Cawdor Castle and Gardens

The appeal of Cawdor Castle transcends its shaky literary connections. The castle–which is still home to the descendants of the Clan Campbell of Cawdor–remains remarkably preserved and is surrounded by immaculate gardens, the Cawdor Big Wood, and a nine-hole golf course. Highlights for visitors include the sumptuous Drawing Room, with its fascinating family portraits; the Dining Room, with its grand stone fireplace; the 17th-century-style Tapestry Bedroom; and the Old Kitchen. According to legend, the castle is built around a thorn tree—since identified as a holly dating from 1372—which visitors can still see today in the dungeon.

Many sightseeing tours of the Highlands and Inverness include stops at Cawdor Castle alongside nearby Culloden and the Clava Cairns. If you don’t have your own transportation, a guided tour is your best bet for checking off several attractions in one day, rather than relying on public transportation, which can be time consuming.

• Cawdor Castle is a must-visit for anyone interested in Scottish history and gardens.
• Many sightseeing tours of the area included admission to the castle but check details first.
• The Courtyard Café, located inside the old servants’ quarters, serves light meals and drinks.
• The Castle Giftshop sells Campbell and Cawdor tartan, cashmere blankets, local jams and honey, and whisky from nearby Royal Brackla Distillery.

Cawdor Castle is a 25-minute drive east of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. If coming from Nairn, it’s a 12-minute drive southwest. Directions are well signposted. You can also reach the castle by public transport: take the Stonehaven-bound train from Inverness to Nairn, then get on the #105 bus: the journey takes just over an hour in total.

The castle is only open from spring through fall—typically April to early October (check in advance). During open season it is open every day from mid-morning until early evening (last admission 30 minutes before closing). To avoid crowds, visit on a weekday outside of school holidays (typically July/August).

The wooded area (known as the Big Wood) that surrounds Cawdor Castle offers five walking trails that vary in length from 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) to 5 miles (8 kilometers). A walk along one of those trails takes you past a variety of trees including birch, aspen, rowan, wych elm, juniper, and Scots pine. The Big Wood is also home to more than 130 species of lichen, including a number of very rare varieties thanks to the clean air and low rainfall.