Dunrobin Castle

A French Château

Dunrobin Castle is a beautiful French Château in the north of Scotland. It’s the largest castle in the Northern Highlands, comprising of around 180 rooms, though not all open for visitors. The earliest parts of the building date back as far as 1275, though most of what we see today was built in later centuries. The castle belonged to the Earl of Sutherland and parts of it are still used by the family. The castle was a boys’ boarding school for almost a decade, before it opened to the public.

What is most special about Dunrobin is the look and architecture - it’s exactly like a château from Loire Valley, but in Scotland!

The Interior

Dunrobin is a great example of French architecture, and the exterior looks spectacular from every angle. I thought the interior was a bit underwhelming by comparison, however the library and museum are quite interesting. Expect a lot of taxidermy.

The castle is open for visits only from July till October. There is plenty of parking available at the front. The entrance fee is around £11 per person and includes access to the beautiful gardens (the best part).

The Gardens

A quick search of Dunrobin Castle will surely bring up its superb gardens. They are some of the most impressive in Scotland, with visible French influences in their layout. The gardens are at the back of the castle by the sea, and access is through the castle main hall (though there is also a gate to its left). The castle looks its best from this angle.

The Giant Rhubarb plants by the main staircase are pretty cool. Some of them are almost the size of a person!

There are falconry displays taking place in the gardens during the day, and these are included in the ticket. You can check their timings here.