05 Jun 2024
As Aberdeenshire's iconic Craigievar Castle and the community-run Braemar Castle have both reopened following extensive multimillion pound refurbishments, visitors should make the most of the sunshine with a visit to these and many more of Scotland's estates, walled gardens and castles.
Whether an afternoon picnic amongst nature or stepping back in time to marvel at the ancient tales and architecture, find the latest gardens and castle news as well as unique events taking place across Scotland below, to inspire the ultimate day out during a break away:
Spotlight: Charming Castles
Over twenty Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sites have reopened their doors to welcome summer visitors, as well as several heritage locations too.
This includes Lochleven Castle, which famously held Mary Queen of Scots imprisoned in 1567; Iron Age archaeology at the Broch of Gurness; dark historical tales from Hermitage Castle, Spynie Palace, Newark Castle and Scotland's only circular castle, Rothesay Castle, following essential conservation work. For the full list of reopenings and prices for admission, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot
Braemar Castle, Aberdeenshire, now open
Built by the Earl of Mar in 1628, Braemar Castle has been a hunting lodge, fortress, garrison and family home. An iconic 17th century landmark in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. The castle's future rests with the small community of Braemar, and over the past ten years the village has been working to raise funds and gradually conserve and restore the castle to provide even better facilities for future visitors. As a result of the communities' efforts, Braemar Castle is opening its doors following a £1.6 million restoration programme to re-render the exterior.
Opening times: Thursday to Sunday 11am - 4pm, last entry 3pm
Admission: Adults £12, Group rate available (pre booking required, price applicable to groups over 10 participants) £10pp, Children (aged 5 – 12) £5.00, Family tickets available.
For more information and updates on additional opening times in summer, please visit: www.braemarcastle.co.uk
Craigievar Castle, Aberdeenshire, now open
An example of the best of Scottish Baronial architecture, Craigievar Castle fits naturally amongst the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire. The elegant pink tower of Craigievar Castle was completed in 1626 and is amongst the most loved in Scotland. Craigievar Castle reopened last month following an essential conservation project which included refreshing the lime wash that gives Craigievar its distinctive and beloved pink colour.
Opening times: 10.30–16.00 (last tour and entry 16.00)
Admission: Adult £16.00, Concession £12.50, Family £36.50, One adult family £31.50, Free admission to National Trust members.
For more information on Craigievar Castle, and the Pink Again Project, please visit https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/craigievar/
Spotlight: Gorgeous Gardens
Drummond Castle Gardens, Perthshire
Currently in the spotlight having hosted the celebrity-studded Dior event for their 2025 Cruise collection this week, Drummond Castle has one of Europe's and Scotland's most important and impressive formal gardens.
Located in Perthshire near Crieff, it dates back to the 17th Century. The gardens were redesigned and terraced in the 19th Century. The formal gardens there today were replanted in the 1950s but preserve many of the original features; the ancient yew hedges and the remaining beech tree planted by Queen Victoria, commemorating her visit in 1842.
The castle will be open to visitors from Monday, 10 June 2024. The gardens are dog-friendly.
Admission Prices: Adult £10; Child (5-16yrs) £4; Family (2+3) £25. Book online: https://drummondcastlegardens.co.uk/visitor-information/
Dabton House, Dumfries & Galloway
Explore the beautiful gardens of Dabton House, a splendid Georgian country house set on the picturesque Queensberry Estate in Dumfriesshire.
Enjoy a guided garden tour this June, led by Head Gardener, John Candlish, who has dedicated over 40 years to nurturing Dabton's gardens. Visitors will be guided through four acres of formal gardens within 27 acres of mixed woodland, as well as the kitchen garden, heritage vegetable plot and secret garden. Following the tour guests will enjoy refreshments and homemade baking in Dabton House, where they can admire the interior of the house and learn more about its history.
Tour times: Thursday, 6 June, 10am, Tuesday, 11 June, 1pm, Thursday, 13 June, 10am
Ticket price: £25, must be booked online in advance
Kailzie Gardens, Scottish Borders
Kailzie Gardens is a renowned garden and woodland a mile east of Peebles in the Scottish Borders, with 20 acres to explore.
Kailzie Gardens also boasts the popular Courtyard Café that has become a firm favourite with locals. Their seasonal shop offers local produce, gifts and plant sales, as well as a children's nature trail and a chance to have a go on the Gardener's 18-hole putting green, or a game of pétanque.
Opening times: 10am – 4pm (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Admission: Adults £5.00, Concessions £4.00, Children (15 under) free
Note: Dog friendly and free parking
Amisfield Walled Garden, East Lothian
A hidden gem lying on the outskirts of Haddington in East Lothian, Amisfield Walled Garden dates back to the late 18th century and is one of the largest walled gardens in Scotland, with extensive herbaceous borders, fruit and vegetable beds, wildflower meadow, orchard and woodland to explore.
The Garden is currently being restored and developed as a community garden by the Amisfield Preservation Trust and a band of volunteers, providing a venue for education and training for people of all abilities.
Opening times: 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday, and from 10-1pm each Saturday
Admission: Free, donations gratefully received
Note: Well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome
The Japanese Garden at Cowden, Clackmannanshire
Those looking to embrace serenity should look no further than the beautiful grounds of The Japanese Garden at Cowden. The woodlands and gardens are adorned with an array of exceptional plants and flora which are elevated by the tranquil essence of its Japanese-inspired design and structures, creating a unique and utterly authentic bridge between Scottish and Japanese culture.
Numbers in the garden are restricted so that its peaceful atmosphere is not compromised, but despite that, 40,000 people still visit every year. Today Cowden has a team of full-time gardeners, a thriving cafe, and the Stewart Adventure Woodland where children can let off steam.
Admission: £9.25 per person
Opening times: Open 6 days a week (closed on Tuesdays), from 10.30am - 5pm
Note: Please be aware only Guide Dogs are allowed in the Japanese Garden and Christie Walk. However, dogs on leads are very welcome to enjoy the Woodland Walk, Lime Tree Avenue and outside seating areas
This 60-acre site (of which one third is maintained woodland and gardens) is an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Westside of Shetland. Avid wildlife watchers can experience the diversity of Shetland's wildlife as, due to its proximity to the sea and the salt marsh dividing the gardens between the sea, the area is a magnet for nesting and migrating birds.
Wander around and sit on one of the many benches to witness firsthand the fact that Shetland is not a tree-less landscape like many would believe, but instead is an oasis of life, with a surprisingly mild climate, thanks to the North Atlantic Drift which surrounds this captivating location.
Opening times: 7am - 10pm
Admission: Free, donations gratefully received
Note: Well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome
Carolside House & Gardens, Scottish Borders
Carolside is an 18th century mansion set in beautiful parkland flanked by wooded hills, nestling in a bend of the River Leader. Carolside is one of Scotland's finest Private Gardens and is best known for its collection of historic roses, many of them rare today and is home to the National Collection of Gallica Roses.
Opening times: 11am – 5pm each Saturday and Sunday from 1 May – 1 September 2024
Admission: Adult £6.00, Children under 16 and HHA members free
Note: Well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome in the designated park area
Crawick Multiverse, Dumfries & Galloway
Located near Sanquhar and spanning the equivalent of over 36 football pitches, Crawick Multiverse is a unique location of outstanding artistic and historical interest and is not to be missed.
Designed and constructed on the site of a former open-cast coal mine by renowned landscape architect Charles Jencks between 2011 and 2017. Feel the spiritual and astrological magic of the landforms through the striking landscape, opt to have a picnic in the Sun Amphitheatre, photograph the incredible 360 views of the site and Upper Nithsdale Valley from the Northpoint or peer inside the 'cave' of the Omphalos; there's plenty to see and do.
Opening times: Monday to Thursday 10am – 4pm, Friday to Sunday 10am – 6pm
Admission: Adults £7.00, Children (under 16) £4.00, Under 5s Free, Carers Free, Family Tickets
(2 Adults and up to 4 children under 16) £18.00.
Note: Well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome
Unique events in Palaces, Gardens & Castles across Scotland
Visiting Vikings at Dumbarton Castle, 8 – 9 June 2024
Come along to the castle and meet some Viking warriors, find out more about their weapons and invasion techniques. Listen to a Viking saga and discover what life was like for these seafaring Norsemen.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dumbarton-castle/
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Price: Included in admission (Adults £7.50, Concessions £6.00, Children £4.50, Under 7's Free, Family tickets available, free for Historic Scotland Members)
Guardians of Scotland at St Andrews Castle, 9 June 2024
During the first wars of Scottish independence Scotland was in turmoil. Hear the story of one of Scotland's great unsung heroes William de Lamberton, bishop of St Andrews. Meet the bishop as well as some of the nobles and their retinues, as they tell the stories of what life was like in the early 14th century and of the importance St Andrews castle played during that time.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Price: Included in admission (Adult £8.00, Concession £6.00, Children aged 7-15 £6.00, Under 7's Free, Family tickets available, free for Historic Scotland Members)
Midsummer Reflections at Stirling Castle, 9 June 2024
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus is joined by string players from the SCO in an ethereal programme exploring the essence of the higher being from various spiritual angles. Featuring Tarik O'Regan's “The Ecstasies Above” for choir and string quartet, an arrangement of Vaughan-Williams' “The Lark Ascending” for choir and solo violin, and music by John Tavener and Sir James MacMillan. Tickets available on the SCO website (sco.org.uk) from Wednesday 20 March 2024.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/
Time: 8pm, performance 65 mins (no interval)
Price: £20 Adults, £10 People with Disabilities, Carer goes free, £6 those in receipt of Universal Credit/under 26s/students, Free to Unders 18s (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult), Discount tickets subject to availability, 10% off HES Members on all ticket categories
Medieval Weekend at Dirleton Castle, 15 – 16 June 2024
Go back in time and wander through the living history camp to experience what life was like in medieval times.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Price: Included in admission (Adult £3.80, Concession £3.00, Children aged 7-15 £2.30, Under 7's Free, Family tickets available, free for Historic Scotland Members)
Holding the Rock for Scotland at Dumbarton Castle, 23 June 2024
Hear the firing of the musket volleys, watch the clash of swords and relive the Scottish civil wars of the 1600s. Gain an insight into the significance of Dumbarton Castle as a strategic strongpoint during these wars.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Price: Included in admission (Adult £7.50, Concession £6.00, Children aged 7-15 £4.50, Under 7's Free, Family tickets available, free for Historic Scotland Members)
Spectacular Jousting at Linlithgow Palace, 29 - 30 June 2024
Experience exhilarating horsemanship and impressive skills at the brave and courageous knights battle it out. Hear the thundering of hooves and the clash of lances as four champions take to the arena for this spectacular show. Why not wander through the living history camps and meet some soldiers fresh from battle.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/
Time: 11.30am - 4.30pm
Price: Adult £15, Concession £12, Children £9, Family tickets available
Beauty and the Beast at Stirling Castle, 19 July 2024
Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company this summer for a brand-new telling of this classic fairy tale. When an arrogant prince is cursed to live as a hideous beast, his only hope is a kindly young woman in search of a rose. Presented with lively original music and sparkling humour in delightful settings from picturesque gardens to sweeping country parks, Chapterhouse Theatre Company's rollicking new adaptation of Beauty and the Beast is perfect for all the family.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/
Time: 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start
Price: Adult £20, Concession £16, Children (7-15 years) £12, Family tickets available
Spectacular Jousting at Caerlaverock Castle, 27 - 28 July 2024
Experience exhilarating horsemanship and impressive skills at the brave and courageous knights battle it out. Hear the thundering of hooves and the clash of lances as four champions take to the arena for this spectacular show. Why not wander through the living history camps and meet some soldiers fresh from battle.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/
Time: 11am - 4pm
Price: Adult £12, Concession £10, Children £7, Family tickets available
For more information call 0131 668 8885 or email events@hes.scot
For more inspiration, please visit www.visitscotland.com, and for additional garden and event inspiration, be sure to check out www.discoverscottishgardens.org
