Kildrummy Castle will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 1 April, with Corgarff and Tolquhon castles then reopening on Wednesday 2 April, as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) marks the start of its spring/summer season.
Corgarff Castle is a prime example of how castles have had to adjust with the time: formerly a comfortable residence, it was repurposed as a barracks after the Battle of Culloden and remained so for nearly 100 years.
Kildrummy Castle, built in the mid-1200s, features an impressive stone curtain wall and was a political hotspot, guarding the point where Scotland’s northern and southern regions met.
Tolquhon Castle is one of Aberdeenshire’s most picturesque castles, and served as a noble residence for 300 years.
All three sites will be open from 10am – 4:30pm (closed for lunch from 12pm – 1pm) until 30 September. Corgarff and Tolquhon Castles will be open Wednesdays – Sundays, while Kildrummy Castle will be open on weekdays only.
Craig Mearns, Director of Operations at HES, said: “The start of the new visitor season is always exciting. As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to step outside, experience Scotland’s natural beauty and get a closer look at our past. With castles, palaces, priories and brochs all reopening, everyone will find an aspect of Scottish heritage to enjoy.
“These sites are part of Scotland’s history and offer an incredible range of experience and understanding. Our monuments include safe havens for key historical figures, strategic fortresses, Hanoverian munitions factories and sites of ceremonial importance to ancient tribes. Each place tells a unique story, and we look forward to sharing them with people from across the world.”
In Case You Missed it:
Tolquhon Castle – along with other sites in Aberdeenshire – will also be celebrating the onset of warmer weather with family-friendly events such as Easter Eggsplorer Trails.
Visitors can find out more about the seasonal sites reopening in their area on the HES website. Tickets are on sale now, with a discount available for purchasing in advance.
Entry to sites and daytime events is free for Historic Scotland members. Members can also collect History Hunt Cards, a series of seven cards looking at the various types of sites including fortresses, settlements, and towers, when they visit staffed sites. A full set can be exchanged for a pin badge only available through the Hunt. For further information or to become a member visit: alittlehistory.scot
