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Golspie · Castle
Dunrobin Castle with kids
Choose a falconry display first, then plan the castle rooms and gardens around it. Dunrobin combines a furnished castle, coastal gardens and a museum near Golspie, with daily birds-of-prey displays during the season. Pushchairs have to stay in the cloakroom for the castle tour, so bring a front carrier if your baby needs carrying.
- Best for
- School-age children; younger ones can visit
- Cost
- Paid admission; under-6s free
- Weather
- Indoor rooms; gardens and falconry outside
- Pace your visit
- Leave time either side of a display
Our family take
The birds-of-prey display gives children something to look forward to between the castle rooms and gardens. School-age children with an interest in birds or history are likely to get the most from it. With younger children, keep the room tour short and leave time outside. It is a weaker choice if you need the buggy with you throughout, step-free access indoors or a whole day out of the rain.
- Baby and buggy reality. Pushchairs can be used in the grounds but must be left in the cloakroom before entering the castle. Front carriers are recommended and back carriers are not permitted inside.
- Access. Some areas of the castle cannot be reached by wheelchair users or people with limited mobility. Garden access can be arranged on request; contact the castle before travelling.
- Museum heads-up. The museum contains a large historic animal-taxidermy collection. Some children may find it fascinating and others may prefer to skip it.
The practical details
Plan your visit
- 2026 opening
- Open daily from 1 April to 31 October. April–September: 10am–5.30pm, last entry 4.30pm. October: 10.30am–5pm, last entry 4pm. The castle and gardens close from 1 November to 31 March.
- 2026 admission
- Adults aged 17+ £16, concessions £14, children aged 6–16 £10. Family ticket £47 for 2 adults and up to 3 children. Under-6s and carers enter free.
- What tickets include
- Admission includes the castle, museum and gardens. A standard gardens-only ticket is not offered. Buy online (recommended) or on arrival.
- Falconry times
- Daily displays at 11.30am and 2.30pm during the April–October season. Check the castle’s social notices for changes before travelling.
- Parking
- Free parking on site, with space for approximately 200 cars and four coaches.
ParkingGift shopBaby changingCastle MuseumCloakroomFormal Gardens
8 October 2026
Visit official websiteA little more detail
Make it work for your family
The rooms, gardens and falconry
Plan around the falconry display
The flying display takes place on the castle lawn, with the falconer explaining how the birds hunt. Pick the morning or afternoon show, then leave time for the rooms and gardens either side of it.
A dry day gives you more chance to enjoy the gardens and outdoor display. The rooms and museum provide indoor parts of the visit, but this is a weaker choice when you want to stay under cover all day.
Dunrobin Castle’s falconry update · Checked 8 October 2026
What the ticket covers
The castle tour is self-guided through 18 rooms, so you can move at your children’s pace. Admission also covers the formal gardens and museum; you get more from the ticket if your family wants several parts of the visit.
Historic Houses members can enter the castle and gardens free with proof of membership. RHS members have garden-only access with proof of membership, but need a standard ticket for the castle as well. The Historic Scotland Explorer Pass is not accepted.
Pushchairs, bags and access
Pushchairs can be used around the grounds but must be left in the cloakroom before entering the castle rooms. Front carriers are recommended for babies, while back carriers are not permitted inside.
Bags larger than A4 (21 × 29.7cm) are not allowed in the castle rooms. The free cloakroom has limited space and a flight of stairs at the entrance; collect belongings before last entry. Keep what you need for the room tour in a small bag.
Wheelchair access inside the historic castle is limited. Access to the gardens can be arranged on request, so contact the team before travelling when a step-free route is essential. The castle does not provide wheelchairs.
Baby-changing facilities are available; ask staff where to find the nearest one.
Museum and food
The museum mixes archaeological and local-history material with a large collection of historic animal taxidermy. Give sensitive children a warning before entering and be ready to skip this section if it will upset them. It opens from 10.30am to 4pm, so leave time before closing if you want to see it.
The tearoom serves meals, sandwiches, soup, cakes, pastries and ice cream. It is available to castle ticket holders, so do not plan it as a separate food stop without admission. In October it closes at 4pm, an hour before the castle.
Getting here and before you go
Getting here
The castle is on the A9, half a mile north of Golspie and around 50 miles north of Inverness. Its visitor page links to bus, coach and rail information; check current connections before setting out without a car.
Golspie is the simplest place to look for a stop before or after the castle. Dornoch is another option further south if you are continuing that way; leave space in your day rather than adding a long detour.
Seasonal checks and dogs
Check the castle’s Facebook or Instagram for last-minute opening or closure notices, which are posted there rather than on the website. Recheck admission and opening dates if you are planning beyond the 2026 season.
Dogs are not allowed in the castle or formal gardens, except assistance dogs. Make other arrangements if your family is travelling with a pet.
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