Craigston Castle

Craigston Castle stands in rolling farmland six kilometres north-east of Turriff in Aberdeenshire. It is a 17th-century country house built in the U-plan style, with two main wings that flank the entrance and join under an elevated arch. The stone parapet is richly decorated with corbels, and the tops of each wing show bases for corner turrets that were never finished. Inside, the drawing room contains wood carvings of biblical scenes and heraldry that belong to Clan Urquhart. The castle belongs to the Bell group of Scottish castles, designed by masons from the Bell family. Craigston Castle is worth the journey because it is recognised as one of Scotland’s finest contributions to Western architecture. The castle has remained in the hands of the Urquhart family for centuries, tracing their descent to Adam Urquhart, sheriff of Cromarty in the 14th century. John Urquhart, known as the Tutor of Cromarty, built the castle between 1604 and 1607. After a period away, the family bought it back in 1739 and added the flanking wings and new gardens. The castle is now a category A listed building and hosts weddings and events while offering accommodation. Visitors find a grand entrance framed by two wings under an arched bridge. The drawing room’s carved panelling shows biblical figures and the Urquhart coat of arms. Outside, the grounds include gardens laid out in the 18th century and a later entrance doorway designed by John Smith, architect of Balmoral Castle. The setting is quiet farmland with distant views across Aberdeenshire. The castle remains a lived-in home, so tours focus on public rooms and the surrounding grounds rather than private quarters.