distance-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-distance-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-distance-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Dunnottar Castle sits on the Aberdeen coastline<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50b64ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"50b64ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>After Balmoral, Dunnottar Castle is a stark but stunning contrast. A ruined medieval fort set high on a rock cliff, surrounded on three sides by the North Sea. It was built between the 14th and 17th centuries, although the site was a part of Scottish history as far back as the 5th century when it was a Pictish fortress (the Picts were the Celtic people who lived in this this region in the early and middle ages.)\u00a0<\/p><p>The castle is accessed by a narrow isthmus of land and stone-cut path which winds to the top with gorgeous views along the way.\u00a0<\/p><p>It&#8217;s fun to meander among the ruins and imagine all that has happened here: the site has been besieged and invaded by the Vikings, and it was bunt and rebuilt more than once.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Mary Queen of Scots visited in 1562 and Cromwell\u2019s English army was held off, and the Scottish Crown Jewels saved from destruction.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7dcfcba elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7dcfcba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-ruins.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9653\" alt=\"Dunnottar Castle, a ruined medieval fortress\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-ruins.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-ruins-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dunnottar-castle-ruins-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The ruined Dunnottar Castle with gorgeous views of the North Sea.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05b47e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"05b47e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>And beyond all that, it is simply a stunning place to walk around. The ruins are interesting and the coastal views spectacular. Below the castle is a striking beach with tidepools that is also worth a visit, especially if you are with kids.\u00a0<\/p><p>Dunnottar is a spectacular stop on the Aberdeeenshire Castles Trail, so I recommend prioritizing it on your itinerary.\u00a0 Tickets are only available for purchase online: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dunnottar Castle.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86c2971 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"86c2971\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/thiefs-hole-dunnotar.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9640\" alt=\"An opening in the stone wall with a sign Thief&#039;s Hole at Dunnottar Castle Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/thiefs-hole-dunnotar.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/thiefs-hole-dunnotar-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/thiefs-hole-dunnotar-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/thiefs-hole-dunnotar-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Thief's Hole at Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire Scotland<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94eef5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"94eef5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Drum Castle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-712d196 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"712d196\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/drum-castle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9654\" alt=\"Drum Castle is over 700 years old\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/drum-castle.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/drum-castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/drum-castle-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7997e49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7997e49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drum Castle features one of Scotland\u2019s oldest tower houses, built in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1323.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Climb the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medieval tower to enjoy an amazing view of this historic estate and countryside. The property was built over centuries so represents various periods including a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jacobean mansion house and <\/span><span data-anchor-link-pos-phone_portrait=\"empty\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Victorian library with a collection of 4,000 rare books.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span data-anchor-link-pos-phone_portrait=\"empty\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u201cGarden of Historic Roses\u201d here has four unique rose garden areas &#8211; roses have grown here for 400 years! If this is of particular interest, the roses are best enjoyed in June and July. <\/span><\/span><span data-anchor-link-pos-phone_portrait=\"empty\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drum also has a stunning stone chapel with stained glass windows; it&#8217;s a well-preserved gem dating to the 1500\u2019s. <\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span data-anchor-link-pos-phone_portrait=\"empty\">If you&#8217;ve always wanted to sleep in a castle, this is your chance. Drum Castle has a <\/span>one-bedroom 16th century apartment located in its ancient courtyard. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nts.org.uk\/Holidays\/Accommodation\/Courtyard-Cottage-Drum-Castle-Garden-and-Estate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sleep at Drum Castle<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c61cc1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c61cc1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Crathes Castle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc16c5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dc16c5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-aberdeenshire.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9636\" alt=\"Crathes Castle Scotland with ancient yew hedges\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-aberdeenshire.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-aberdeenshire-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-aberdeenshire-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-aberdeenshire-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Crathes Castle with yew hedges dating to the 1700's<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d15118 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7d15118\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Crathes castle may not be the most spectacular of the Aberdeenshire Castles, but the setting has a fantastical sort of\u00a0 <em>&#8220;Alice in Wonderland&#8221;<\/em> charm and setting.<\/p><p>Perhaps it&#8217;s the ancient yew hedges shaped into giant bulbous sculptures. Or maybe it&#8217;s the perfectly manicured croquet field with colorful gardens at its edge. It all made me feel as though the Queen of Hearts or Cheshire Cat might appear as we toured this pretty Scottish estate.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-110e235 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"110e235\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a2682da\" data-id=\"a2682da\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ad7a6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5ad7a6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-garden.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9655\" alt=\"A man walks through a beautiful garden at Crathes Castle\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-garden.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-garden-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/crathes-castle-garden-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The beautiful flower garden and grounds make Crathes Castle special<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-156f24a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"156f24a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/croquet-crathes-castle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9656\" alt=\"People stand on a croquet field at Crathes Castle in Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/croquet-crathes-castle.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/croquet-crathes-castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/croquet-crathes-castle-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">We had the chance to try our hand at croquet, while visiting Crathes Castle<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-289d26c8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"289d26c8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6ce1b224\" data-id=\"6ce1b224\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c13f4f2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"c13f4f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10fcd622 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10fcd622\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There is as much to see outside Crathes Castle and if you are lucky as we were, a chance to play croquet with members of the local croquet club. Allow extra time for some unexpected fun at Crathes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef1f7f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ef1f7f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">DAY 3<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-786faf3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"786faf3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Fyvie Castle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cad42af elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3cad42af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/fyvie-castle-scotland.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9657\" alt=\"Fyvie Castle, one of the most striking in Aberdeenshire Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/fyvie-castle-scotland.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/fyvie-castle-scotland-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/fyvie-castle-scotland-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-173c2239 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"173c2239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A castle and fortress and one of the most impressive on this list, Fyvie is considered the finest example of Scottish Baronial architecture. It was owned by five successive families over 800 years with each adding a tower onto the castle.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fyvie is very large and offers lots to explore including a walled garden and loch (a small lake), racquets court and bowling alley, ice house and bird hide.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inside, are a collection of lavish oil paintings and portraits <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by Raeburn, Batoni, Romney, Gainsborough, Opie, Lawrence and Hoppner.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-816a220 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"816a220\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Leith Hall<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfdf307 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bfdf307\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/leith-hall.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9658\" alt=\"Leith Hall in Aberdeenshire Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/leith-hall.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/leith-hall-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/leith-hall-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2424290 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2424290\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This impressive house is filled with interesting objects from around the world, the treasures of ten generations of the aristocratic<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">Leith-Hay family<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: 1rem;\">.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The building dates to 1650 and also has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a military exhibition, which tells the story of generations of military men in the family. The house also served as an auxiliary hospital during World War I.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After exploring the castle, wander through the beautiful gardens, spiral mazes and wooded trails. There is also a shop and tearoom here.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39bf9ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"39bf9ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Duff House<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-716291b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"716291b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/duff-house.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9662\" alt=\"The grand and striking Duff House in Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/duff-house.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/duff-house-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/duff-house-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8277b18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8277b18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This baroque mansion was built by architect William Adam; it was an ambitious and expensive project completed in 1735, after several delays and disagreements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This house also has an eclectic recent history. It was sold by the family in 1906 and thereafter served as a hotel, and a sanatorium. During World War II it was an internment camp and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a headquarters for Allied regiments. In 1940, a bombing raid by the German army damaged the house.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After extensive restoration work, Duff House opened to the public in 1995 as a country house art gallery. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit to see the permanent artwork collection\u00a0 &#8211; a satellite of the National Galleries of Scotland &#8211;\u00a0 works by El Greco, Gainsborough, Raeburn and Ramsay,\u00a0 as well as important tapestries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-df25d0e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"df25d0e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-51dfb2f\" data-id=\"51dfb2f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d706600 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d706600\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">DAY 4<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de8d691 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"de8d691\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Castle Fraser<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6ae837 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b6ae837\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/castle-fraser.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9663\" alt=\"Castle Fraser, among the more striking of the Aberdeenshire Castles\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/castle-fraser.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/castle-fraser-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/castle-fraser-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47ceec5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47ceec5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Castle Fraser dates to 1636 and features one of the largest tower houses in Scotland. This castle is beautifully preserved and decorated inside with a striking Great Hall. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is well-suited to exploration by children with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fun features such as secret staircases, trapdoors, a spy hole and a wooden leg. It also has a walled garden; all its features create a sort of magical castle of your imagination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9aea36d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9aea36d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9664\" alt=\"Craigievar Castle, a lovely pink hue and set among trees\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b79f968 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b79f968\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Craigievar Castle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c074a74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c074a74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This gorgeous pink castle looks like something out of a fairytale; it feels as if Rapunzel might appear in the highest window and unfurl her hair. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The architecture is a classic and beautiful example of the Scottish Baronial style, with iconic turrets. It remains one of the best-preserved of this style in Aberdeenshire and all of Scotland.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The castle is explored on a guided tour and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it has a significant collection of art and artifacts, including paintings and an armory. There are also two hiking trails here: a 1.2 km walk and a 3.2 km hike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0421571 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0421571\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d98a81d\" data-id=\"d98a81d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-392b17c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"392b17c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-side.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9669\" alt=\"The path to Craigievar Castle\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-side.jpg 445w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-side-223x300.jpg 223w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0801cdd\" data-id=\"0801cdd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72069c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"72069c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-garden.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9670\" alt=\"The garden at Craigievar Castle Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-garden.jpg 445w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/craigievar-castle-garden-223x300.jpg 223w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3897f42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3897f42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its tall narrow shape give it a unique and magical feeling. It&#8217;s said that Craigievar Castle was Walt Disney\u2019s inspiration when he envisioned Cinderella\u2019s Castle for Walt Disney World.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3222dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e3222dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/aberdeenshire-scotland.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25324\" alt=\"Aberdeenshire countryside in Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/aberdeenshire-scotland.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/aberdeenshire-scotland-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/aberdeenshire-scotland-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/aberdeenshire-scotland-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/aberdeenshire-scotland-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Aberdeenshire countryside in Scotland<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8abda0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d8abda0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tolquhon Castle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3511f96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3511f96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I didn&#8217;t make it to Tolquhon Castle but it&#8217;s said to be a fascinating\u00a0 ruin and beautiful site. You could skip this if you feel you&#8217;ve already seen a castle ruin at Dunnottar. Conversely, if the drama of the Dunnottar ruins were especially enjoyable for your group, make a stop at Tolquhon.\u00a0<\/p><p>As with other castles\u00a0 on the tour, the oldest part of the castle is a tower house, said to be built by Sir John Forbes in 1420. What remains of the castle today was finished in 1589.\u00a0<\/p><p>Although ruined castles don&#8217;t have all of the details that tell a story of the daily life of the people who once lived here, the dramatic remains offer inspiration for the imagination.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-381a297 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"381a297\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/view-crathes-castle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9678\" alt=\"View from Crathes Castle over its garden and the rolling countryside\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/view-crathes-castle.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/view-crathes-castle-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/view-crathes-castle-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/view-crathes-castle-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A view out over the countryside of Aberdeenshire Castles<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fce4a9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fce4a9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitscotland.com\/see-do\/attractions\/castles\/scotland-castle-trail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Visit Scotland <\/span><\/a>is a wonderful resource for planning a trip to see the Aberdeenshire Castles, as well as the rest of Scotland.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7f74e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d7f74e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Big-Fish-Bar-Ramoir.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9919\" alt=\"A man and his son sit at at a table in a country hotel in Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Big-Fish-Bar-Ramoir.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Big-Fish-Bar-Ramoir-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Big-Fish-Bar-Ramoir-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6095e76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6095e76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Stay near Balmoral &amp; Castle Trail <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-babca83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"babca83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ramoir House<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fad77e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2fad77e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">We stayed in a gorgeous Scottish country house with gorgeous views in all directions. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.raemoir.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Raemoir House<\/a><\/span>\u00a0is only half an hour from Aberdeen which has an international airport. From here, you are in the midst of Scottish Castle country and about 40 minutes to Balmoral Castle. (I\u2019ve marked the location on the map at the top of the story.)<\/p><p class=\"p1\">The original house dates to 1690 and all the main rooms have an open fire; we visited in June and enjoyed the expansive lawn and sitting outside, but this would be perfect in winter.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>After a day of site seeing I felt as if we had stepped into a Victorian novel as we enjoyed a cocktail and played games in the stunning Oval Room with its Victorian flocked-velvet walls and old family portraits.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67d024e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"67d024e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ramoir-House-Scotland.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9929\" alt=\"Raemoir House, Aberdeenshire Scotland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ramoir-House-Scotland.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ramoir-House-Scotland-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ramoir-House-Scotland-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Raemoir House, in Aberdeenshire Scotland is a 40-minute drive from  Balmoral Castle<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a983f42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a983f42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">The house has a gorgeous formal dining room and for a more casual meal with the kids, we loved the Big Fish bar (pictured above). The big catch and celebrity of the bar weighs 96 pounds apparently. He sits above a well appointed and stocked whiskey cabinet.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">The property is set on 14 acres of secluded wood with walking trails nearby. A lovely hike to the top of the hill offers views of the North Sea in the distance.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\">It was a little pricey, as we needed two rooms since we were traveling with the boys, but it was a worthwhile indulgence and highlight of our time in the UK. And the prefect place from which to explore the stunning castles of Aberdeenshire.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5dfe0041 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5dfe0041\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c9c112\" data-id=\"c9c112\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c9127ab content-align-cta-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-cta-box\" data-id=\"3c9127ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-cta-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"eael-call-to-action cta-basic bg-lite cta-preset-1\">\n        <h3 class=\"title eael-cta-heading\">Join Midlife Globetrotter<\/h3><p>If you found this story useful, please subscribe. You'll receive my curated recommendations, hotel reviews, packing tips and more!\u00a0<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/susanheinrich.substack.com\/\" class=\"cta-button cta-preset-1  \">Subscribe<\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1074046 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1074046\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a01fb5d\" data-id=\"a01fb5d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5092ddc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5092ddc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Scotland Car Rental<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c2a2be elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-15856 elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c2a2be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>This section contains affiliate links that could provide me with a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a reservation or purchase. More information at: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy &amp; Disclosure<\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5e99e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5e99e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We rented our car in Scotland with <a href=\"https:\/\/fxo.co\/C4Qp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">EuropCar<\/span><\/a> and were very happy with the car, the price and the service. I&#8217;ve found the biggest way to save money is to reserve well ahead (most car reservations can be cancelled for free). Car rental pricing is dynamic &#8211; as demand increases closer to the date, so does the price.<\/p>\n<p>A couple of things to keep in mind about UK car rentals: Not everyone is comfortable driving in the UK, on the left side of the road. My husband is fine with it, I&#8217;m not. Secondly, cars in the UK and Europe more often have standard transmission; if you want an automatic, you will have to request it specifically, and double-check they have it available.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Find more information and quotes at: <a href=\"https:\/\/fxo.co\/C4Qp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">EuropCar<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SCOTLAND Plan a visit to the northeast coast of Scotland, rich with historic fortresses, stunning castles and the royal family&#8217;s famous summer residence\u00a0 There may be affiliate links within this post which provide me with a commission, at no cost to you. This is a way to help me to provide valuable content. More information [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[175,172,173,137,174,170,191],"class_list":["post-9591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-guides","tag-aberdeenshire-castles","tag-architecture","tag-balmoral-castle","tag-scotland","tag-scottish-castles","tag-uk","tag-where-to-travel"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/castle-trail-scotland-dunnottar.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9591"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9591\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}