As we swept through Aberdeenshire, the remarkable countryside unravelled before us: rolling hills dotted with standing stones and stone circles, homely estates and fairytale castles, quiet villages, and dramatic coastal ruins dominated the landscape. The land we explored had been home to many before us; the mysterious Pictish people, warriors, monks, nobles and royalty. Today, it’s the Highland home of the Royal Family, who trade London for Royal Deeside for a spot of fishing, nature and fresh air. Over the centuries, Aberdeenshire has attracted many important people, keen to display their wealth in the form of elaborately designed castles and towers. Many of the best castles reside in Aberdeenshire, and this summer, I was lucky enough to explore them with Rabbie’s on their new 4-day Scottish Castles Experience. Read on for why I believe this to be the best Scotland castles tour, and why you should explore Scotland’s castle country with Rabbie’s.
It’s well-known among locals that Aberdeenshire is home not only to the highest number of castles in Scotland, but some of the best ones too. The Scottish Castles Experience with Rabbie’s takes you to six of Scotland’s most beautiful castles and palaces in this area, as well as exploring other gems in Moray Speyside, Perthshire and Fife. There’s also so much more to this tour than just castles!
You will journey through the land of the ancient tribe of the Picts, a mysterious bunch who decorated themselves with blue paint and carved their stories into stone, many of which you can still see today. You’ll also experience some of Scotland’s best food and drink, including a whisky distillery pioneered by a woman. You will also have free time to explore Scotland’s granite city of Aberdeen, and you’ll visit quaint villages and coastal towns on more than one occasion.
This tour is a fantastic introduction to all that Scotland has to offer- the real Scotland, not the hyped-up, over-commercialised route that most tourists follow. Getting off the beaten path is one of my top tips for visiting Scotland- but if you don’t want to drive, or would prefer a group tour option that takes you to all the sights, then this tour is my top recommendation!
THE DETAILS
📍 Departs from Edinburgh
🕔 4 days
💲 From £325 pp
👉 Click here to book – save 10% off this tour with WAYFARING10
4-Day Scotland Castles Tour with Rabbie’s
Castle Fraser
Booking accommodation for the tour
Glen Lyon Lodge, Nairn
All multi-day tours require you to book accommodation for when you are away (please note accommodation isn’t required for day trips). I booked my accommodation via the Reserved By Rabbie’s service. They have a lot of connections with local hotels and B&Bs, and can find accommodation for you based on your requirements at a great price.
Simply tell them your room preferences (e.g., single, double, or twin) and any special requirements, like ground-floor rooms or dietary needs, when booking your tour. Their team will find suitable accommodations based on your preferences and availability. In most cases, you’ll pay your hosts directly upon arrival (some may require cash). Where pre-payment prior to arrival is required we will let you know during checkout.
While in Aberdeen, I stayed at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel, which was located perfectly in the city centre and within walking distance to shops, restaurants and bars. The hotel also came with breakfast included, and had its own restaurant, Molly’s Bistro.
In Nairn, I stayed in a gorgeous bed and breakfast- Glen Lyon Lodge. Again, it was central to the town centre, and had everything I needed, from a luxuriously comfortable double bed, to a home-cooked breakfast the next morning.
Note: Rabbie’s cannot book specific properties for individual customers. If you have a particular property in mind, you’ll need to book it yourself and it needs to be within the 1.2-mile pick-up point.
Day 1: Falkland Palace and Dunnottar Castle
This tour departs from the Edinburgh bus station, located in the city centre. Checking in for my tour was easy- I was sure to arrive 15 minutes before departure, and I introduced myself to one of the customer service reps. They told me the name of my driver and to wait until my tour was announced for boarding.
Our tour guide was Bruce, a Scotsman who was passionate about Scottish history (he had a degree specialising in it!). After some quick introductions and safety information, we were on the road and driving towards our first stop of the day: the Forth Bridges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These three iconic bridges are: the Forth Road Bridge, the Queensferry Crossing, and the Forth Bridge. Each was built in a different century, and for 28 years, the iconic red cantilever Forth Bridge held the record as the world’s longest span. Around 200 trains cross the Forth Bridge each day!
It’s a Scottish icon, and impressive even if you aren’t massively into architecture.
The Forth Bridge
The Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Road Bridge
We then crossed over to Fife via the Queensferry Crossing, heading towards the bonnie wee village of Falkland. One of the most well-known Outlander scenes was shot here, as Falkland played the part of Inverness in the very first episode!
We had time to explore the village before touring Falkland Palace– a former holiday home for the Scottish monarchs. Little did I know that it’s also home to the world’s oldest tennis court!
Falkland Palace was built by James IV and James V; the latter uttered his last breath here after his loss at the Battle of Solway Moss. After the birth of his daughter, the future Mary Queen of Scots, he was said to have muttered the infamous line ‘’It cam wi’ a lass and it will gang wi’ a lass’’ right here in this palace.
Falkland Palace
The King’s bedchamber at Falkland Palace
Next, we stopped in St Andrews for a quick look at The Old Course, some free time and lunch. I went for a quick stroll around the town, grabbing something to eat at The Dunvegan Hotel– a casual golf-themed pub and the place to eat if you’re a golf enthusiast! I highly recommend The Hole In One burger- it’s one of the best burgers I’ve had in Scotland
Our final activity of the day was visiting the dramatic cliffside ruin, Dunnottar Castle. Located in Stonehaven, Dunnottar Castle is arguably one of the most famous castles in Scotland with a colourful history.
Dunnottar Castle
William Wallace once captured Dunnottar Castle from the English. The English garrison took refuge in the church, and Wallace set fire to it, killing them all and destroying the castle.
During the 17th century, a small garrison held out against Oliver Cromwell (who was Lord Protector of England) and his army for eight months and saved the Scottish Crown Jewels from destruction. The jewels had been lowered down the cliffs to a local woman pretending to be collecting seaweed, who escaped with the crown jewels safely intact.
We were treated to the most magnificent rainbow as we were leaving- one of the perks of the Scottish rain!
Read my review: Scottish Highlands 1-Day tour from Edinburgh with Rabbie’s
Aberdeen – 2 nights in the Granite City
Dinner at Ninety-Nine and cocktails at The Tippling House
We spent the first two nights of our tour in Aberdeen– known as the Granite City for its grey stone buildings. Aberdeen has some great restaurants, pubs and cocktail bars. Here are my recommendations in the city centre:
- Ninety-Nine – a stylish wee bar and restaurant serving some of the best pasta I’ve tasted and delicious cocktails
- The Tippling House – an atmospheric cellar bar that serves amazing cocktails that are well-priced
- Molly’s Bistro – located at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel, and great if you want a quick, easy dinner
- Ma Cameron’s – a former coaching inn with snugs and a rooftop beer garden serving cask ales and traditional pub food
- Slains – a bit touristy but fun, it’s a pub in a former Gothic church with a Dracula-themed interior
Day 2: Castle Fraser and Crathes Castle
Castle Fraser is my favourite castle to photograph- it’s just so bonnie! It is one of the largest tower houses in Scotland, and the views from the top of the round tower are incredible.
We had early entry to the castle, thanks to Rabbies, and we were given time to explore at our own pace. Castle Fraser doesn’t have the most dramatic history that other Scottish castles do, but it’s a beautiful castle to visit and the grounds are lovely- especially the walled garden which features specimen trees, herbaceous borders and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
Unfortunately, Castle Fraser has no real connection with Outlander, but there is Outlander memorabilia for sale in the gift shop.
Castle Fraser
The Walled Garden and inside Castle Fraser
Crathes Castle, on the other hand, has an incredibly fascinating history. Home to the Burnett family for over 350 years, the land was gifted to them by Robert the Bruce. You can also see the Horn of Leys inside the castle, which was a gift from Robert the Bruce to the Burnetts, thus bestowing the land to them.
Inside the castle, you’ll discover the many painted ceilings. They are an incredible sight, with bible verses painted on many of the beams.
Crathes Castle also has a stunning walled garden, and nearby evidence of prehistoric people from the Mesolithic era has been discovered! The world’s second-oldest lunar calendar was discovered in the Warren field, a short walk from the castle.
Crathes Castle
Day 3: Fyvie Castle, Culloden and Clava Cairns
Fyvie Castle
Fyvie Castle is one of my all-time favourite castles, and I’m SO excited it’s included in this tour! In its 800-year history, Fyvie has passed through the hands of five families, each adding a tower to the castle.
The interior of the castle is spectacular, and exactly what you would expect to see when walking into a Scottish castle.
Fyvie is also one of the most haunted castles in Scotland- I love a ghost story, and you’ll hear a few tales on the guided tour.
My favourite story was the tale of Lilias Drummond. Her husband, Alexander Seaton, locked her in the tower and starved her to death for not giving him a son (they had several daughters). When Alexander remarried, on his wedding night, he woke to a scratching sound outside his windowsill. The next morning, he discovered ‘LILIAS DRUMMOND’ had been etched into the windowsill!
We stopped in Elgin for lunch (where I enjoyed a delicious Sunday roast at The Drouthy Cobbler) and in the afternoon we headed to Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns.
A walk around the haunting Culloden Battlefield was fitting after a visit to Fyvie Castle- I’ll never tire of visiting Culloden, and it’s one of my must-visit places for everyone visiting Scotland. Culloden Moor is where the Jacobite Rising came to its traumatic end. You can learn about the lead-up to the battle and the battle itself at the Visitor Centre located next to the battlefield. There’s even an interactive section where you can fully immerse yourself in the battle!
After exploring the visitor centre, you can go and explore the battlefield. There are several headstones dedicated to the fallen clans, including one for Clan Fraser.
I was also surprised to see three Highland cows grazing in a field next to the battlefield!
Our final activity of the day was a visit to Clava Cairns.
The Clava Cairns are a Bronze Age burial site, dating back around 4,000 years. This atmospheric place is dotted with standing stones and burial cairns, and provides fascinating insights into Bronze Age society.
What you can see today is just part of what was once a much larger complex. Two areas are open for exploration: Balnuaran of Clava and Milton of Clava. These sites feature an incredible mix of prehistoric burial monuments and even the remains of a medieval chapel.
Clava Cairns
That evening, we spent the night in Nairn; I ate at The Classroom for dinner and I highly recommend it!
Day 4: Cardu Distillery and Blair Castle
Cardhu Distillery
On our final day, we toured Cardhu Distillery, the Speyside home of Johnnie Walker. I was delighted to discover that Cardhu was founded by a woman whose determination made it one of the most important distilleries in Scotland today.
On this tour, you will learn the story of how Helen Cumming built the distillery in 1824, before being shown around the distillery and learning how whisky is made. The highlight of this visit was the tasting at the end, where we sampled three Cardhu whiskies and a Johnnie Walker cocktail.
Blair Castle
Our final castle on the tour was Blair Castle– a 900-year-old white Scottish baronial castle set within 220 acres of gardens, forests, and farmland. I have a personal connection with this castle- my ancestor was the assistant gardener here in the 19th century! The gardens are still glorious to this day, especially at this time of the year. The Haggis also has an ancestor who worked here, as the 7th Duke of Atholl’s private piper!
Blair Castle
Summary
I experienced a lot in just four days- and yet the tour didn’t feel rushed. I had time to explore, have sit-down meals for lunch, and also fit some shopping in. It was also nice not to worry about driving (an excellent excuse to have a glass of fizz with lunch!)
There was a little bit of everything in this tour- castles, palaces, ruins, whisky, history, a city, towns and villages – you could come to Scotland and do this tour alone, and feel like you’ve checked every box.
Another highlight was that, even in the busy summer month of June, I was able to walk in and get a table for lunch and dinner, no matter where I was. Aberdeenshire is off the beaten path, so if you’d like to see the real, everyday, local Scotland, it’s a great area to visit.
Save 10% on this tour with the code WAYFARING10
10 Reasons I love Rabbie’s tours
✅ Award-winning, small group tours (maximum of 16)
✅ Modern and comfortable vans
✅ Excellent guides who are passionate about Scotland’s history
✅ Explore more, in less time
✅ Easy-going pace
✅ Plenty of free time
✅ You’ll explore both the must-sees and hidden gems of Scotland
✅ Enjoy a dram (or two) without the worry of driving afterwards
✅ Excellent customer service and reviews
Do you have a question about this tour, or travelling with Rabbie’s?
This email was sponsored by Rabbies. All words, opinions and photographs are entirely my own.
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