An afternoon at Dunrobin Castle in the Scottish Highlands
Dunrobin Castle looks like it belongs more to a French fairytale than on the East Coast of the Northern Highlands. Outside the villages of Golspie and Dornoch, this impressive 13th-century castle is one of Britains oldest continuously inhabited houses.
Architecturally the building is stunning. It’s all spires, turrets and windows galore. It wouldn’t look out of place within the storybooks of children’s tales.
There are plenty of gardens for strolling on fresh, sunny days. There are daily shows of the acrobatics of birds of prey as the resident falconer shows you how it’s done. Beyond the walled gardens is the sea itself with a rocky beach that’s perfect for skimming stones.
About Dunrobin Castle
This fairytale castle isn’t only one for storybooks filled with turrets and spires. It’s been home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland since the early 1300s and is the largest great house (stately home) in the Northern Highlands.
Today, the castle has 189 rooms, but things have come a long way since its first conception in the Middle Ages. Much of what we see today, including the stunning French-style gardens, were added in the 19th century by Sir Charles Barry. Anyone familiar with London’s architectural history might recognise Barry. He designed the Houses of Parliament!
Added to in stages, the castle has grown and evolved throughout the centuries. Then it was restored after a fire in the 20th Century. Sir Robert Lorimer, a Scottish architect known for ‘sensitive’ restoration of historical buildings, came on board to fix up Dunrobin Castle.
The French inspiration is clear at Dunrobin Castle. You only need look to the spires and the roof. And the gardens were said to be inspired by the Palace of Versailles. Visible from the high terraces above, the walled garden was one of my favourite spots at Dunrobin castle.
The history of Dunrobin Castle
The history of Dunrobin Castle is as you might expect — a long battle of the houses.
The earliest form of a castle at the site of Dunrobin was a simple square keep with walls over 1.8m (6 ft) thick. In the early years, ownership passed down through the men in the family — the house expanding by marriage.
16th century
But the battles began in 1512 when Alexander Sutherland, the legitimate heir, attempted to recapture the castle. He’d lost ownership when his father died and the estate was left to his daughters husband. Poor Alexander did not succeed and his head was placed on a spear atop the castle tower! 30 years or so later Alexander’s son attempted to finish his father’s work. He too, met his demise in the castle garden.
18th century
The next 100 years brought a little more peace to Dunrobin Castle. Until the Jacobite Rising of 1745 saw the 17th Earl flee as the castle was stormed without warning.
Sometime after the daughter of the 18th Earl married politician George Leveson-Gower. This partnership brought Dukedom to the family and Dunrobin Castle.
19th century
Time for a focus on renovations and extensions to the Castle. Acting as a naval hospital during WWI the roof and interior suffered serious damage at the hands of a fire. Once resolved the castle became a boarding school for boys in the late 60s and early 70s. After that, the family opened up the Castle to visitors and retained private accommodation for the Sutherland family.
Planning a Visit to Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle is open to the public through Summer and early Autumn (2021 season: 17th July to 31st October). A visit to the castle is something to plan into the busier, and warmer, Scottish tourism season.
A ticket (£11 for an adult) offers access to:
- a falconry display (twice a day)
- the castle
- the museum
- the castle gardens
We’d recommend arriving mid-morning so you can catch the first falconry show at 11.30 am on the castle lawn. That should give you plenty of time to explore all that Dunrobin has to offer. In particular, if you’re lucky with the weather you can while away a few hours in the grounds.
We had fun playing with dinosaur food (aka. giant rhubarb).
Then skimming stones on the still water just beyond the walled garden.
With your outdoor exploration complete, head into the castle and see what life was like for the Sutherland family in this grand old place.
Then grab a spot of lunch out in the sun or at the castle’s tea room: perfect for the darker, wetter Scottish days you might encounter.
Before wrapping up your visit you should have time to catch the second falconry display of the day at 2.30 pm. Demonstrating different skills there’s plenty to enjoy watching both these short shows. And you’ll get to meet two beautiful birds of prey, both native to the Scottish Highlands, and enjoy some stunning photo op’s.
What is falconry?
Falconry is an ancient art. The art of hunting with birds of prey.
Dunrobin Castle has been hunting with birds of prey throughout the centuries — it’s a traditional form of putting food on the table. The resident falconer at the castle will demonstrate this ancient art. You’ll see demonstrations of various hunting methods and experience the acrobatics and speed of flight. With oh’s and ah’s echoing around the lawn as the air moves around you with the beat of wings.
The falconer will provide insight into the strict training regimes required to work with birds of prey. This long and tiresome process can no doubt be extremely rewarding but also requires determination and patience.
“Dunrobin Castle is proud to be able to showcase this ancient art.”
All dates as times correct as of January 2021. Please check the official Dunrobin Castle website for any changes, especially during the covid-19 pandemic.
Originally posted on Sage Adventures travel & wellness lifestyle blog: www.sageadventres.co.uk.
