Family Day Out to Dunrobin Castle in Scotland

We recently visited the Scottish Highlands during the summer holidays and on one of our family days out, we decided to stop off at Dunrobin Castle near Golspie, Sutherland.

Perched above the Moray Firth, this magnificent castle looks like it has been lifted straight from a fairytale, with its turrets, conical spires and grand French-inspired design. We stayed at Grannie’s Heilan’ Hame Holiday Park and it took us around half an hour to get to the Castle as we were looking for something interesting to do as a family with our teenage kids.

Dunrobin Castle offers a wonderful combination of history, beautiful scenery and impressive gardens, making it a lovely place to explore as a family. We thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the historic castle, admiring its grand interiors and learning more about its fascinating past.

Outside, the beautifully maintained gardens provided the perfect opportunity to take in the scenery and appreciate the variety of flowers on display. There was also an outdoor birds of prey display, so we planned our visit around the show, which added an exciting and memorable element to our day.

What We Thought of Dunrobin Castle?

Our first impression of Dunrobin Castle was just how spectacular it looks from the outside. Sitting above the formal gardens with the sea stretching out behind it, the setting is genuinely impressive. It was a fabulous day, and we loved exploring both the castle’s interiors and its beautiful grounds, admiring the stunning gardens and their wonderful array of flowers.

The castle is one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in Britain and has been associated with the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland for centuries. While the history is interesting, it was the architecture and surroundings that really made an immediate impact on us. Even our teenagers, who are not always easily impressed by historic attractions, appreciated how different and grand the castle looked.

Inside, the self-guided tour takes visitors through a selection of rooms, offering a glimpse into the lives of the families who lived there. There were staff present in most of the rooms giving our talks and answering any questions which we had for them about the castle or particular area.

There is a mixture of grand interiors, period furnishings and historical details, as well as older sections of the building that help tell its story. We found it enjoyable to explore at our own pace rather than being tied to a guided tour. The museum is another interesting part of the visit, although some of its taxidermy and historical displays may not appeal to everyone. It provides an insight into the interests and collections associated with the estate and adds another dimension to the castle experience.

The gardens were undoubtedly one of our favourite parts of the day. Designed in the style of the gardens at Versailles, they feature formal parterres, fountains, neatly arranged flowerbeds and carefully maintained planting.

Walking down from the castle into the gardens gives you a wonderful view back towards the building, while the views across the Moray Firth make the setting feel even more special. There is plenty of space to wander around, take photographs and enjoy the scenery. The contrast between the formal gardens and the rugged Highland landscape beyond them is particularly striking.

The highlight for our family, however, was the outdoor birds of prey display. Held on the castle lawn, the falconry demonstration was both entertaining and educational. Watching the birds fly so close overhead was an exciting experience, and the falconer’s explanations helped us understand more about these remarkable animals and the ancient art of falconry.

The display was especially popular with our teenagers, as it offered something active and memorable rather than simply looking at exhibits. The combination of the birds in flight and the castle as a backdrop made it a standout part of the visit.

Overall, Dunrobin Castle was a fantastic family day out and we would certainly recommend it. It combines history, architecture, gardens and an exciting outdoor experience in one beautiful location.

Although some parts may appeal more to adults than teenagers, the falconry display and expansive grounds help keep the visit varied with our teenagers and we would happily recommend Dunrobin Castle to families visiting the Highlands, particularly if you want an attraction that feels both educational and enjoyable.

What are their Opening Hours?

Dunrobin Castle Opening Times and Prices 2026
From 1st April to 30 September
Daily 10.00 am – 5.30 pm (Last entry is 4.30pm)

From 1st to 31 October
Daily 10.30 am – 5.00 pm (Last entry is 4.00pm)

How much does it cost to enter Dunrobin Castle and how to purchase tickets for it?

Tickets include admission to the Castle, Museum, and Gardens. You can book your tickets here.

Adult (17+) £16.00
Concession £14.00
Child (6+) £10.00
Family £47.00 (2 adults + up to 3 children)
Children under six are free

Things to Note

• Your ticket includes admission to the Castle, Gardens, and Museum. The Castle is a self-guided tour through 18 furnished rooms. Tickets are valid for the day of purchase only and allow for an all-day pass. When purchasing tickets online, please select an arrival time slot for checking in.
• Access to the Tearoom is available only to Castle ticket holders and does not require a reservation.
• Please be aware of their bag policy before arrival, as any bags, backpacks, camera bags, or back carriers larger than A4 dimensions (210 mm x 297 mm) are not permitted within the Castle rooms.
• Please note that Dunrobin Castle is a historic building. As a consequence, there are a number of areas where access is not possible for visitors using a wheelchair or with limited mobility. Please do not hesitate to contact them if you would like to discuss any accessibility issues further before your visit. Wheelchair access to the gardens can be arranged on request.
• Pushchairs can be used around the castle grounds but must be checked in at our cloakroom when visiting the Castle. Front carriers are ideal for visiting the Castle, but we do not allow back carriers.
• Baby changing facilities are available.
• Photography is allowed throughout the Castle without flash.
• Dogs are not permitted in the Castle or Formal Gardens, except for assistance dogs.
• Dunrobin Castle is a privately owned, therefore, they are not part of National Trust. But they do offer discounts for Blue Light Card and Service/Armed Forces. They also offer discounts for families and concessions (seniors/students). Carers and children under six go free.
• The use of drones is not permitted in the gardens or grounds due to our birds of prey.
• When visiting the Castle Museum please be aware that it contains a large collection of animal taxidermy dating from the early 1900’s. Some visitors may find these offensive.

Where is Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle is 50 miles North of Inverness on the A9, 1/2 mile North of Golspie. There is Free parking for 200 cars and four coaches.

About Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. Dunrobin Castle is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. The Castle, which resembles a French chateâu with its towering conical spires, has seen the architectural influences of Sir Charles Barry, who designed London’s Houses of Parliament, and Scotland’s own Sir Robert Lorimer. The Castle was used as a naval hospital during the First World War and as a boys’ boarding school from 1965 to 1972.

Dunrobin Castle is on the east coast of the Northern Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth, just north of the villages of Golspie and Dornoch (famous for its cathedral and Royal Dornoch Golf Club). Do note : Dunrobin Castle is open annually from 1st April to 31st October.

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