Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate, Banchory

Explore the Stunning Grounds of Crathes Castle Crathes Castle´s walled garden is really eight gardens, ranging from the formal to the modern. The massive yew hedges were planted as early as 1702, while the Golden Garden was introduced by the Trust in 1973. Most famous of all are the June Borders, two lavish beds of herbaceous colour with the castle itself as a backdrop. Follow one of the marked trails out into the surrounding countryside. There are woodland, farmland and freshwater habitats where roe deer, red squirrels, woodpeckers, buzzards, kingfishers and herons may be seen, and on rare occasions a glimpse of an otter.