The 'Old Chateau' is a special place filled with Fraser family memories. Castle Fraser is a grand baronial castle dating from the 16th century, and is the largest and most elaborate of Scottish castles built on the Z plan design.  

There are plenty of quirky features to discover in the castle - such as the Laird's Lug, hidden trapdoors revealing secret stairs, a spy hole, a room full of stuffed animals and a wooden leg!

As you venture through the castle and up to the round tower, with its panoramic views of the gardens and estate beyond, you get a sense of life from the medieval to the Victorian period. Although the main castle was completed around 1636, there were several 18th- and 19th-century alterations. To a large extent the story of Castle Fraser is the story of its lairds.

It retains the atmosphere of the family home with portraits, furniture and mementos. Highlights include the Great Hall dating back to the 1400s, a library filled with family books, and the grand Worked Room featuring 18th-century embroideries.

New to Castle Fraser for 2012 is an exhibition in a previously unopened room in the castle. The exhibition, entitled “Women of Strength” has been kindly sponsored by Exxon Mobil and features information on the historical development of the garden, grounds and castle and the involvement of Elyza Fraser and Lavinia Smiley.

Outside, two waymarked walks give magnificent views of the local hills.

Miss Bristow's Trail (1.25 miles) - a walk on forest paths, taking you past old estate stonework including the Moses Well and a hydraulic ram (water pump). This walk is not accessible by wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The Alton Brae Trail (1.5 miles) - a walk on forest paths including steep sections and steps, leading you down to the flight pond with its amazing wildlife including 10 species of dragonflies, damselflies, frogs, toads, newts and many aquatic invertebrates. This walk is not accessible by wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The children's Woodland Secrets play area is an enchanting wooded area with a tepee, bamboo snake walk, giant xylophone and lots of other areas for children to hide and climb. The whole children's area is built from natural materials and is therefore very environmentally friendly. There is access to this area by wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Please note that we are CLOSED from November until April.