PLACE REVIEW: URQUHART CASTLE

URQUHART CASTLE

Photo by Rachel Nigh

WHAT TO LOOK FOR AT THE SITE AND WHO ITS SUITED FOR:
Urquhart, sitting on the banks of Loch Ness, is one of the most magical sites we've been to and we highly recommend you getting there at least once during your Aberdeen stint. It has fairly large parking lots and isn't too steep to get down to. Included in your ticket is the chance to view a short 8 minute film about the castle's history. As far as kids go, this place has both great areas to let them explore and also places to hold tight to their hands. Half the ruins are on slanting slopes down to Loch Ness and the stairs in the tower house are incredibly steep. That being said, this is one of our most favorite places to have visited so far and it is a must for anyone looking for that ultimate Scotland feeling. Loch Ness is beautiful and misty and was helped on our trip by the drizzling rain, which made it feel even more enchanted.

GIFT SHOP / TEA ROOM / RESTAURANT / TOILET AVAILABILITY:
There is, as you might imagine, a restaurant, toilets, and a gift shop.

SITES AFFILIATIONS AND COSTS:
Urquhart is part of Historic Scotland.
Non members pay: Adult £7.00, Child £4.20, Concession £5.60

OPENING TIMES:
April 1st through September 30th all week 9:30-6pm
October 1st through October 31st all week 9:30-5pm
November 1st through March 31st all week 9:30-4:30pm
(And watch out because most sites have their last entry time 45 minutes before closing)

LOCATION / TIME IT TAKES TO GET THERE:
Take the A96 up to the north and it ends up being just over three hours to Urquhart. You can stop in Elgin at just over the halfway mark to have lunch and see Elgin Cathedral, a beautiful ruined site also belonging to Historic Scotland.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit the Urquhart page on Historic Scotland here.

PLACES TO VISIT NEARBY:
Fort George, also under the Historic Scotland banner.