A friend and I specifically went up to Aberdeenshire to visit the National Trust for Scotland's castles. Crathes Castle is located close to two other castles, Drum and Craigievar, and its opening hours are more generous than other properties. The gardens must be spectacular when in season. We went in early spring on a very damp day, so not its... More

Crathes has a beautiful walled garden, with something worth seeing whatever the season. The gold garden is especially dazzling. You pay separately for the castle, the garden, and the Go Ape rope- and tree-climbing experience (which I've never done - though my pensioner mother, and various younger relatives, have!). I'm not so struck by the castle - it's worth going... More

It's a nice enough place and all the staff were great but in view of the fact it (unbelievably) costs more to visit than Holyrood Palace I would not go back. I love historical places but generally I felt this was rather lacking. They could also do more interms of preservation. They still have 100+ year old carperts from Iran... More

Crathes castle was one of the stops on our tour of Highland castles but in retrospective I would bar it from the list. I have the utmost respect for the people of the Scottish National Trust who are doing a wonderful job in keeping this estate in perfect condition. That being said, in my view this castle doesn’t stand out... More

My husband and I are no strangers to Castles, having visited the German Rhine and Mosel rivers several times. Our friends, Chris & Peter, were faultless hosts, they said there were literally dozens of Castles in Northern Scotland from which to pick, many with a rather hefty (19 pounds-including-garden ) entrance fee. From the moment we set foot on the... More

Crathes Castle is amazing! It is a beautiful castle surrounded by the most gorgeous gardens. I have been there in different seasons, and it is always incredibly gorgeous. This time I was with first-time visitors, and they were blown away by the entire property. We had a delicious lunch in the restaurant - home grown Crathes tatties - and also... More

As the previous reviewers have mentioned, the cafe is quite appalling. The food is lovely, and the surroundings are beautiful, but the service in the cafe is inexcusable. The apathetic staff seemed to be oblivious to the customers waiting, and as soon as they could, they disappeared leaving tables uncleared, floors dirty, and customers leaving trays of dirty dishes on... More

Crathes is a beautiful castle set in lovely surroundings. It should be a delight to visit - HOWEVER - do not use the cafe or need to go to the toilet. Cafe is badly run - it seems to be staffed by youngsters who look like they would like to be absolutely anywhere else than there. Unfriendly, unhelpful and seemed... More

I was at crathes castle today and the service in the cafe was woeful. the two people serving didnt seem to have a clue what they were doing and there was a long queue constantly. we just decided to leave and eat elsewhere. the only male toilet available in the cafe was a disabled one as the regular toilets were... More