Dunrobin Castle is a stately home dating from the 1200s in Golspie, Highland, Scotland, and the historic seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting.
This Scottish castle is a highlight of a Dunrobin Castle and Easter Ross small group tour from Inverness.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 10am-5.30pm daily April-September (last entry 4.30pm); 10.30am-5pm daily October (last entry 4pm); closed November-March |
| Admission | Adult £16, Concession £14, Child (6+) £10, Family £47; children under 6 free |
| Address | Dunrobin Castle, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6SF, Scotland |
| Nearest public transport | Dunrobin Castle railway station (200 metres); Stagecoach bus X99 stops on request |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
| Property type | Historic castle with French château-style architecture, formal gardens and museum |
Dunrobin Castle opening hours
Dunrobin Castle is open daily from 1 April to 31 October. From April to September, opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. In October, hours are 10.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. The castle closes for winter from November to March.
The museum is open from 10.30am to 4pm daily during the castle’s operating season. Falconry displays take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm daily from April to October, weather permitting.
Why book the Dunrobin Castle & Easter Ross small-group tour from Inverness?
- Visit historic Dunrobin Castle: Explore the grand Highland stately home with its formal gardens, impressive architecture and fascinating history.
- Picturesque Easter Ross scenery: Enjoy scenic views across the Cromarty Firth and rolling Highland countryside as you travel through the region.
- Small-group experience: A limited group size makes for a relaxed day trip with opportunities to engage with your guide and ask questions.
- Local insights and commentary: Learn about the area’s history, culture and natural highlights from a knowledgeable driver-guide.
- Convenient return from Inverness: Includes comfortable coach transport so you can focus on sightseeing without worrying about logistics.
Dunrobin Castle ticket prices
Like other Scottish castles such as Urquhart Castle and Eilean Donan Castle, Dunrobin Castle charges for entry.
Admission prices are £16 for adults (17+), £14 for concessions, £10 for children aged 6 and over, and £47 for a family ticket (2 adults plus up to 3 children). Children under 6 enter free.
Tickets include entry to the castle, formal gardens and museum. Tickets can be purchased online (recommended) or on arrival at the ticket office. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in February 2026.
How to get to Dunrobin Castle
By train: Dunrobin Castle has its own railway station on the Far North Line, located 200 metres from the castle entrance. The station is a request stop, meaning passengers must inform the conductor before arrival or signal the driver from the platform. ScotRail operates approximately three trains daily each direction between Inverness and Thurso, stopping at Dunrobin Castle. The journey from Inverness takes approximately 2 hours 13 minutes. Train tickets cost £30-70 return. Services run Monday to Saturday only.
By bus: Stagecoach bus route X99 operates hourly between Inverness and Thurso. Although Dunrobin Castle is not a scheduled stop, drivers will stop on request if notified in advance or when flagged from the roadside opposite the castle entrance. The journey from Inverness takes approximately 1 hour 24 minutes. Bus fare is approximately £17-23. Service operates daily.
By car: From Inverness, take the A9 north for 50 miles. Dunrobin Castle is located half a mile north of Golspie on the A9. The drive takes approximately 1 hour. From the south, continue on the A9 past Dornoch. Free parking is available on-site.
By taxi: Taxis from Golspie to Dunrobin Castle take approximately 5 minutes and cost £9-12. From Inverness, taxis cost £55-75 and take 1 hour.
The other option is to visit as part of a day tour from Inverness.
Parking at Dunrobin Castle
Free parking is available on-site for approximately 200 cars and four coaches. The car park is located adjacent to the entrance. No parking restrictions apply, and spaces are generally available throughout the day, though the car park may fill during peak summer periods (July-August). No parking is permitted along the A9.
How long to spend at Dunrobin Castle
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at Dunrobin Castle. This allows time for a self-guided tour of the state rooms and older castle sections (approximately 45-60 minutes), exploring the formal gardens (30-45 minutes), visiting the Victorian museum (20-30 minutes), and watching a falconry display (30 minutes). Visitors taking refreshments in the tearoom or browsing the gift shop may extend their stay to 3-4 hours.
Accessibility at Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle has limited accessibility due to its historic structure. Several areas are not accessible to wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility. The castle features stairs, narrow doorways and uneven floors throughout. Wheelchair access to the gardens can be arranged on request by contacting the castle in advance on 01408 633177.
Visitors with specific accessibility requirements should contact the castle before visiting to discuss access arrangements and alternative viewing options.
What to see at Dunrobin Castle
The castle tour begins at the main staircase leading to the state rooms on the first floor. These include the dining room, set with family silver, and the library containing over 10,000 books. The tour continues through smaller rooms in the older sections of the castle, dating from the 1200s. The castle displays period furniture, paintings, and decorative arts reflecting its history as the seat of the Sutherland family. The architecture combines Scottish Baronial style with French château influences, featuring conical spires designed by Sir Charles Barry in the 1840s.
The formal gardens, modelled on Versailles, were laid out in the 1850s. The gardens provide views over the Moray Firth and contain seasonal plantings, topiary and landscaped terraces. Access to the gardens is from the entrance hall.
The Victorian museum, originally built as a summerhouse, displays the family’s collection of big game hunting trophies, ethnographic items from Africa and other regions, and archaeological relics. The museum houses an important collection of Pictish symbol stones and cross-slabs dating from 1,500 years ago. Additional exhibits cover local geology, gold panning at Kildonan and the Brora coal mine. The museum retains its Victorian arrangement.
Falconry displays take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm daily (April-October), weather permitting. Demonstrations are conducted by the resident falconer and feature birds of prey including golden eagles, falcons and owls.
The tearoom serves homemade soup, sandwiches, hot meals, cakes, pastries and ice cream. Opening hours are 10am-4.30pm April-September and 10.30am-4pm in October. The gift shop stocks Scottish crafts, woollens, hats, scarves, toiletries and souvenirs. Shop hours are 10am-5pm May-September and 10.30am-4.30pm April and October.
Practical tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Purchase tickets online in advance for the best prices and guaranteed entry. |
| Time your visit to coincide with falconry displays at 11.30am or 2.30pm for the full experience. |
| If travelling by train to Dunrobin Castle station, inform the conductor before arrival as it is a request stop only. |
| If using bus X99, notify the driver in advance that you wish to stop at Dunrobin Castle, as it is not a scheduled stop. |
| The castle has limited accessibility; contact in advance if you require wheelchair access to the gardens. |
| Visit between April and September for the longest opening hours and best weather for exploring the gardens. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Dunrobin Castle suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 6-16 pay reduced admission (under 6s free). A toy treasure hunt is available around the house for children. Falconry displays appeal to all ages. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | Advance booking is recommended but not essential. Tickets can be purchased online or on arrival. |
| Is Dunrobin Castle open on Sundays? | Yes, when the castle is open (April-October). The castle operates daily including Sundays. |
| Can you take photographs inside? | Photography policies were not specified. Check with staff on arrival. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Dogs on leads are typically allowed in the grounds but not inside the castle. Confirm current policy on arrival. |
| Is there a café? | Yes. The tearoom serves food and drinks from 10am-4.30pm April-September and 10.30am-4pm in October. |
Things to do near Dunrobin Castle
Dornoch (10 miles): Historic town with 13th-century cathedral, medieval streets, Royal Dornoch Golf Club, and award-winning Blue Flag beach. Free access to town and cathedral (donations welcome).
Falls of Shin (25 miles): Waterfall on the River Shin with salmon leaping visible May-October. Woodland walks and visitor centre with café. Free entry.
Golspie (1 mile): Coastal village with sandy beach, shops, and the Big Burn Walk. Golspie Tower and statue of the First Duke of Sutherland on Ben Bhraggie provide panoramic views. Free access.
Clynelish Distillery, Brora (8 miles): Whisky distillery offering tours and tastings. Tickets required, advance booking recommended.
Carn Liath Broch, Golspie (2 miles): Iron Age broch (circular stone tower) ruins dating from approximately 100 BC. Free access via short walk from roadside.
More Scottish Highlands travel
Other Scottish Highlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- How to visit Plodda Falls in Glen Affric.
- Live out your Outlander fantasies at Beauly Priory and the Clava Cairns.
- Explore Scottish history at Fort George and Culloden Battlefield.
- How – and why – to get to the Commando Memorial in the Scottish Highlands.
- The logistics of stopping at the Loch Tulla Viewpoint.
