Rothesay Castle
Buy tickets for Rothesay Castle
Rothesay Castle ticket options
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Standard entry
Explore the castle at a specific date and time, with options for family and carer tickets.
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Member tickets
Historic Scotland members get free, unlimited entry to all our sites
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Explorer Pass tickets
Explorer Pass holders can book their visit here
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Family tickets
Choose the family ticket that works best for you
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Young Scot Card holders
Young Scot card holders can visit our sites for just £1
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Partner organisations
Members of our partner organisations receive free or discounted entry
What to expect on your visit
Rothesay Castle is fully accessible and open for visitors to explore, offering the chance to walk through one of Scotland’s best‑preserved medieval castles, with its impressive curtain walls, towers and central courtyard. There is a small amount of scaffolding in place while conservation work is carried out, but this should have minimal impact on your visit and does not restrict access to the site, which remains enjoyable and easy to explore.
Opening times
1 April – 30 September
- Daily 9.30am to 5pm
1 October – 31 March
- Daily 10am to 4pm
Last entry and closures
- Lunch: 12 noon to 1pm
- Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
- Closed: 25 December to 2 January. Closes at 2pm on 24 December.
Ticket prices
Book online in advance for the best ticket price.
| Type | Online (best value) | In person |
|---|---|---|
| Members | FREE | FREE |
| Adult | £7.50 | £8.50 |
| Concession | £6.00 | £6.80 |
| Child (7 - 15 years) | £4.50 | £5.00 |
More ticket types including family, Explorer Pass and partner organisation tickets are available.
How to get here
The castle is in Rothesay town centre.
View Rothesay Castle on a Google Map
Journey Planners
Search for National Cycle Network routes with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust
Plan your journey by public transport using Traveline Scotland
Address
Castlehill Street
Rothesay
Isle of Bute
PA20 0DA
National Grid reference:
NS 088 645
Contact
01700 504 827Accessibility
Carers' tickets
Visitors with disabilities are charged standard admission rates (adult/concession/child). Proof of disability is not required. Up to two accompanying carers receive free entry per transaction.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
Parking
The site has no specific visitor parking. Visitors can use the drop off point at the entrance.
Visitor centre
The shop has ramped access.
Monument
The castle is reached across a wooden bridge with a slight upward slope.
At ground level is a courtyard, which contains a chapel and a residential tower, later converted into a dovecot.
The courtyard has grass and paved surfaces.
Access to the dungeon is down a metal ladder of 10 rungs.
The gatehouse upper level is reached by two sets of stairs, one straight and one spiral staircase. Both may have uneven steps.
Toilets
Nearest adapted toilet is at the Rothesay ferry terminal, about 200m away.
Facilities
- Accessible by public transport
- Shop
- Water bottle refill
- Available to hire for weddings and events
- Toilets
Help protect Scotland's historic places
Historic places nearby
St Mary's Chapel, Rothesay
Admire the monumental tombs of a ruined chapel that served a mighty castle and medieval parish.
1 miles
St Blane’s Church
Imagine the monastic life at a church founded on one of the earliest Christian sites in Scotland.
7 miles
Skelmorlie Aisle and Largs Old Parish Church
Study the beautiful painted ceiling and monumental tomb of a 1600s private place of worship
8 miles
Skipness Castle and Chapel
Explore a ruin which features some of the oldest castle buildings in Scotland, then stroll to a well-preserved shoreside chapel.
12 miles
Lochranza Castle
In a stunning location in Arran, this lonely castle incorporates a rare hall-house of the 1200s.
13 miles
Closed Autumn/Winter
Kilmodan Sculptured Stones
Admire the carvings on this collection of late-medieval sculptured stones.
14 miles
