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Website visitors since 15/1/03

updated 15/5/05

Just north of the Milton of Crathes are the grounds and beautiful gardens of Crathes Castle.

Robert the Bruce gifted the lands of Ley in 1323 to the Burnett family who later built this fortified tower house in 1553-96.

Some of the rooms retain their original painted ceilings and in the Great Hall is the ancient Horn of Leys, supposedly a symbol of the grant made by King Robert.

The walled gardens incorporate herbaceous borders and great yew hedges that are fine examples of topiary dating from as early as 1702.  Note that an extensive programme of surgery on the yew hedges commenced in 2004.

In 1951, the property of Crathes, comprising 215 Ha (531 acres) was given to the National Trust for Scotland.

NTS operates a shop, small museum and tearoom. A new tourist attraction “Go Ape” is planned.