Braemar Castle

01/07/2024

The Castle framed by the wonderful landscape in the heart of the

28/06/2024

The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. We have plenty of them at the castle at the moment and they’re very pretty. Come and see!

24/06/2024

The reintroduction of Scottish Wildcats to the Cairngorms is beyond exciting, there’s certainly plenty for them to eat 🐰. The Invercauld Estate, where the castle sits, has one they track, Willie. These wee dinkers look affa cute, but they are very wild and can put up quite a fight. Here’s hoping they continue to flourish.

23/06/2024

23/06/2024

What a glorious day for our Jacobites and Redcoats weekend. Come on down, free entry to the grounds, usual entry fee for the castle 🏰

23/06/2024

Join the battles again today as the jacobites take on the Redcoats. Come and have a look round the local community's fully furnished 17th century Castle. You'll be made very welcome.

22/06/2024

Braemar Castle has been hosting members of Alan Breck's Volunteer Regiment over the weekend. They've re-enacted skirmishes between Redcoats and Jacobites and will be at it again all day tomorrow (Sunday, June 23rd). Do come along and cheer them on - whichever side you support!

22/06/2024

The Redcoats are here! And the Jacobites! They’ll be here all day today and again tomorrow. Battles and skirmishes every hour at the top of the hour!

21/06/2024

Our Jacobites and redcoats have started to arrive…who knew they travelled in transits and Mazdas?!?! Who needs a drove road? Not these Jacobites. Hopefully they don’t skirmish too hard tonight 🍻 and will be up for lots of battles and bangs tomorrow. Entry to the grounds is free, parking is £3. Normal entry fee for the castle applies - please support our wonderful castle 🏰🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

Doesn’t Simon “stealth” Blackett do a fab job with the grass? Total legend 😊

19/06/2024

19/06/2024

This is how clean the air is in Braemar. So clean, it allows these beautiful lichens to grow. They only grow where the air is pure. Come and breathe it for yourself and enjoy all this stunning area has to offer.

16/06/2024

We had a very special volunteer on the ticket desk today, the lovely Lui. Many cuddles were enjoyed and too many treats given 🙈🏰😂

16/06/2024

I always get excited when I hear the buzzing of a drone around the castle because we inevitably get amazing pictures like this to share with you. Thank you Thomas for letting us know you were coming, we love the pics you got 🥰

The stunning Braemar Castle 😍

Constructed in 1628 by John Erskine, Earl of Mar, it served as a hunting lodge and a symbol of authority over the Braes of Mar. Beyond its recreational purpose, the castle was a strategic bulwark against the Farquharson's, a rival clan rising in power at the time. This iconic structure, which replaced an older building and succeeded the medieval Kindrochit Castle, has seen many roles: from fortress to garrison, and from a family home to the residence of Clan Farquharson chiefs for the past two centuries​

The castle's history is marked by tumultuous events, including being set ablaze by the notorious Black Colonel in 1689 during the first Jacobite Uprising. This was a period of intense civil strife where the castle's allegiance to the government of William and Mary made it a target for the Jacobite forces. After being captured and burned, it lay derelict for a time. The Earl of Mar himself later led the Jacobite Rising in 1715 and was condemned for treason​​​​.

Today, Braemar Castle stands not only as an architectural wonder but also as a witness to the dramatic shifts in Scottish power dynamics and governance. Its presence in the Cairngorms National Park, with features like castellated turrets, a star-shaped curtain wall, and a bottleneck dungeon, continues to draw visitors from around the world, eager to explore its colourful past and imagine its vibrant future​​.



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15/06/2024

We’ve now been re-opened for ten weeks - here are just a few pics from some of our castle capers 🏰. I do hope the sun ☀️ comes back soon ☺️

15/06/2024

Our wee courtyard garden is gradually recovering after the restoration work to renew the harling to the Castle walls. Castle now open again, Thursday to Sunday for now, but opening hours will extend soon.

03/06/2024

Isn’t this picture just the most beautiful dusk capture? Chris and his partner Victoria live nearby, Victoria is a very talented photographer, Chris is our local weather man. With many weather stations placed across the area, Chris’ weather coverage is epic! Thank you for letting us share the pic Chris.

2213 2/6/24

Hello Braemar Castle

A majestical sky this evening but remember things will change this week as we should expect a much colder week with daytime highs of only 11°c in places with -2°c inland during the week

High top hill snow also Tuesday evening into Wed and Thur

Chris

31/05/2024

Maureen, our chief historian, spends hours pouring through the archives at Invercauld Estate. She recently came across this absolute gem of a menu for a post-gathering supper at Braemar Castle (Old Mar Castle). I’m very glad we’ve relaxed our views on punctuation, this menu is making my artistic eye twitch 👁️ 😂🙈.

31/05/2024

Will it be another beautiful day in Braemar? It got rather toasty 🥵 again yesterday. The castle looks resplendent against the vivid blue sky. Isn’t she a beauty 🥰

25/05/2024

We asked the Gods to cheer up a rather overcast Saturday - lo and behold ten very handsome Frenchmen appear in the grounds 🏰🥰🙈.

Flavien (sitting holding a wee tinnie) is having his stag weekend in Braemar so he and his pals came for a picnic and carry on at the castle. If any other handsome men in kilts are looking for a stag location then please do let them know we are open to their visit 😜.

T&Cs Kilts are non-negotiable. Cartwheels 🤸🏽‍♂️ are up for discussion 🤓

24/05/2024

This a new one for me but we have plenty smirr in Braemar so it shouldn’t be long before having the chance to test it out 🙈🏰

Scottish Word Of The Week is... smirr. ⠀⠀
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Smirr or a smirry of rain describes a fine mist-like rain experienced frequently in Scotland.

Very relevant this spring!

24/05/2024

The Braemar calendars have arrived - beautifully modelled in the picture by Andy 😂 Pop in past to buy one - £7 with all proceeds going to the Castle 🏰. Huge thanks to the team of local people who organise this every year 🥰

20/05/2024

Sunny weather means time to cut the grass!