Aberdeen Private Half Day Tour: Dunnottar, Crathes Castles +more
Description
A private guided journey through Aberdeenshire’s castles, landscapes, and history with a knowledgeable local guide. Explore Dunnottar Castle, Crathes Castle plus more in Scotland’s Historic Heartlands. With a private guide, you don’t just see Aberdeenshire—you experience it on a carefully paced private journey designed to help you connect with the places you visit. Dunnottar Castle - One of Scotland’s most iconic castles, dramatically set on an impregnable rocky headland in the sea. Crathes Castle and Gardens - A beautifully preserved 16thC castle on Royal Deeside. Drum Castle – An impressive 14th century historic medieval stronghold. Old Aberdeen - St Machar’s Cathedral (14th century), and King’s College (15th century) offer a glimpse into Scotland’s academic and religious past. Every tour is exclusive to your group only. Most castle grounds are free to visit, but charge for interior tours. Attractions are subject to seasonal opening times and please contact us for details.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit one of Scotland’s most dramatic castle locations, set on a rocky headland above the North Sea. Dunnottar Castle is famous for its coastal views, medieval ruins, and powerful place in Scottish history. Your guide will share the stories behind the castle while giving you time to enjoy the scenery and take photos. The castle is free to see but to go inside costs £13.00 pp.
Explore the beautiful Crathes Castle estate, known for its 16th-century architecture, turrets, painted ceilings, stunning gardens, and a Royal Deeside setting. This stop adds a classic Scottish castle and estate experience to the tour set in the magnificent surroundings of Royal Deeside. Free to see from the outside and £18.00 pp to go inside.
Visit one of Aberdeenshire’s oldest and most historic castles, with links to Robert the Bruce and centuries of Scottish family history dating back to the 14th century, Drum, with its dark history is a "must see" on the castle trail. It's 18th-century gardens, include a rose garden and arboretum containing trees from all regions of the 18th century British Empire. Free to see from outside and interior tours are £18.00 pp.
Discover the historic heart of Old Aberdeen, with ancient streets, university buildings, architecture and a cathedral dating back to the last millennium. This stop gives travellers a deeper look at Aberdeen’s history beyond the castles. Aberdeen University was founded in the 15th century and St Machar's Cathedral has ben a site of worship for 1400 years.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Aberdeen City, Aberdeen train station or from your cruise liner. Accommodation out with Aberdeen City may incur an additional pick up surcharge.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(19)
Malcolm is a fantastic tour guide. It was a very informative history rich experience. Highly recommend.
Hi Phil and it was great to meet you. Enjoy the rest of your time in Scotland and hopefully we will see you back here another time. Malcolm
We had a generational snowstorm this day. The provider contacted us to share concerns about travel - but didn't want to give up. His vehicle was not adequate, so he contacted a colleague to take over with his four-wheel drive. This ensured we got to see everything - and get the most out of the experience vs strictly canceling. Had an awesome (and cold time).
Hi Chad. So glad you enjoyed yourself despite the unusual weather. Hopefully see you another time. Thanks Malcolm
Malcolm is the best! This was a great tour on a very windy day. Because of which, we weren't able to go into one of the castles, but Malcolm adapted and spoke with us about the history in direct view of the castle. We went a little long due to the Crathes Castle guided tour, but Malcolm assured us it was no problem and provided us a great, informative tour. The great thing about folks like Malcolm is that they love their country, are proud of it, and we, as Americans, just soak up the history. Also, like our experience with another guide a few years past, he has an answer to everything so your curiosity is totally rewarded!
Hi it was great to meet you on our windy day. Hopefully we will see you back in Aberdeenshire another time. Malcolm
it was a great tour with an excellent tour guide…i would recommend to others …Dunnottar castle is a must see!!!
Hi. Thanks for that and it was great to meet you and hopefully you will make it back another time. Malcolm
Malcolm was amazing! His knowledge of Scottish history made a huge difference to the tour of castles. He is highly recommended for both the local color he brought and for the way he tailored the tour for us (my husband has difficulty getting around and Malcolm made things so much easier for him which was so appreciated.). Would love to book a multi-day larger tour with him if we return. He is the best - totally dedicated to his guests' experiences.
Hi. It was lovely to meet you and hopefully we will see you back in Aberdeen another time.
Truly amazing trip to Scotland and I would definitely recommend using a local guide to show you the sights around Aberdeen. Malcolm was great and had so many interesting facts and stories to share everywhere we went. My only issue was I wish I could’ve spent more time exploring the countryside and visited more castles. I guess I will just need to visit again.
Malcolm was an amazing tour guide! He had so much knowledge of the castles and history! I would highly recommend him!
Hi Ellen. I was great to meet you and have the opportunity to show you some of Aberdeenshire. Enjoy the rest of your vacation. Thanks Malcolm
Malcolm was just wonderful from the history he taught us to the recommendations he gave us to tour the backroads afterwards. I would definitely tour with him again!
Friendly informative perfect tour. Malcom was a sensational guide Great knowledge of Scotland and its history thank you
Hi. It was great to meet you and I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Scotland.
Our experience with Malcom was incredible. He picked us up from our hotel and took us to 3 castles that we got to choose in advance. He even showed us around Old Aberdeen and dropped us off in the city center an hour after our tour was supposed to have ended! He knows a lot about Scotland and Aberdeen’s history so it was really interesting hearing some of that. Doing a private guided tour I think is the easiest and most enjoyable way to see the castles in the Aberdeen area and I am going to recommend Malcom to anyone who is planning a visit! Thank you so much Malcom for such a memorable experience!!
It was great to meet you guys and hopefully you will make it back to Aberdeen another time. Thanks Malcolm
