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Kildrummy Castle was once one of Scotland’s most magnificent castles. Today, visitors can explore the castle’s ruins, such as the chapel's remains that include three lancet windows. Visitors can also see the Elphinstone Tower, the Warden Tower, the Great Hall, and much of the castle foundations.
Visiting Kildrummy Castle
Parking
Kildrummy Castle has its own parking site a short walk from the ruins. Parking is free if you buy a ticket to visit the site.
Price
An adult ticket is £6.00 while a children’s access is £3.60.
Opening
The Kildrummy Castle site is open from the 1st of April to the 30th of September of each year from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. The last entry is at 5:00 pm, but you should get there earlier to ensure you have plenty of time to explore. From 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, the site is closed for lunch.
It is essential to review HistoricEnvironment.scot to check for any unexpected closures before planning a visit.
Tours
Visitors can find an ‘Explorer Quest’ on HistoricEnvironment.scot, which acts as a virtual tour. There are also information books available at the visitor’s centre, which can be found at the site entrance. These will allow you to conduct a self-guided tour through the site.
To better understand Kildrummy Castle’s original structure, check out the reconstructed models in the visitor’s centre. Kildrummy Castle was shield-shaped in design, with several watchtowers surrounding the main castle building. A dry moat and a ravine also protected the castle.
Location and Access
Kildrummy Castle is located in Kildrummy, Aberdeenshire, approximately a ten-minute walk from the visitor centre up a small inclined gravel path.
Know Before You Go
- Young Scot Card Holders may be able to avail of a special discount when visiting Kildrummy Castle.
- Assistance dogs are allowed in all areas of Kildrummy Castle.
- Visitors’ dogs are allowed on the castle grounds, but not in the roofed areas. Areas where dogs are not allowed include the chapel, the bakehouse, and the grand hall.
- The visitor’s centre has step-free access.
History of Kildrummy Castle
Kildrummy Castle was built in the mid 13th century by the Earl of Mar. Over several centuries, it continued to be passed down through the Mar family. It was abandoned in the early 18th century but was restored in the late 19th century by new owners. Today, Kildrummy Castle is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
(Time Line)
-1250 (Beginning of Construction)
Kildrummy Castle was built upon the site of a smaller fortification. William, the Earl of Mar and Chamberlain of Scotland, commissioned the development in the mid 13th century.
The castle's construction was strategic as it had access to some of the most critical trade and travel routes in north-eastern Scotland.
-1296 (Visits from Royalty)
The next event of significance of Kildrummy Castle was in 1296 when Edward I visited. He also visited in 1303. Some historians believe that Edward I’s stonemason helped develop Kildrummy Castle’s twin-towered gatehouse, as it is similar to the gatehouse at Harlech castle.
-1306 (Castle Set on Fire)
In 1306, England was at war with Scotland as Robert the Bruce had declared himself King of Scotland. He was supported by the Earls of Mar, who sheltered Robert the Bruce’s queen, daughter, and brother.
Robert Bruce’s brother, Sir Neil Bruce, was commandeering Kildrummy Castle when the castle’s blacksmith betrayed him to the English forces and set it on fire. For some time, the castle was abandoned.
-1335 (Repairs)
After the fire, the Bruce family regained control of Kildrummy Castle and repaired the damage caused by the fire.
-1347 (Stewart Seizes the Castle)
Alexander Stewart, an illegitimate son of the Earl of Buchan, captured Kildrummy Castle and forced the castle’s heiress — Isabella Douglas, the Countess of Mar — to marry him. He, therefore, forcibly became the next Earl of Mar.
-1357 (More Attacks)
Soon, Kildrummy Castle was attacked again by King David II, who was King of Scotland. The attack was successful, and Kildrummy Castle passed into the Scottish monarch’s control.
-1435 (Annexation of the Castle)
King James I annexed Kildrummy Castle in 1435. When Kildrumy castle was under the Scottish monarch's control, it was further fortified and improved, including the addition of a strong barbican (a fortified outpost).
-1507 (Taken Over by the Elphinstone Family)
In 1507, the reigning monarch James IV gifted Kildrummy Castle to Lord Alexander Elphinstone. In return, Lord Elphinstone promised that he would provide the King with men from his army if the King went to war.
The Elphinstone family made several improvements to Kildrummy Castle, including adding the Elphinstone Tower, which still stands today.
-1626 (Given to the Earls of Mar)
In 1626, the Earls of Mar were back in favour, and the castle was returned.
-1655 (Poem About Kildrummy)
Arthur Forbes wrote an epic poem about Kildrummy Castle and the surrounding area before it was attacked. Historians refer to this poem to gain a deeper understanding of what Kildrummy Castle was like. Forbes described turrets, several towers, and a spectacular frame.
-1670 (Attack by the Jacobites)
During the Jacobite uprising of 1670, the Jacobites captured Kildrummy Castle and damaged several parts of the structure.
The Castle then passed into the control of the Erskine family.
-1715 (the castle is abandoned)
In 1715, the 23rd Earl of Mar, John Erskine, launched another Jacobite Uprising from Kildrummy Castle. However, this uprising failed, and he and the castle’s occupants fled to France.
Kildrummy Castle was abandoned and fell into a period of decline.
-1805 (Collapse of Snow Tower)
Kildrummy Castle became a stone quarry site in the years that it was abandoned. As a result of excessive quarrying, Snow Tower collapsed in 1805.
However, the remains of Snow Tower indicate that it may have been a residential area.
-1898 (New Ownership)
In 1898, Colonel James Ogston bought Kildrummy Castle and began to restore parts of it. Upon his death, Kildrummy Castle passed on to his family, who placed the castle in the care of Historic Environment Scotland in 1951.
-1951 (Archaeological Excavations Carried Out)
Historic Environment Scotland began excavating the castle in 1951. They found a variety of artefacts, including door handles, animal bones, window fragments, and pottery fragments.
-1981 - 1997 (Scottish Sculpture Open)
For several years, Kildrummy Castle was the venue for the Scottish Sculpture Workshop. During this workshop, a range of artists sculpted and displayed their work on the Kildrummy Castle site.
Kildrummy Castle Occupants
- 13th century - Mid 14th century: Occupied by several generations of the Earls of Mar.
- Mid 14th century: Attacked by Scottish royalty and passes into their possession (under Scottish monarch control).
- Mid 17th - Mid 18th century: Occupied by the Erskine family until they fled to France.
- 19th century: Abandoned and acted as a quarry for stone.
- Late 19th century: Bought by Colonel James Ogston.
- 20th century - Present: Cared for by the Historic Environment Scotland.
Images of Kildrummy Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Kildrummy Castle Q&A
What Kind of Castle Is Kildrummy Castle?
While large parts of Kildrummy are still in ruins today, the castle remains an important example of a thirteenth-century courtyard castle.
What Was the Primary Use of Kildrummy Castle?
Kildrummy Castle was in a strategic location as it guarded the route against Southern Scotland into Moray and Buchanan. As a result, Kildrummy Castle was occupied and protected by the Scottish monarchy and nobility for centuries. It was deserted at the beginning of the 18th century and then was used as a stone quarry.
What Is Kildrummy Castle Used for Today?
Today, Kildrummy Castle is under the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is open to visitors.
Are There Other Areas of Interest Around Kildrummy Castle?
If you’re planning a visit to Kildrummy Castle, you may consider visiting Glenbuchat Castle, which is 4 miles (6.44 kilometres) away. Some of the stones used to construct Glenbuchat Castle were quarried from Kildrummy Castle.
Location of Kildrummy Castle
Kildrummy Castle sits on top of a raised hill in the foothills of the towering Grampians mountains near Kildrummy Town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
It can be accessed by car through the National Cycle Network routes and by public transport using Traveline Scotland.