Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that Corgarff Castle will reopen today (Tuesday 1 August), with visitors once again being able to see the tower house turned army base first built in the 1500s.
Standing in the Cairngorms National Park, the Castle’s surroundings illuminate the beauty of Scotland’s heritage, while the castle itself offers two very different tales. Corgarff was originally built as a noble residence, but later became an army base for hunting down Jacobite sympathisers and, later, whisky smugglers.
The Castle was used as the fortified residence of the Forbeses of Corgarff from mid-1500s to the early 1600s. In the mid-1700s, over a hundred years later, the abandoned castle was turned into a barracks and used by the army until 1831.
Craig Mearns, Director of Operations at HES, said:
Corgarff Castle is a hidden gem within the Cairngorms National Park and a fascinating site to visit. It has two unique stories to tell - one of remote, peaceful noble life, and one of prosecution and punishment.
“We are delighted to welcome visitors back to Corgarff Castle once more.”
Corgarff Castle will be open every Monday and Tuesday from 9.30am to 5.30pm, from Tuesday 1 August to Tuesday 26 September. Last entry at 4.30pm. The castle closes for lunch from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Visitors are encouraged to book before visiting.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead public body charged with caring for, protecting, and promoting the historic environment. We will lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.
- Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
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For further information, please contact:
Robin Kepple
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot