Braemar Castle
A star-shaped fortress on the upper Dee near Braemar village. It is run by the local community and can be visited alongside the Highland Games.
Braemar Castle lies on the north side of Braemar village, upstream on Royal Deeside. It was built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar and later served as a garrison fortress for the Hanoverian dynasty. Its outer walls are rare for their star-shaped defensive design. The castle is run by the local community, and its interior displays the life of the Farquharson family. The guides are friendly. Braemar village is a small, Highland-style village. Each year on the first Saturday in September, it hosts the Braemar Gathering, attended by the British royal family, with events such as tossing the caber and pipe bands. Tickets for the Gathering must be bought in advance. The castle admission is about £12, and it is generally open April to October; check the website. It is about 95 km from Aberdeen (about 80 km in a straight line), and is usually visited together with Balmoral and Ballater on a day's self-drive.
Opening hours
approx. Apr–Oct, 10:00–16:00 (check official site)
Nearby sights
- Braemar & Braemar Gathering
- Glenshee Ski Centre
- Linn of Dee
- Lochnagar
- Balmoral Castle
- Crathie Kirk
- Royal Lochnagar Distillery
- Corgarff Castle