Built by the Douglas family, the 13th century fortified residence of Aberdour Castle was extended in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
See the large and imposing suite of buildings from the 12th to the 17th century with the grand hall-house, thought to be the oldest standing stone castle in Scotland. There is also a delightful walled garden, with scented flowers and a beehive-shaped doocot, which overlooks the Forth.
Take a guided tour in summer to see all around the castle including the painted ceiling in the east range, which is a precious survival from the early 17th century.
Access is limited to part of the ground floor which includes a tearoom, the walled garden and the upper terrace to the south of the castle. Upper floors and terraces are not suitable for visitors using wheelchairs or with limited mobility as access is by a set of turnpike stairs.
Gravel paths to the gardens/grounds can be difficult for visitors using wheelchairs, however access is possible with assistance and for more mobile visitors. Toilets and disabled toilets are available.
Aberdour Castle on the silver screen
Outlander film location
Aberdour Castle doubles as Sainte Anne de Beaupré’s monastery in France which Jamie flees to, and where you can see the Old Kitchen and Long Gallery which were used for filming.
*Outlander is the TV adaptation of the critically acclaimed time travel romance and fantasy adventure novels by American writer Diana Gabaldon. It centres around the story of Claire Randall (played by Caitriona Balfe), a married English combat nurse from 1945 who, while on her second honeymoon in Inverness, is mysteriously swept back in time to the 18th-century Scottish Highlands. There she meets Jamie (played by Sam Heughan), a chivalrous young warrior, with whom she becomes romantically entwined.
To find out more about the series and its Scottish connections, go to www.visitscotland.com/outlander
Save with an Explorer Pass
An Explorer Pass, valid for 14 consecutive days, is a great way to explore our iconic sites.
Very occasionally the property has to close at short notice due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons out with our control. Please check the Historic Scotland closures page for any unexpected site closures https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/check-for-closures/. You can also follow closure tweets from @welovehistory using #hsclosure. Alternatively please call the site before setting off to check they are open.
