Cawdor castle - Go to Scotland.com

Cawdor Castle is one of Scotland’s most enchanting and historically significant castles. Located in the village of Cawdor, in the Highlands of Scotland, the castle has a rich and varied history spanning several centuries. It is a magnificent building of breathtaking beauty, with its iconic tower, grand banqueting hall and manicured gardens. A visit to Cawdor Castle is a journey through time, with each room and corridor telling its own story. From its medieval origins as the fortress of the Thanes of Cawdor to its modern function as a hotel, Cawdor Castle is a treasure trove of history and beauty! A must-see!

History of Cawdor Castle

One of the oldest castles in Scotland!

Cawdor Castle is one of the oldest castles in Scotland.

It was built in 1390 by Clan MacDuff, then Earl of the Kingdom of Scotland, as a fortress and seat of power.

It was named Cawdor after the village in which it was built. At the time, the castle stood close to the English border, and was a true symbol of power for the MacDuff clan.

Built as a defensive fortress, the site served for several centuries as a lookout post for potential invaders.

In those days, the original Cawdor Castle was a smaller, more modest building compared to today’s Cawdor Castle. The medieval castle was built as a tall tower, with a few smaller buildings surrounding it. It was surrounded by a moat and protected by a wooden palisade.

However, around 1450, the MacDuff clan lost its power and was forced to abandon the castle. It wasn’t until the 1760s, almost 300 years later, that the castle was once again inhabited, this time by Colonel Hugh Fraser in 1760, who built the present castle from the ruins of the medieval castle. Colonel Fraser was a soldier and diplomat who owned the castle until his death in 1786.

Visit Cawdor Castle

Architecture and design of Cawdor Castle

Cawdor Castle is open to tourists all year round, and also serves as a hotel (with 55 rooms) and wedding venue.

During the summer months, the castle is open every day, with extended hours in July and August, when the castle is open until 9 pm.

Cawdor Castle is located on the A862 between Inverness and Nairn.

If you’d like to visit, be sure to admire its remarkable architecture. Today’s Cawdor Castle dates back to the 18th century, and is much larger than the original structure. It boasts a more imposing building, as well as wooded gardens.

Inside, the rooms are luxuriously and tastefully decorated, always in keeping with medieval history.

Structurally, Cawdor Castle is rectangular in shape, with a three-storey tower in the south-west corner. The entire building is surrounded by gardens and outbuildings, and has a large, manicured lawn to the front. The building also had a wooden roof, which was later replaced by a slate roof.

The castle today

Today, the castle is no longer a fortress or a seat of power, but a hotel, welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Owned by the Hutton-Crawley family since 1919, the castle became a hotel in the 1970s. The family have worked hard to preserve the beauty of the building, while modernizing the interior to meet the needs of their clientele.

Visitors to Cawdor Castle can stay in luxurious bedrooms, enjoy fine Scottish cuisine in the banqueting hall and take advantage of the magnificent gardens and grounds.

The castle also hosts several events each year, including Highland Games and music festivals.

Castle gardens

The gardens of Cawdor Castle were added to the castle in the 18th century, when Colonel Fraser built the present castle.

Fraser built a rather grand garden, with smooth lawns, beautiful flower beds and ornamental ponds with fountains. The gardens have been maintained ever since, and are still a very popular attraction at the castle.

They are open to the public all year round and are very popular with visitors, especially during the summer months when the flowers are in full bloom. The most striking feature of the gardens is the ornamental pond, which contains numerous goldfish and a few turtles.

Events at Cawdor Castle

The Highland games playground

Cawdor Castle hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, as well as being a popular wedding venue. Every June, the castle hosts the Highland Games, featuring traditional Highland sports and competitions, as well as a concert.

In July, Cawdor Castle also hosts a jazz and blues festival, with musicians from all over the world coming to play for visitors.

Cawdor Castle is also a popular wedding venue, boasting beautiful gardens and a large banqueting hall. Couples can choose their preferred style of wedding and hold it at the castle, surrounded by a building that is both historic and modern.Cawdor Castle is one of Scotland’s oldest castles. Now converted into a hotel, it remains open to the public for an unforgettable visit!