Huntly Castle

Name: Huntly Castle
Brand: Euan's Guide
Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)

Overall rating

3.5

2 reviews

Review this place

About

With elaborate heraldry, carved fireplaces and refined décor, this palatial residence was a declaration of the power and wealth of the noble Gordon family. It stands on the site of a motte and bailey castle built in about 1190. Robert the Bruce granted Huntly to the Gordons after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. There were many royal visits, although in 1594 James VI had part of the tower house blown up after suppressing the rebellion. The 5th Earl of Huntly died here after suffering a stroke on a football pitch. Opening times: 1 Apr to 30 Sept: Daily, 10am to last entry at 3.45pm (closes 4.30pm) 1 Oct to 31 Mar: Daily except Thur & Fri, 10am to last entry at 2.15pm (closes 3pm) We recommend booking online to guarantee entry. Please note there is currently no access to the top of the tower.

Reviews

Overall rating

3.5

(2 reviews)

Overall rating breakdown

5 0
4 1
3 1
2 0
1 0

Access (avg.)

3.25

Parking (avg.)

4.25

Toilets (avg.)

1.75

Staff (avg.)

gordon_lawtie

Sept 2019

The Loyal Gordons.

Since it is a ruin then understandably not everything within the castle is wheelchair accessible, but it's a great castle to go around and get a grasp for the history and learn about the Loyal Gordons.

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smithling

Oct 2016

Spooky castle

We visited at Halloween weekend, so it was amazing to see all the autumn colours at this time of year. This is a really old ruin, so much of the site is quite inaccessible - but you can really get a feel for the castle and what it once was by wandering around the grounds. It's a really atmospheric site.

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Disabled Access Information Provided by Huntly Castle

Disabled Access at Huntly Castle

Approach to site The main entrance door has a ramp 8m long with a gradient of 1:12 leading up to it. Visitor centre The shop has step free access. The outer buildings are all at ground level, though there are some steps, ramps, gravel and cobble surfaces. The main door has a metal handrail, and opens onto stairs leading to the kitchen. Access to the basement is down a large stone staircase of 25 steps with a rope handrail. There are a further six wooden, and four stone, steps down to the prison. There are 13 large wide steps, with metal handrail, from the main castle entrance to the ground floor. 26 stone steps with metal handrail lead to the first floor; and 33 wooden steps with a handrail lead to the second floor. From the servants’ quarters on the ground floor to the top of the tower there is a narrow spiral stair case of 92 steps with a rope handrail.

Disabled access

Accessible parking at Huntly Castle

Accessible parking spaces are available in a level, tarmac car park next to the entrance. A larger car park is across the road opposite the visitor centre.

Dedicated on site parking

Toilets features at Huntly Castle

There is an adapted toilet near the castle, along a gravel path.

Accessible toilet

A designated accessible toilet designed for wheelchair users and others with visible and non-visible accessibility requirements is available within the main public areas.