Castle Menzies
Castle Menzies
4.5
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
About
Our 16th-century 'Z-plan' castle is a unique building with an exciting history: occupied by Cromwell's forces in the 1650s, captured by the Jacobites in 1715, and visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie for two nights during 1746 on his way to Culloden, before it was seized by Hanoverian forces. The Castle was the seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years. Situated in a strategic location, it was involved in much of the turbulent history of the Highlands. Castle Menzies is a spectacular sixteenth century Scottish castle, restored during the twentieth century by the Menzies Clan Society. Architecturally fascinating, it is a splendid Renaissance example of the transition in Scottish castles from earlier rugged Highland fortresses to later mansion houses. Many of the Castle's rooms remain intentionally unfurnished to allow a better understanding of the structure and fabric of the building, which our visitors greatly appreciate. This is not a plushly furnished family home. Rescued as a ruin in 1957 by the then recently re-formed Menzies Clan Society, the Castle has been lovingly restored from dereliction by generations of Society members and was placed into a charitable trust in 1993. It is open to all as a visitor attraction, museum, Clan centre for the Menzies Clan and venue for weddings, concerts and other hire. All proceeds are exclusively used for the continued restoration and maintenance of the Castle, its Walled Garden and the Old Kirk of Weem.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • Suzanne
    8 contributions
    What a way to spend a morning
    Fantastic wa der through the history of this rescued castle. Being able to touch walls and open doors (most of them) was such an immersive experience compared to other castles making it that little bit more special. Welcoming staff, lovely grounds and personal effects provided by the Menzies Trust made our visit.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 May 2023
  • r2uzenblot
    180 contributions
    Greatly anticipated however....
    We were looking forward to a good morning out and a spot of lunch but..... Unfortunately the coffee room was no longer open. So that cut our visit short and the walled garden was a bit of a disappointment so it cut the visit even shorter. However the castle was quite interesting and showed how you could sit on the fence during the Scottish Wars with the English. Nice location and well kept but not just not enough of an attraction to make it anything more than a passing visit.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 July 2023
  • Ian L
    Perth, Australia533 contributions
    Lots and lots of interesting rooms on different floors. And half floors…
    Interesting relatively new castle with unusual architecture. The descendants are keen to keep the place open to the public while preserving its heritage and character. Will always need more care and efforts to keep it going, but it’s a really interesting hike to investigate inside. Very reasonable entry fee (£10/adult at the time of our visit) and the history explained throughout the castle is well worth a look.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 10 July 2023
  • AlexTrish
    York, United Kingdom8 contributions
    Great for a short visit. And more to it than at first glance...
    Popped in here for a flying visit before returning home. The Castle building itself looks unassuming, but there were plenty of gems to be found inside, not least of which was the very cheerful young lady on the front desk (Steph?). There's still plenty of renovation going on, but delve a little deeper and the story broadens quickly. Here be links to Rob Roy, the Black Watch, Bonnie Prince Charlie and an Indian chap favoured by the Victorian royals. Can't remember the chap's name, but d'you know what, this place is still worth a visit, and shouldn't take more than a few hours out of your day. We didn't visit the beautiful walled garden, but that's our ready-made excuse to go back if we get the chance to.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 July 2023
  • Al S
    Austin, Texas361 contributions
    A real Castle , dont miss it
    There are lots of rooms you can access with very interesting artefacts and information in them all - and a wee tearoom as well. This castle is the real deal and well a visit. I would rate it amongst the best I have visited - and that's alot. Staff were great as well.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 25 July 2023
  • Stuart W
    Rousay, United Kingdom226 contributions
    Very intact Scottish Castle.
    We decided to visit the castle on a very wet day, and had a thoroughly enjoyable visit. With 30 rooms to explore there really is a lot to see, from impressive displays to subtle interpretation. The Castle Manager, Scott, was manning the desk and was passionate about the building and the plans for it - good luck with the future! Recommended visit if in the area.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 October 2023
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4.5
399 reviews
Excellent
208
Very good
133
Average
40
Poor
13
Terrible
5

Nessie
Amsterdam, The Netherlands115 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Beautifully restored castle. A lot of archeological background, gives insight into how people used to live and who visited the castle. You can see that the castle has gotten a lot of (restorative) love over the past years and it is ready to receive many visitors
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leonie H
Perth, Western Australia, Australia68 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
An amazingly castle but it needs a lot of TLC. Is long history needs to be preserved for the future. This of course requires funding on a major scale. Still enjoyed the visit.
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stuart W
Rousay, UK226 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We decided to visit the castle on a very wet day, and had a thoroughly enjoyable visit. With 30 rooms to explore there really is a lot to see, from impressive displays to subtle interpretation.
The Castle Manager, Scott, was manning the desk and was passionate about the building and the plans for it - good luck with the future!
Recommended visit if in the area.
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Al S
Austin, TX361 contributions
Jul 2023
There are lots of rooms you can access with very interesting artefacts and information in them all - and a wee tearoom as well. This castle is the real deal and well a visit. I would rate it amongst the best I have visited - and that's alot. Staff were great as well.
Written 25 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AlexTrish
York, UK8 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Popped in here for a flying visit before returning home. The Castle building itself looks unassuming, but there were plenty of gems to be found inside, not least of which was the very cheerful young lady on the front desk (Steph?).
There's still plenty of renovation going on, but delve a little deeper and the story broadens quickly. Here be links to Rob Roy, the Black Watch, Bonnie Prince Charlie and an Indian chap favoured by the Victorian royals. Can't remember the chap's name, but d'you know what, this place is still worth a visit, and shouldn't take more than a few hours out of your day. We didn't visit the beautiful walled garden, but that's our ready-made excuse to go back if we get the chance to.
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helen
Scottish Highlands, UK6 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Thus is my all time favourite scottish castle, I love its rugged appearance and the surrounding walks. Stunning grounds.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ian L
Perth, Australia533 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Interesting relatively new castle with unusual architecture. The descendants are keen to keep the place open to the public while preserving its heritage and character. Will always need more care and efforts to keep it going, but it’s a really interesting hike to investigate inside. Very reasonable entry fee (£10/adult at the time of our visit) and the history explained throughout the castle is well worth a look.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

r2uzenblot
shropshire180 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We were looking forward to a good morning out and a spot of lunch but.....

Unfortunately the coffee room was no longer open. So that cut our visit short and the walled garden was a bit of a disappointment so it cut the visit even shorter. However the castle was quite interesting and showed how you could sit on the fence during the Scottish Wars with the English. Nice location and well kept but not just not enough of an attraction to make it anything more than a passing visit.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Annie Maxwell
Penrith, UK7 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Fascinating, slightly quirky place, well worth a visit. Their brochure does not do the place justice! An interesting, eclectic mix of styles and exhibits
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LL3
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Scott, the castle's historian, has a wealth of knowledge-a real walking encyclopedia and answered all of our questions. It was great.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CASTLE MENZIES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Castle Menzies

Castle Menzies is open:
  • Sun - Sun 14:00 - 16:30
  • Mon - Sat 10:30 - 16:30