Cawdor Castle

Cawdor Castle is a beautiful, romantic 14th-century tower house that has been home to the Campbell family for over 600 years. Famed for its fictional connection to Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, it is located in Nairnshire near Inverness and uses the postcode IV12 5RD.

What to Expect and Enjoy

This is a wonderful “living” castle that feels warm and personal because the family still resides here during the winter. It features a real medieval drawbridge, ancient stone vaults, and some of the most glorious gardens in the Highlands.

• The Thorn Tree: Deep down in the ancient stone cellars, you can see the literal trunk of a preserved holly tree from the 1300s. Legend says the castle was built around this exact tree after a donkey laden with gold lay down to rest beneath it!
• The Grand Rooms: Explore the magnificent drawing room with its tapestries, the old kitchen packed with shiny copper pans, and the bedrooms featuring historic four-poster beds.
• The Three Unique Gardens: The castle is surrounded by stunning grounds. You can explore the Walled Garden with its orchards, the Flower Garden with its formal lawns, and the Wild Garden which winds beside a rushing stream under giant, historic trees.
• The Living Forest: Beyond the lawns are miles of beautiful, level nature trails looping through ancient big-tree woodlands, perfect for a relaxing family stroll.

Best For and Time Spent

Perfect for families, couples, garden enthusiasts, and seniors who want a relaxed, high-quality historic visit without massive crowds.

• Duration: Expect to spend between 2 to 3 hours here to fully appreciate the historic rooms, stroll through all three distinct gardens, and explore the forest tracks.
• Tone: Charming, elegant, and peaceful. The blend of real medieval history with soft, fragrant flower gardens creates a lovely, relaxing vibe.

Helpful Tips for Your Visit

• Parking: There is a spacious car park on-site that is completely free for all castle visitors.
• Food & Drink: The castle features a lovely restaurant in the old courtyard serving delicious lunches and fresh scones, plus a charming snack kiosk near the gardens.
• Savings: Purchasing a combined ticket for the castle and gardens offers fantastic value. Keep an eye out for seasonal family ticket deals online.
• Season: The castle and its formal gardens are open daily from the end of April through to the beginning of October.

Nearby and Combine-able Hits

Cawdor Castle is ideally located just a short drive from Inverness. It makes a brilliant combination with a monster-hunting trip down to Loch Ness, or you can head west to enjoy a premium tasting and sensory experience at the modern Glen Ord Distillery.