Edzell Castle and Garden
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Temporarily closed until further notice
Edzell Castle and Garden
Edzell Castle and Garden
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
Temporarily closed. The beautiful walled garden at Edzell is one of Scotland's unique sights, created by Sir David Lindsay in 1604. Edzell was home to the Lindsays, a gifted yet tragic noble family whose head became the Earl of Crawford and one of the most powerful men in the realm. The Lindsay’s most famous guests include Mary Queen of Scots in 1562 and her son James VI in 1580 and 1589. The 'Pleasance' is a delightful formal garden with walls decorated with sculptured stone panels, flower boxes and niches for nesting birds. Explore the summer house, the great garden, the 16th century tower house and Lindsay Aisle - the family burial vault.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
172 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
50
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Aly
Scotland, UK9 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
We visited this afternoon and it was a really lovely experience. We brought our dogs with us and although they must stay on the leash they had a great time too !! They can be walked all over the castle and gardens which is really refreshing as most people are very stuffy about bringing dogs.
The assistant manning the shop was a delight, very helpful and friendly even though it was right at the end of her day. She went out of her way to advise my sister who is staying here in Scotland for six weeks, about prices for visiting other Historic Scotland sites. The shop and bathrooms were very clean and tidy.
The castle was lovely, no interior mostly ruined but really well presented with information, well kept gardens and resident peacocks. It's a really nice, peaceful spot for a walk around and we took some great photographs.
It's very reasonably priced, easy to find and a really good location to maybe stop off on your way home from another destination as we did, as it's not a whole days worth of castle-visiting but still really well worth it.
The assistant manning the shop was a delight, very helpful and friendly even though it was right at the end of her day. She went out of her way to advise my sister who is staying here in Scotland for six weeks, about prices for visiting other Historic Scotland sites. The shop and bathrooms were very clean and tidy.
The castle was lovely, no interior mostly ruined but really well presented with information, well kept gardens and resident peacocks. It's a really nice, peaceful spot for a walk around and we took some great photographs.
It's very reasonably priced, easy to find and a really good location to maybe stop off on your way home from another destination as we did, as it's not a whole days worth of castle-visiting but still really well worth it.
Written 4 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew G
York309 contributions
Sept 2019
Impressed with the castle, extensive sandstone ruins; more so with the walled garden, which, even at the back end of summer, was a delight. The garden, and its sumptuous wall carvings, was the brainchild of Sir David Lindsay, the laird whose family later fell on hard times. The castle’s uppermost floors are accessible. They offer fine views, not least of the immaculate garden, in the care of just one gardener. Free parking but no refreshments available.
Written 14 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aliballyb
Elgin, UK106 contributions
May 2019
Visited mid week on a rather dull day. Beautiful grounds although not in full flower when we visited.Castle ruins well worth climbing as you get brilliant views of the garden. Brilliant small shop with lovely toilets. Very helpful lady in shop as well.
Written 5 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa L
Dubai, United Arab Emirates82 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
My family and I had an opportunity to explore a little of Scotland before an international sports tournament. Once our accommodation was secured I set out researching what we could visit, using TripAdvisor as a main guide. Edzell Castle, with others' photos caught my eye. My mum was with me and she is an avid gardener, pouring her heart and soul into her garden. The photos of Edzell Castle's gardens meant this castle ruin was a must.
Easy to get to, ample free parking, a quaint visitors information cottage all greeted us on arrival. The internal sat-nav in the hire car was a little out, but I learned when you couldn't see the attraction, you carried on a little further and hey-presto, you would see a sign for the attraction.
The lady at the visitors centre was part of the charm of the place; friendly, informative - she clearly loved her job. And adding a special touch, we are from Dubai and she had lived in the UAE! Small world. After hearing a bit of the history of the castle, folks have an opportunity of dressing up in traditional clothes of the period and go explore the castle ruins. They also have prepared worksheets for the kids - to keep them searching, exploring and learning facts about Edzell.
It is a beautiful castle ruin, the stories are fascinating - even Mary Queen of Scots visited Edzell in 1562 as the 19 year old explored her queendom. "It is ane excellent dwelling, a great hous, delicat gardine with walls sumptuously built of hewen stone polisht, with pictures and coats of armes in the walls..." Edzell Castle was the luxurious home of Sir David Lindsay. The highlight of the visit has got to be the gardens. Exquisitely kept by 1 gardener today - you can see how much the gardens are loved and cared for.
Sir David Lindsay had great wealth and superb taste; and his garden is a display of this. "His beautifully crafted "pleasance" is designed to stimulate your mind and senses." Bird boxes were made in the stone walls for birds to nest in, as well as flower boxes; therefore as you strolled in the garden you would hear the birdsong and smell the blooms - what could be more relaxing. To stimulate the mind Lindsay had sculptured plaques on the garden walls representing the planetary deities, the liberal arts and the cardinal virtues.
I highly recommend a visit to Edzell Castle if you are visiting Scotland.
Easy to get to, ample free parking, a quaint visitors information cottage all greeted us on arrival. The internal sat-nav in the hire car was a little out, but I learned when you couldn't see the attraction, you carried on a little further and hey-presto, you would see a sign for the attraction.
The lady at the visitors centre was part of the charm of the place; friendly, informative - she clearly loved her job. And adding a special touch, we are from Dubai and she had lived in the UAE! Small world. After hearing a bit of the history of the castle, folks have an opportunity of dressing up in traditional clothes of the period and go explore the castle ruins. They also have prepared worksheets for the kids - to keep them searching, exploring and learning facts about Edzell.
It is a beautiful castle ruin, the stories are fascinating - even Mary Queen of Scots visited Edzell in 1562 as the 19 year old explored her queendom. "It is ane excellent dwelling, a great hous, delicat gardine with walls sumptuously built of hewen stone polisht, with pictures and coats of armes in the walls..." Edzell Castle was the luxurious home of Sir David Lindsay. The highlight of the visit has got to be the gardens. Exquisitely kept by 1 gardener today - you can see how much the gardens are loved and cared for.
Sir David Lindsay had great wealth and superb taste; and his garden is a display of this. "His beautifully crafted "pleasance" is designed to stimulate your mind and senses." Bird boxes were made in the stone walls for birds to nest in, as well as flower boxes; therefore as you strolled in the garden you would hear the birdsong and smell the blooms - what could be more relaxing. To stimulate the mind Lindsay had sculptured plaques on the garden walls representing the planetary deities, the liberal arts and the cardinal virtues.
I highly recommend a visit to Edzell Castle if you are visiting Scotland.
Written 28 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alice M
Boston, MA88 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Very nice castle to visit for an hour or so. Good signage about the family and the ruins. Pretty garden as well. Much quieter than the other castles so very peaceful.
Written 28 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmyatt01757
Kennebunkport, ME122 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This castle is so peaceful. Its stones are a beautiful red with light streaking - quite unique. There are secure, wooden stairs so you can climb up high, explore all the rooms, and view the lovely countryside. It stands alone in a field with magnificent gardens and also flowers imbedded in the walls. There is a resident peacock! The summer house in the corner is adorable. There's a little museum in the gift shop house that is informative about the Lindsay family, the castle, and castle building in general. Highly recommended. And, guess what? My cousin proposed to his girl friend there - how romantic is that?
Written 28 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet M
Glasgow, UK329 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Although it poured with rain while we were there, it didn't dampen our visit here. Castle very interesting and fortunately the rain went off by the time we were ready to view the gardens. The gardens were well maintained and very picturesque. When paying our entrance fee the pleasant woman offered us period costumes to wear to get into the era of the castle !
Written 28 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gavin R
Brechin, UK46 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
We've visited a few times and it's always a good trip. The ruins themselves are accessible and interestingly described on the info boards.
The gardens make this an interesting trip, with the design elements given lots of background by Historic Scotland. The whole site does a really good job of placing the castle and its owners in context with the political and cultural changes over the centuries.
The gardens make this an interesting trip, with the design elements given lots of background by Historic Scotland. The whole site does a really good job of placing the castle and its owners in context with the political and cultural changes over the centuries.
Written 27 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
auntieW
Aberdeen, UK38 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
I popped in here on my way to Invermark for a planned walk to Queens Wells. The old ruins are well preserved, the garden is immaculate, there is a beautiful resident ostrich, and I have to say the exterior wall panels are fascinating. They show the Seven Cardinal Virtues, the Liberal Arts and the Planetary Deities.
The lady at reception was really friendly, chatty and knowledgeable too.
The lady at reception was really friendly, chatty and knowledgeable too.
Written 31 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrantAndLiz
Inverness, UK70 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
This place is very beautiful: the ruins of the castle, built in 1604 by the Lindsay family, sit in the midst of immaculately kept Renaissance gardens which we understand are the only ones remaining of this style in Scotland. Beautifully mown lawns surround the castle and trees offer welcome shade on a warm day. Parts of the castle are still accessible and information boards tell the history of the castle and its family. We were met at the ticket counter by a really lovely, welcoming lady who is clearly passionate about her job and who made us feel special just for being there. It won’t take you very long to cover this site but it’s so worth a visit.
Written 30 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My sister and I are Lindsays and are going to be in Edinburgh from 27 July to 29 July. I understand that the castle tour is closed because of renovations; however, is it possible to see the outside of the castle and visit the garden? I hope. We are both in our late 70's and this will probably be our last chance.
Written 12 June 2023
My sister and I are Lindsays and are going to be in Edinburgh the from 27 July to 29 July. I understand that the castle tour is closed because of renovations; however is it possible to see the outside of the castle and visit the garden? I hope.
Written 12 June 2023
We are planning a trip in September and wanted to know the days and hours it is open.
Written 16 July 2016
The Castle is open everyday until Sept 30 from 9.30-5.30.
(the ticket office MAY close for lunch for an hour as it did when we were there, so toilets would not be available then, as they are inside the centre)
Written 17 July 2016
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