Dunrobin Castle, located near Golspie in the Northern Highlands of Scotland, is the region’s largest residence, boasting 189 rooms. Dating back to the early 1300s, it stands as one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses and has been the ancestral home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. Dunrobin Castle
Architecture and Interior
The castle’s design reflects French château influences, particularly evident in its conical spires and ornate detailing. The interior features a grand entrance hall adorned with a frieze of armorials from past Earls of Sutherland, a spacious dining room with an Italian Grisaille frieze, and a library housing over 10,000 books. Notably, the drawing room offers panoramic views of the gardens and the sea. Wikipedia
Gardens
Completed in 1850, the formal gardens were inspired by the French formal style of the Gardens of Versailles. Each parterre is arranged around a circular pool with a fountain, creating an optical illusion from above that makes them appear more expansive. The gardens have maintained their original layout since their creation. Wikipedia
Museum
The on-site museum, housed in an 18th-century summer-house adjoining the gardens, displays a diverse collection of items, including trophy heads from family hunting expeditions, ethnographic artifacts from around the world, and significant archaeological finds. The museum retains its Victorian-Edwardian arrangement, offering a glimpse into the eclectic interests of the castle’s former residents. Wikipedia
Visiting Information
Dunrobin Castle is open to visitors from April to October each year, with daily falconry displays held in the gardens by a resident falconer. The castle is situated approximately 0.5 miles north of Golspie on the A9, with ample free parking available. For those using public transport, the Dunrobin Castle train station on the Far North line operates during the summer months. Standout Scotland
For more details, including ticket prices and specific opening times, please visit the official Dunrobin Castle website. Dunrobin Castle, VisitScotland
In 1925, renowned golf course designer James Braid was invited to enhance the course. His improvements, completed by 1926, included adjusting the layout, adding bunkers, and relocating greens. These changes have stood the test of time, with the course layout remaining largely unchanged since then. Golspie Golf Club
The course measures just over 6,000 yards with a par of 70. It starts over meadowland, transitions into links along the Dornoch Firth, moves into tree-lined heathland around the turn, and returns to parkland and links by the end of the round. This variety requires strategic ball placement and offers panoramic views from practically every hole. Golfbreaks, Tripadvisor
Golspie Golf Club is situated between Brora and Royal Dornoch golf clubs, making it part of a special trio of historic courses in the region. The club is known for its friendly Highland welcome and is consistently ranked among Scotland’s top 100 courses. Golfbreaks
For more information, including booking and membership details, you can visit their official website. Golspie Golf Club