Scotland Magical Castle Trail: Aberdeenshire road trip itinerary

Your Ultimate Guide to Chasing Castles in Scotland, Highland Whimsy & Seriously Scenic Moments

Scotland is one of my favourite places in the world.

So naturally, when it came to crafting the ultimate Scottish road trip around Aberdeenshire, castles, dramatic landscapes, legendary tales, and cosy hideaways were absolutely non-negotiable. We packed our bags, hopped on a flight, fuelled up the hire car (snacks included), and set off on a week-long adventure across Aberdeenshire… the land of 260+ castles.

Yes, really.

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a real-life fairy tale with a touch of Outlander energy and Game of Thrones drama, in a scenic sense ONLY…. then you’re in the right place.

Let’s dive into this unforgettable week long Scotland Castles itinerary that hits 10 castles in Scotland in Aberdeenshire, a few magical extras and life changing scenery.

Day One: Castles, Clifftops & Coastal Magic in Aberdeenshire

Touchdown in Edinburgh, grab your hire car, cue your road trip playlist (bagpipes optional), and make your way two hours north to Aberdeenshire.

First Stop: Crathes Castle

Our first castle of the trail and what a beauty to begin with!

Built in the 16th century, Crathes Castle is a turreted dream surrounded by lush, sculpted walled gardens that deserve a slow stroll. Think enchanted hedges, secret paths, and vibrant blooms that change with the seasons. There are eight sections of the garden and each has different plants from parts around the world, how cool is that?

Tickets to go inside are £17.00 for adults. Please note pre-booking is not possible. Entry to castle every 10 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from shop.

Dates Open for the Castle (but the grounds are open year round for visits!)

3 Mar–4 May, daily, 10.00–16.00

5 May–31 Aug, daily, 10.00–17.00

1 Sep–2 Nov, daily, 10.00–16.00

Next Up: Dunnottar Castle — What is the best way to see the castle?

Prepare to be wowed. Perched dramatically atop a 160 feet high sea-battered cliff, Dunnottar Castle is the definition of cinematic.

It’s rumoured to have inspired Pixar’s Brave, and if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll recognise this used as a filming location.

Iconic views are pretty easy to get! There’s a car park that’s easily accessible and you walk down a short path to the seaside.

If you’re looking to head in… and you should, the castle opens at 9am! You’ll have to walk down and up some steep staircases but it’s worth it once you step inside the storied walls and take in the views.

This castle is moody, magical, and easily one of my favourites.

Adult tickets are £13.00. Check their website here for full availability hours.

📍 Overnight Stay Tip: Overnight near Stonehaven for easy access to the coast and a fresh seafood dinner. The Marine Hotel offers sea views and cozy charm.

Day Two: Scotland’s famous Pink Castle & Royal Encounters

Rise & shine! Today’s all about storybook vibes and royal history.

Craigievar Castle – How to spend your time at the Pink Castle!

Yes, it’s that pink castle. One of the best castles in Scotland! Rumoured to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, Craigievar is a vision in rose-hued stone and fairytale turrets.

It’s only just been re-opened after conservation work, so now’s the perfect time to visit and soak up that pastel charm. The inside is closed during the winter but check opening times for spring and summer visits to head inside.

Otherwise, I’d highly recommend either visiting first thing in the morning to get those great empty shots or perhaps visiting in the afternoon and bringing a picnic for the grounds – I’d love to do that next time!

Castle Fraser – Does it have a connection with Outlander?

A short 20-minute drive away, Castle Fraser is a sprawling masterpiece. Built between 1575 and 1636 by the 6th laird, Michael Fraser, it has secret staircases, lavish rooms, and the dreamiest estate grounds to wander.

And sadly, no connection to Outlander. It just happens to have the same name as our favourite, Jamie!

Next, make your way to Braemar, nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, where Balmoral Castle and more magic awaits!

🏨 Where to Stay near Balmoral

Two nights at The Fife Arms in Braemar is a must.

They have some seriously incredible curated art collections (they have a Picasso!) and quirky elegance meets tartan. Their pub is a local gem, and the Clunie Dining Room is a culinary experience all on its own.

Day Three: A Royal & Relaxing Reset

Time to slow things down just a bit, because, you deserve it on this grand journey.

Start your day with a dreamy hotel breakfast (fluffy pancakes, local jams, Highland eggs) before heading out for a royal adventure.

Balmoral Castle — What is it like? When can you visit?

Balmoral Castle awaits you! This is the beloved holiday home of the Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II spent many summers here, and you’ll feel the royal reverence walking the grounds.

It’s actually incredibly cool having a wander around the grounds. They have a really lovely café on site and a gift shop where I picked up Christmas ornaments for me and my mom!

In the winter, the grounds are open from Friday to Sunday. And from April 1st – August 10th the grounds are open daily to the public. Though the only room in the Castle open to the public that will be open during this time is the Ballroom, where visitors can see a 2025 exhibition.

Check ahead for timings to avoid any disappointment!

Spend your afternoon soaking in the Fife Arms magic. Grab a cocktail in the drawing room, check out the art installations, and don’t miss the Whisky Bar. It’s sultry, stylish, and stacked with rare whisky finds, a true hidden gem.

Day Four: Hidden Gems & Castle Ruins

Braemar Castle

Just 10 minutes from town, Braemar Castle is a community-run treasure and honestly, the people here make the visit all the more special. It’s quirky, endearing, and has loads of personality packed inside those stone walls.

Back to Balmoral (yes, again!)

If you didn’t get the chance to explore Balmoral inside, today might be your window, or you might just want another scenic stroll around the estate.

Huntly Castle

Next, journey to the ruins of Huntly Castle, known for its striking stonework and history of noble drama (kidnappings! rebellion! intrigue!). There’s also the super cute resident cat! Buster the castle cat lives at Huntly Castle! He is looked after by everyone in the area and sleeps at the castle like a little prince!

We arrived just after closing, but you can still see much from the outside. One for the return list!

🌙 Stay the Night: The Fife Lodge Hotel in Banff. Super friendly, locally loved, and perfect if you’re travelling on a budget.

Day Five: Dracula’s Inspiration & Art-Filled Mansions

Duff House

Not a castle, but very much worth the stop.

Duff House is an 18th-century Georgian mansion with exhibitions on from the National Galleries of Scotland.

Fyvie Castle

This 800-year-old fortress is rich in history and ghost stories (ooh). The interior is seasonally open, but the gardens and loch are open year-round. It’s romantic, historic, and very much photo-op worthy.

🥪 Lunch Stop: Don’t miss The Coffee Apothecary en route to Slains Castle. The coffee is delicious and the toasties are divine.

Slains Castle — Here’s the best way to explore the clifftop ruins

Haunting and beautiful. These cliffside ruins are where Bram Stoker allegedly drew inspiration for Dracula. You can absolutely feel the gothic energy here, wild waves crashing below, winds whipping through broken windows. It’s very atmospheric.

This one is a bit of a walk to get to though. There is a car park and then you walk about a half hour or so to get to Slains Castle. Tough on a windy day! But the castle ruins are completely open to the public so you can wander in and out as you please any time of day!

🏨 Top place to stay (and eat!) in Aberdeen: Malmaison Aberdeen. A boutique hotel in the heart of the city, with luxe touches and an excellent restaurant. Definitely book a table here for dinner!

Day Six: Libraries, Lava Games & a City Finale in Aberdeen

Drum Castle

One more castle? Go on, then. Drum Castle is an open year-round gem with epic interiors and one of the coolest libraries I’ve seen. The core of Drum Castle dates back to the 1300s! The Royal Forest and Tower of Drum were given to the Irvine family by Robert the Bruce in 1323. Later a Jacobean mansion house was added, and in the Victorian era the lower hall was converted to a library, now containing over 4,000 books!

And apparently the family used to play “the floor is lava” in the library! If you visit, take a peek at the fireplace mantle, you can see it dipping on either side from where the family would climb onto it to scale the perimeter of the room.

And if you love a spooky tale or two, this castle has a few chills in its history too…

Top things to do in Aberdeen + Best places to eat and drink

Wrap up your adventure with a final wander through Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Art Gallery is totally free and very impressive.

🍷 Dinner & Drinks: Hit up Smoke and Soul for smoky BBQ goodness, then wander to Sugar Bird Wine Bar for a cosy nightcap and a little toast to the best castle road trip ever.

Ready to Plan Your Own Castle Trail?

Castles in Scotland aren’t just stone and history, they’re still living stories, waiting to be explored.

From pink towers to royal estates, misty cliffs to mountain cairns, this trip was a literal dream come true. You can explore more of Scotland’s Aberdeenshire Castle Trail here.

And save this guide for your next adventure! Plus keep your eyes peeled for more adventures to come (and pop on over to visit my Ireland Castle Series) because trust me, the magic doesn’t stop here! ✨

Thanks so much for joining me!

Kelly xoxo