Dunnottar Castle Reviews Summary

Category: Castle

Address: Stonehaven, AB39 2TL, United Kingdom

Phone: +441569766320

Rating: 4.8
based on 472 reviews.

Accessibility

Pros:

  • "Pathways are accessible, well maintained."
  • "There is parking available nearby for caravans, motorcycles and cars."
  • "Parking and disabled parking available."
  • "Free parking with plenty of spaces."
  • "Car parking was set back off the road with space at the front for motorhomes and coaches."
  • "Car parking only few minutes form the castle. Disable car parking and I am sure with good will you can access with a wheelchair the surrounding areas which are absolutely breath taken."
  • "There are also public toilets in the car park and also in the castle grounds."

Cons:

  • "It's definitely not accessible to all, as you must go down many stairs and then back up many stairs before you're to the main area."
  • "Due to the Castle's location there are loads of steps down & up in both directions so will not be accessible for everyone."
  • "Access is only via stairs which can be slippy in the wet."
  • "Not recommended for anyone with mobility issues. Buy the official book- no gift shop available."
  • "It has over 200 steps from parking lot to the castle entrance and many more steps within the castle grounds."
  • "Please note there are many steep steps both to get to the Castle and within."
  • "Would be very difficult for those with walking problems."

Value

Pros:

  • "The entry price (£7 per person) is very reasonable given the extent and quality of the ruins."
  • "£9.50 for adults and £4.50 for kids aged 5-15... Well worth the money...the views are pretty spectacular also."
  • "Castle entrance is £7, but it is only if you actually going onto the castle island."
  • "£7 entrance ticket really worths it."
  • "Only £8.00 for adult entry is exceptional value."
  • "Excellent value for money. £7 per adult, £3 per child, family pass for 2 adults and 2 children was £17."
  • "We happened to go as part of the Visit Scotland initiative so it was only £3.50 each (student half price) - well worth it."

Cons:

  • "The parking situation wasn't amazing so get there early or go off peak."
  • "Not a huge car park & 1st time we visited it was full, no other alternative parking so we had to come back next day."
  • "The downside is that the carpark is rather small and often full so you might have to park on the side of the road-if you can find a spot because everybody tries to do the same."
  • "This is a very beautiful place to visit a bit pricey at £9.50 a head but I suppose that's the cost of maintaining historical landmarks."
  • "The castle and surrounding area is 5☆ but having paid nearly £20 entry for my friend and I, I am left wondering where all the money goes."
  • "We felt the fee of about £10 per adult and £5 per child was a bit steep for all the time we'd have been in there."
  • "Rather disappointed they're charging £7.50 per person to walk around ruins that could take 5 minutes."

Facilities

Pros:

  • "Souvenir book available and is very reasonable at £5."
  • "There are toilets in the castle and in the car park."
  • "Facilities available in the carpark and at the castle, and a cafe at the carpark."
  • "There is a nice cafe (food truck) there before you enter that made great coffee but also has food."
  • "Good facilities including a catering trailer by the car park which offers great value food."
  • "There is a coffee shop by the free carpark and toilets within the Castle itself."
  • "Public toilets were available and clean."

Cons:

  • "Toilets (inside / for paying customers) were dirty and out of paper."
  • "There is a small toilet (1 male & 2 female cabins) but you really want to go somewhere else and this should only be a last resort for you."
  • "Only issue that I couldn’t find toilets there."
  • "When we visited they would only accept cash."
  • "The only way to get a ticket was online, with limited to no reception on site."
  • "Some rooms are still closed off either because of social distancing it from a risk of falling rocks."
  • "It could have been more informative/interactive too as there were empty buildings with not much said about them."

Experience

Pros:

  • "The Castle is well maintained with phenomenonal views."
  • "The dramatic coastal scenery and crashing waves provide a backdrop that feels straight out of a fairytale."
  • "Fantastic castle with very interesting history. Especially with regard to the Scottish Crown jewels."
  • "The views looking out to sea are incredible!"
  • "A lovely castle. Amazing views and interesting history surrounding the castle."
  • "Absolutely stunning heritage site."
  • "I highly recommend planning a visit to Dunnottar Castle when in Aberdeen."

Cons:

  • "Beautiful castle, we were allowed in at 4pm because it closed at 5pm. At around 430pm the attendants appeared and we felt like we were being herded out."
  • "Only complaint was it gets quite muddy near the old boys toilets and I slipped quite badly."
  • "The beach is not that clean but it's good to have some time there because of the arch view of mountain surrounding the beach."
  • "The castle ruins were so lovely and mysterious, the atmosphere of the place was second to none."
  • "Staff were totally disinterested in finding a solution and many people left."
  • "Really the only downside was the stream of obnoxiously loud Americans infesting the place, though that's no fault of the castle or staff."
  • "We unfortunately hit the most foggy day in history so the views weren't as good as they could've been."

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