Urquhart Castle

About the museum

Urquhart Castle stands on a promontory on the western shore of Loch Ness. It was one of the largest castles in Scotland and served as a medieval fortress for around 500 years. There was a fortification on the site long before the stone castle, and the ruins today show more than 1,000 years of history.

In the 13th century the Durward family built the first stone castle. It was captured by Edward I of England in 1296, and it changed hands between Scottish and English forces during the Wars of Independence until Robert Bruce took it in 1307. As a royal castle it was raided several times by the Lords of the Isles, who seized it in 1395 and 1452. In 1509 James IV granted it to the Grant family, on condition that they rebuilt it, and the Grants held it through further raids.

During the Jacobite risings of the late 17th century the castle was garrisoned for the government. When the troops left, they blew up parts of it so that it could not be reused, and the building slowly fell into ruin. It passed into state care in the early 20th century and is now looked after by Historic Environment Scotland.

Visitors start in the modern visitor centre, which has an exhibition, a film, a café and a shop, and then walk down to the ruins. The castle includes the Great Hall, a prison cell, a full-size trebuchet and the Grant Tower, which gives views over the loch and the Great Glen.

Highlights

• Ruins of a castle beside Loch Ness with views along the Great Glen
• Grant Tower, the best-preserved part of the castle
• Full-size working-style trebuchet and Great Hall
• Visitor centre with exhibition, film, café and shop
• Audio guide included in the ticket price

Permanent exhibition

• Visitor centre exhibition and film – An exhibition and film in the visitor centre introduce the castle's history before visitors walk down to the ruins.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Historic Environment Scotland

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are the online adult, concession and child prices; the same tickets cost £16, £13 and £8 when bought at the castle. Family and carer tickets are offered but their prices are not shown on the page. Members of Historic Environment Scotland enter free, and members of English Heritage, Cadw and Manx National Heritage get free or discounted entry. The Explorer Pass is also accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The car park is level with accessible bays. The visitor centre, shop, café and castle are linked by a steep tarmac path, and paths in the castle are tarmac or bound gravel. The Grant Tower is reached by wooden stairs, and the early castle ruins and the dovecot by a steep stepped path. Two wheelchairs and two mobility scooters can be borrowed on a first come, first served basis (no booking). Benches are placed around the site and a limited number of ear defenders are available. Only assistance dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Family tickets are offered; the castle website lists no specific children's activities.

Getting there & parking

The castle is about 2 miles from Drumnadrochit, off the A82 on the western shore of Loch Ness. A bicycle rack is provided. Visitors arriving by private boat must book the jetty mooring online in advance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The visitor centre has a café, a shop, toilets, self-service tea and coffee and a water bottle refill point; there is a picnic area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit