Marty Dunlop Booked via Celtic Castles Craigston Castle October 2021

Craigston Castle was an absolute treasure. Our group visit castles for a long weekend every year (with a little gap due to Covid) and out of all the majestic landmarks we’ve visited, this was probably the best one yet.
There are many great points about our stay, so I’ll just start listing them. The grounds are nestled in a great little corner west of Aberdeen, with great woods and agri land all around. When you arrive, the castle stands with great prominence at the end of the driveway, welcoming you like high society. Even before you arrive, you’re greeted by Elisabetta through email and text, welcoming you to your stay and ensuring everything is in place beforehand. Before, on arrival and during your stay, Elisabetta gives a welcoming air to the weekend.

You’re not short of space or rooms with Craigston, many lovely bedrooms (even with some under renovation), a cosy and full kitchen area, beautiful main lounge, elegant dining room and an absolutely amazing garden. Even in winter it was nice to sit out in. As the castle is lived in and still owned by the family, it’s always cosy, warm and comfortable (in contrast to some Trust properties are colder and less homely due to being caretaked as opposed to lived in). Everything about the estate and castle is looked after and tended to so you really feel at home when you arrive and stay.

I would definitely recommend Craigston to all for a long weekend or week with the family/large group of close friends, a great getaway. Having the ability to bring two of the groups dogs along really made it too, having great walks on the doorstep and a well equipped/cosy ground floor for them to stay.

Top of our list as a group of castle goers!
From our experience the price is of great value too, for what you get and in contrast to any other castle you could look at for the same time.

Kirsty Darwent Booked direct Craigston Castle July 2021

We had a wonderful week at the castle. We got together to celebrate my daughter’s graduation, which could not happen because of COVID, and we could not have chosen a better place to celebrate.

The whole experience was fabulous and we felt so at home. While the castle is really grand, we very quickly settled ourselves: we rather enjoyed getting a bit lost sometimes as we explored the rooms and found our favourites. The bedrooms are amazing and the beds are so comfortable.

Because we were celebrating, we had lots of meals together, and as chief cook, I really appreciated the great kitchen that was well equipped. The kitchen became the gathering place most evenings and we often ate at the big ‘servants’ table. We also used the dining rooms for formal dinners but we were not brave enough to use the dumb waiter!

The grounds are fabulous and we often wandered around. There are acres of privacy and amazing views of the castle. We held our own garden party on the front lawn and breakfasted most mornings in the rear garden, which was beautifully framed with rhododendrons.

Elisabetta met us on arrival and oriented us. She was super helpful and made us really welcome, then disappeared until we needed her. It could not have been a better arrangement and nothing was too much trouble. The trip to the library, which houses priceless family history and archives was a highlight for some of us and it was a delight to get access to this – pretty much the only area of the house that is not fully accessible when staying there.

Overall we had a wonderful time and could not recommend it highly enough – and we really hope to be able to visit again.