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Aberdour Castle and Gardens

Aberdour, Fife
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Open today

Aberdour Castle was built in the 1100s and went on to serve generations of three noble families – including a Regent of Scotland.

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Aberdour Castle has seen 500 years of noble living, serving as a residence to the powerful Mortimer, Randolph and Douglas families. Today, its ruined structures and roofed buildings show clearly how a medieval castle could be extended and adapted over time.

The Douglas family in particular left their mark, raising the height of the hall-house to make Aberdour into a more typical tower house castle and adding further ranges of buildings.

Today's visitors can explore the impressive complex which alongside the castle buildings has a delightful walled garden, impressive terraces, a delightful orchard and a superb doocot.

Monument Monitor

We're inviting visitors to certain monuments, including this one, to be a part of a crowdsourced conservation project. Look out for the signs as you explore! Read more about Monument Monitor.

A bench, covered in and surrounded by purple, yellow, red and green plants, in front of a historic stone wall
A large, long planting border beside a path and large grassy picnic area, in a historic walled garden
A historic stone castle, with extensive grounds, and a round stone doocot beside an orchard

Travel the green way!

Get a 25% discount when you arrive at selected Historic Scotland sites by train, bus, or bike.
Plan with Good Journey

Book Aberdour Castle as a wedding venue

Set amidst beautiful terraced gardens and just a short distance from Edinburgh, Aberdour perfect for a historic ceremony or wedding photography.
Weddings
a bride and groom stand face to face under the archway of a stone gatehouse

Ready for an adventure?

Use a Membership or Explorer Pass to discover centuries of Scottish history and heritage, all while saving money and supporting our work.

Membership

Ideal for regular visitors and heritage supporters

Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events

Two adults, holding hands with two young children, walk through a graveyard, with historical stone ruins in the background. It is a sunny day.
  • Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events
  • Discount in our shops and cafés (on site and online)
  • Historic Scotland magazine delivered to your door
  • Free or discounted entry to sites in England, Wales and the Isle of Man
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Explorer Pass

Perfect for short-term trips and sightseeing

Valid for 14 consecutive days

A family walking across a grassy lawn with the New Abbey Corn Mill building in the background.
  • Valid for 14 consecutive days
  • Entry to all ticketed sites, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle
  • 20% discount on audio guides at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Glasgow Cathedral
  • Guaranteed entry when you pre-book online
Buy now View details