Braemar Castle, Aberdeenshire — historic house

historic house · Aberdeenshire · Scotland

Braemar Castle

Photo: Braemar Castle by Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

About this place

Built in 1628, Braemar Castle is a Scottish tower house near the village of Braemar in Aberdeenshire.

Its history was shaped by Jacobite uprisings and clan rivalries on Deeside, and it has long been a possession of the chief of Clan Farquharson.

The castle is now run as Scotland's first community-managed castle, operated by Braemar Community Ltd, a Scottish charitable company.

Historic Houses members receive free admission.

Read more on Wikipedia

History

The castle was built in 1628 and passed through periods of turbulence during the Jacobite uprisings. It has long been a possession of the chief of Clan Farquharson, whose story is told throughout the interior. In later years it became a high-society retreat with royal connections before falling quiet, until local volunteers revived it as a community-run attraction operated by Braemar Community Ltd, a Scottish charitable company.

Architecture

Braemar Castle is a classic Scottish tower house, a form typical of the early seventeenth century in the north-east of Scotland. The castle's architectural development can be traced through its interior, which retains authentic period rooms and features.

Worth knowing

A 19th-century folly called the Fog House stands in the grounds and looks out towards Invercauld Estate.

Gardens & grounds

The grounds include a 1930s kitchen garden planted with heritage varieties of fruit and vegetables, and the Fog House folly set along winding paths.

Facilities

Parking

Plan your visit

Nearest station: Aviemore (Strathspey Railway) (20.3 miles)

Open seasonally from April to October; check official website for current dates and hours.

Nearby properties

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Braemar Castle there are 2 historic properties, including 2 historic buildings.

2 National Trust for Scotland
2 Historic building
See these 2 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Braemar Castle there are 3 historic properties, including 2 historic buildings, across National Trust for Scotland and Historic Houses sites.

2 National Trust for Scotland
1 Historic Houses
2 Historic building
1 Historic house
See these 3 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Braemar Castle there are 4 historic properties, including 2 historic buildings, across National Trust for Scotland, Historic Houses and Historic Environment Scotland sites.

2 National Trust for Scotland
1 Historic Houses
1 Historic Environment Scotland
2 Historic building
1 Castle
1 Historic house
See these 4 sites on the heritage map

Facts

Scotland's first community-run castle, kept alive by the volunteers of Clan Farquharson country.

Type
historic house
Location
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Visit duration
Allow approximately 1 hour for a guided tour
Historic Houses
Official website

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