Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust for Scotland
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Craigievar, Alford AB33 8JF
Telephone 01339 883635
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
Craigievar is a pink harled tower house often credited, loosely, as an inspiration for Disney's fairytale castles - reviewers say it was bought in the 17th century by a merchant known as "Danzig Willy" on the profits of Baltic trade, and it stayed lived-in until the 1960s. Interior access is by guided tour only, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Worth the trip
The pink exterior itself and the two spiral staircases inside, one of them a "secret" stair - reviewers say the guided tour brings the family history to life.
Before you go
Tours run first come, first served, so arrive early to guarantee a place, and check the National Trust for Scotland site directly for hours - reviewers warn sat-nav and third-party sites can send you the wrong way. It's only open Easter to October.
Visitors are charmed by Craigievar's distinctive pink stone exterior, often mentioned alongside its rumoured Disney inspiration, and consistently praise the knowledgeable guides on the first-come, first-served guided tour. A small kiosk for coffee and snacks is a nice extra, though the castle is only open seasonally (Easter to October) and tour spaces can mean a bit of a wait.
Pink tower house; interior visits by guided tour
“Lovely looking castle. Did not do the tour as we had our dog with us but did do the woodland walk”— Richard Wardrop, visitor review
Further reading
CubicFun - Neuschwanstein Castle 3D Puzzle (121pc)
Architectural 3D puzzle model, stocked by UK and US retailers.
Find it on AmazonUGears - Hogwarts Castle mechanical wooden model (340pc)
Currently-sold mechanical wooden 3D model kit, 340 parts.
Find it on Amazon
