Craigievar Castle’s story unfolds in two chapters. The Mortimers, who owned the land since the 1300s, began construction around 1575. This early version was a simpler tower house. Enter William Forbes, a wealthy merchant nicknamed “Danzig Willie.”

In 1610, he bought the partially built castle and transformed it. He tore down the upper floors and built the iconic turrets and elaborate facade we see today. Completed by 1626, Craigievar became a symbol of Forbes’s success. The Forbes family lived there for over 300 years before passing it to the National Trust for Scotland in the 1960s. Today, the castle stands as a testament to both the Mortimer ambition and Forbes’s ostentatious flair.

Craigievar Castle stands out with its iconic pink tower, believed to be an inspiration for Disney castles, Craigievar’s beauty enchants visitors of all ages. Explore its elaborately decorated ceilings and admire a collection of artifacts and art, including weaponry and portraits.