Inside Dunnottar Castle | A Complete Guide to the Castle on the Cliff
ArboursAbroad contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase using one of the affiliated links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.
Dunnottar Castle is a dreamy castle in ruins that sits up on a rocky peninsula just outside of Aberdeen. Inside Dunnottar Castle, you’ll find snippets of the rich history of Dunnottar, buildings left in ruins, and views you’ll never forget.
This castle overlooking the water is a sight to see, perched on top a large rock, surrounded on three sides by the sea. There is a grand entrance down the coastline then straight back up the stairs to climb on top of the castle cliff.
Quick FAQs on Dunnottar Castle
Where is Dunnottar Castle?
Dunnottar Castle is located on the coastline in Aberdeenshire in the historic village of Stonehaven.
How do I get to Dunnottar Castle?
You can drive to Dunnottar Castle and park on the grounds, or take the X7 bus out of Aberdeen towards Stonehaven.
How do I get inside Dunnottar Castle?
To get inside Dunnottar Castle you have to first climb down a lot of stairs, and then right back up them up the cliffside. At that point, you’ll pay at the entry gate right at the castle walls.
How much does it cost to go inside Dunnottar Castle?
£10.50 per person, with some exceptions. More details on that below.
Is it difficult to get inside Dunnottar Castle?
It’s not difficult to get inside Dunnottar Castle as far as entry allows. However, some may find the walk down the stairs and back up them difficult. With that said, with wet weather, the steps can become super slippery, so take care when walking in the rain.
Is Dunnottar Castle worth seeing?
Yes! The setting of Dunnottar Castle is so unique with it up on the cliff edge. Do note that the castle is actually ruins though, so don’t expect to see a full-blown Scottish Castle in tact.
Are there tours to Dunnottar Castle?
Yes. There are tours both at Dunnottar Castle and leaving from Aberdeen. Check more below.
Our Experience Visiting Dunnottar Castle
We visited Dunnottar Castle multiple times while living in Scotland. However, our most memorable times were the first two visits there.
The first time we went to Dunnottar Castle, it was closing within an hour of getting there, so the worker suggested we come back another time to truly experience the inside of Dunnottar Castle.
This ended up being a huge bonus to our trip to Dunnottar Castle! We unexpectedly spent a lot of time exploring the surrounding area. We climbed down along the water and took in the views from every angle on shore.
We recommend spending some extra time down at the beach below the castle. From here, you’ll get to imagine what it would be like for people coming to invade the castle. And just think, William Wallace climbed these castle walls to sneak inside!
Just seeing Dunnottar Castle from afar was enough to leave us breathless and wanting to go back again to see the inside!
We returned a second time within just a few weeks, this time checking the castle website for opening times, ensuring we could actually get in!
Inside Dunnottar Castle Grounds
Our second time at Dunnottar Castle, we visited on a day with crazy weather! As you can tell by the photos, a hail storm blew through, but we didn’t let that stop us from going inside the castle!
At the castle door, there’s a ticket station where you pay and then are free to explore. In 2024, the tickets are expected to be £10.50 per adult. Check here for current pricing and discounts.
If you choose to do a tour of Dunnottar Castle, keep in mind, the entry price is typically not included.
Once inside the castle grounds, you’re free to wander about as you wish. We recommend finding a place to picnic and really soak in the beauty of this historic place!
Buildings Inside Dunnottar Castle
The Keep
Imagine yourself stepping back in time to a building built in 1392! That’s just what the Keep is. Built by Sir William Keith, The Keep is the first castle made from stone at Dunnottar.
The Chapel
The image below is what’s left of the 13th Century Chapel. It’s the oldest part of the entire castle grounds, and rumor has it, that William Wallace set it on fire when he invaded Dunnottar — yes, even with people in it!
The Lion’s Den
Yes, just as the name suggests, there is a building that housed a pet lion for George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal.
I can’t imagine having a pet lion inside an enclosed castle grounds with a cliff on all edges, but hey! To each their own!
Multiple Other Buildings
There are many more buildings to explore inside Dunnottar Castle. You can walk around and see the spot where William Wallace “broke in”.
Follow the edge of the buildings to see different viewpoints of the sea. And climb inside towers to get a glimpse at what it would be like to be on watch for invaders.
While you can do a tour of Dunnottar Castle on your own, it’s sometimes nice to visit a place like this with a guide. If you wish to have a guide to go into greater detail of the history of Dunnottar Castle, check current prices and book your Dunnottar tour here.
Getting to Dunnottar Castle from Aberdeen
From Aberdeen, it’s really easy to get to Dunnottar Castle. There are four main ways to get to Dunnottar.
Taking a Tour from Aberdeen
The seemingly easiest way to visit Dunnottar Castle from Aberdeen is to book a tour leaving from the city.
These tours can be anywhere from half a day to a full day, and include transportation, however, typically don’t include the entrance fee to inside the castle grounds.
Bus from Aberdeen to Dunnottar Castle
We visited Dunnottar twice via bus from Aberdeen, and shoot, it’s really easy.
Grab the X7 bus from Union Station or from Holburn Road, check stops and timing here, and then enjoy a beautiful 30-minute ride through the Scottish Countryside.
If you tell the driver you want to visit Dunnottar Castle, they will stop the bus for you after Stonehaven at the closest point to the castle. From here, you simply walk towards the castle!
Bus from Aberdeen to Stonehaven, Then Hike
The third option for visiting Dunnottar Castle is to take the bus from Aberdeen just as you would above, via the X7, but get off in Stonehaven.
Getting off in Stonehaven allows you to hike a mile and a half to the castle, giving you a completely different approach to Dunnottar Castle.
While this sounds great if you have the time and want to explore more, we actually recommend taking the bus further, and then walking back to Stonehaven when you finish your time at Dunnottar Castle.
Rent a Car + Drive Yourself
It’s no secret that we’re all about renting cars in Scotland. With how cheap car rentals are, and how expensive public transportation can be, its a no-brainer.
Well, that paired with driving in Scotland is unlike anything else! The countryside is beautiful, and renting a car and driving yourself allows you to stop at all the hidden beauty Scotland holds.
Walking from Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle
As we mentioned above, we don’t actually recommend walking from Stonehaven to Dunnottar, but instead the other way around.
The walk is 1.5 miles, and except for leaving Stonehaven to get up the coastal ledge, it’s flat.
If you do the walk from Dunnottar Castle to Stonehaven, there is no elevation gain, and instead just a short walk downhill into the actual village of Stonehaven.
Along the walk, you’ll follow the coastline until you get to the castle. Trust me, you won’t get lost here. And you’ll even pass by a Scottish War Memorial.
As you can see in the image above, this war memorial looks unfinished, but it’s instead “unfinished” on purpose, believed to be so as an honor to those lost in war.
Don’t Miss Out on Stonehaven
A trip to Dunnottar Castle is not complete without stopping at the Carron Fish Bar for a deep-fried Mars bar!
Yes, you read that right. It’s a Mars candy bar, battered and then, deep-fried to perfection. Every bite is filled with melting chocolate and gooey caramel.. ahh.. it’s SO GOOD!
A deep-fried Mars bar is one of many Scottish foods you have to try when in Scotland, and shoot, while you’re there, you can even grab some fish and chips too!
Aside from yummy food, Stonehaven has a lovely beach walk and is a really cute small Scottish village.
Where to Stay When Visiting Dunnottar Castle
Aberdeen Bed and Breakfasts
We recommend staying at a bed and breakfast in Aberdeen when visiting Dunnottar Castle. A bed and breakfast offers a more Scottish stay in the city, and you’ll be greeted in the morning with a delicious full Scottish breakfast!
In a Campervan
If you’re in a campervan, there is a caravan park right in Stonehaven. However, you can also park along the beachfront in Stonehaven, near to the caravan park for free. Just be sure to be fully self-sufficient and practice leave no trace!
Save This Post For Later Here
If you found this post on Inside Dunnottar Castle helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others! We’ve even made some pretty pins for you to do so!
