Dunnottar, Drum & Castle Fraser | Scotland Castle (Day 10)

Описание: After Whisky Day comes Castle Day.

The group wakes just steps from the dramatic cliffside ruins of Dunnottar Castle, perched above the North Sea. Though privately owned (and not included with their Historic Scotland passes), the views alone make the stop worthwhile. Stratton opts out of the interior tour in favor of a freezing North Sea plunge — part meditation, part fever-fighting experiment.

From there, the itinerary moves inland to Drum Castle, home to one of Scotland’s oldest and largely unaltered medieval tower houses. Its original 13th-century tower still stands, with nine-foot-thick stone walls anchoring centuries of history. The tour highlights the fascinating life and artistic vision of Anna Forbes Irvine, whose influence still shapes the estate.

Next stop: Castle Fraser, an imposing and beautifully preserved castle with lively, top-tier guides who bring its stories to life.

Time, however, proves unforgiving.

They visit but miss touring Craigievar Castle, famous for its distinctive pink harled exterior. Attempts to access Glamis Castle fall short thanks to estate gates that keep visitors at a distance. Even Balmoral Castle gets cut from the plan.

Castle fatigue is real — though Derek would argue there’s no such thing as too many.

📍 Region in this episode:
Aberdeenshire
Scotland’s East Coast Castle Trail

If you’re planning a Scottish castle itinerary along the east coast, this episode shows what’s realistic in a single day — and what might require more time.