Top 3 Castles around Mearns

The Mearns region offers a diverse range of castles. You can visit the dramatic clifftop ruins of Dunnottar Castle, known for its rich history and stunning views. For a more traditional experience with beautiful gardens, Crathes Castle & Gardens is an excellent choice. Edzell Castle and Gardens offers expansive ruins and tranquil grounds. Additionally, Mearns Castle in Newton Mearns is a unique 15th-century tower house, now part of a church, which can be appreciated from its impressive exterior.

Yes, several castles in the Mearns area are great for families. Crathes Castle & Gardens is particularly family-friendly, offering interesting guided tours, beautiful gardens, and a large loop around the estate for walks. Edzell Castle and Gardens also welcomes families to explore its ruins and tranquil gardens.

Dunnottar Castle is one of Scotland's most historically significant castles. It has hosted figures like William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots. Most famously, it played a crucial role in safeguarding the Scottish Crown Jewels from Oliver Cromwell's army in the 17th century. The ruins largely date from the 15th and 16th centuries, though fortifications existed much earlier.

Accessibility varies by castle. Dunnottar Castle, while breathtaking, can be challenging due to its dramatic clifftop location, involving steep stairs and uneven paths. For easier access, viewpoints like View of Dunnottar Castle offer incredible frontal views with a short walk from a parking area. Crathes Castle & Gardens and Edzell Castle and Gardens generally offer more accessible grounds and facilities.

Absolutely! There are several excellent viewpoints that offer spectacular frontal views of Dunnottar Castle. The View of Dunnottar Castle highlight is easily reachable within a 5-minute walk from a parking area, and an observation platform is available free of charge. Another View of Dunnottar Castle offers a beautiful hiking trail for a different perspective, though sturdy shoes are recommended.

The Mearns region offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, including challenging touring bicycle routes like the 'Saint Palladius Church loop from Auchenblae' or road cycling routes such as the 'Cairn o' Mount, Stonehaven & Johnshaven loop from Laurencekirk'. For hikers, there are easy trails like the 'Rocks of Solitude – Doulie Tower loop from Gannochy'. You can explore more options on the Cycling around Mearns, Road Cycling Routes around Mearns, and Easy hikes around Mearns guide pages.

The best time to visit castles in Mearns largely depends on your preference. Summer months (June to August) offer the warmest weather and longest daylight hours, ideal for exploring ruins like Dunnottar Castle and enjoying castle gardens. However, these are also the busiest months. Spring and autumn provide cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and beautiful scenery, especially around Crathes Castle & Gardens. Winter visits can be dramatic, particularly at Dunnottar, but require appropriate warm and waterproof clothing due to potentially harsh weather conditions.

Yes, some castles offer facilities. Crathes Castle & Gardens has a nice tearoom on site. Edzell Castle and Gardens includes a visitor centre with parking and toilets. While Dunnottar Castle itself is a ruin, the nearby town of Stonehaven offers various cafes and amenities.

Mearns Castle is a 15th-century tower house that has been uniquely converted to link two Church of Scotland buildings, forming part of the Maxwell Mearns Castle Church. While access to the interior is not permitted as it is a private, occupied tower, visitors can appreciate its impressive exterior and historical significance as a well-preserved structure. You can find more historical details about it on Wikipedia.

Visitors frequently praise the dramatic setting and rich history of Dunnottar Castle, often describing it as 'truly impressive' and 'amazing inside' with 'incredible coastal views'. For Crathes Castle & Gardens, the 'beautiful gardens' and 'interesting guided tours' are highlights, along with the woodland trails for running. The 'tranquil gardens' and 'large ruin to explore' are often mentioned for Edzell Castle and Gardens.