Aberdeenshire, Scotland
8m, on the A939, W of, Strathdon AB36 8YP
Telephone 01975 651460
Website www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/corgarff-castle
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
Corgarff is a small tower house set inside a star-shaped defensive wall, preserved to reflect its later use as a government garrison in the years after the 1745 Jacobite rising. It's a modest site by design - reviewers say the scale is part of the appeal, not a shortcoming.
The star-shaped outer wall itself, an unusual defensive layout that sets it apart from the region's other tower houses.
It's a genuine hill climb to reach from the car park at the bottom - around 15 minutes on a grass track - and it's seasonal, so check ahead before a winter visit, as the exterior walk is really all that's available out of season.
Visitors like the unique star-shaped defensive wall and well-preserved tower house, and most find the short uphill walk from the car park manageable and worthwhile for the views and information boards. A couple of reviewers note the castle could do with a freshen-up compared to older photos, there's no gift shop, and dogs aren't allowed inside.
Tower within star-shaped wall; seasonal opening
“Very well preserved Tower house and star shaped defensive wall. It is preserved as a British garrison at the time just after the Jacobite uprising of the '45.”— John Irvine, visitor review