Don’t Miss Dunrobin Castle on the John O’Groats Trail

Don’t Miss Dunrobin Castle on the John O’Groats Trail

I always knew from the planning of my journey of walking John o’ Groats to Land’s End that I wanted to visit Dunrobin Castle in Sutherland, Scotland.

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Is Dunrobin Castle and Gardens worth visiting? I say yes!

I love a castle.

And the beauty of it is, Dunrobin Castle sits right on the John o’ Groats Trail, making it an easy and very tempting stop if you’re walking this route.

Around 9km after leaving Brora, you get your first view of Dunrobin Castle from the beach. Seeing it appear ahead of me while walking along the coastline felt incredible, like I had worked hard for this view arriving by foot.

Walking through the forest to the castle added to that feeling. It felt like I’d found a secret entrance, while everyone else arrived through the main gates and car park.

After days of walking, approaching Dunrobin Castle this way made the moment feel like an achievement.

Where is Dunrobin Castle & how to reach it on the John O’Groats Trail

Dunrobin Castle & Gardens sits on the east coast of the Scottish Highlands, in the Sutherland region, overlooking the Moray Firth.

The closest town to Dunrobin Castle is Golspie, which lies just one mile (1.6km) to the south.

To the north is the small coastal town of Brora, around 5.6 miles (9km) away, and this is where I walked from on my John O’ Groats to Land’s End journey.

Leaving Brora town centre, the route initially follows the A9, which may sound off-putting, but I found the traffic to be very quiet in the early morning.

The road runs alongside the railway line, and after a while you’ll come to a track where you can cross the railway and re-join the John O’Groats Trail.

Once you’re back on the trail, it is straightforward.

When walking south, the coastline stays on your left, making it impossible to go wrong.

So I thought!

If you are not watching closely there is a section that can cause you to drift to the right into some very long ferns and very stingy nettles! There is a trodden path leading into these ferns which makes it clear I wasn’t the first person to do that!

Along the way, you’ll pass Carn Liath, an Iron Age broch and from there it’s roughly a 1.2 miles (2km) walk to the start of the path that leads you inland towards Dunrobin Castle.

What to expect at Dunrobin Castle & Gardens

As I walked through the forest towards the entrance of Dunrobin Castle, its French influence was already impossible to miss. The tall conical spires and turrets can be seen ever so slightly through the trees, and I later learned that the castle was intentionally designed to resemble a French château.

For any walkers carrying backpacks, you’ll be pleased to hear that there is a place to check in your bag after paying your entrance fee.

I’d also like to take a moment here to thank one of my supporters who specifically contributed to my Buy Me a Coffee page to cover the entrance fee for Dunrobin Castle. Your support genuinely helps me continue creating both video and written content, and I’m incredibly grateful.

Once inside, you can explore a series of beautifully preserved rooms that reflect centuries of history from the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland.

After exploring the castle, you can make your way down the steps to the formal gardens.

The gardens were planned to reflect the grandeur of Versailles, with a strong focus on symmetry and formal design.

From the garden terraces, you’re treated to views over the Moray Firth, and you can clearly see where your walk continues along the John O’Groats Trail.

Depending on the season, visitors may also be able to watch the falconry display, which takes place in the castle grounds. The display typically lasts around 25 to 30 minutes and is usually held twice daily, adding another memorable layer to the visit.

Plan your stay near Dunrobin Castle

If you’re planning to spend more time exploring Dunrobin Castle and this stretch of the Scottish Highlands, Brora makes an ideal base.

Just a short distance north of the castle, Brora is a small coastal village with accommodation options ranging from hotels and B&Bs to self-catering stays.

It’s also well connected by train and has local shops, cafes, and places to eat, making it a practical and comfortable stop whether you’re walking the John O’Groats Trail or visiting by car.

Alternately, if you wish to stay in Golspie

Golspie makes a great alternative base if you’re visiting Dunrobin Castle or walking the John O’Groats Trail, and it’s actually the closest town to the castle, sitting just a mile to the south.

Despite its small size, Golspie has plenty to offer walkers and visitors.

Golspie also has a good selection of cafes, pubs, and small shops, making it a convenient place to restock supplies or enjoy a sit-down meal before or after visiting the castle.

For those not walking the trail, Golspie’s train station also makes it an easy place to arrive by public transport.

How to get to Dunrobin Castle by other transport

If you’re not walking the John o’ Groats Trail, Dunrobin Castle is still very easy to reach by public transport or by car, which is why it’s such a popular stop on the east coast of the Scottish Highlands.

By train, Dunrobin Castle railway station sits directly beside the castle grounds, which runs between Inverness and Wick or Thurso. Trains stop here on a request basis during the summer, so it’s worth checking times in advance.

By car, Dunrobin Castle is located just off the A9, the main road running north and south through the Highlands. There is a designated car park for visitors, 200 cars and 4 coaches to be precise.

By bus, the X99 drops you off a 5 minute walk away from the castle.

How long does it take to visit Dunrobin Castle?

A visit to Dunrobin Castle and Gardens typically takes around 3 to 4 hours, which gives you enough time to explore the castle rooms, stroll through the formal gardens, and, if you time it right, watch the falconry display.

That said, I honestly feel you could spend a full day here and still find plenty of value. Between the history inside the castle, the gardens, and the views over the Moray Firth, it’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down and imagine you are living in a different era.

Unfortunately, I had to do it in about half that time, as I needed to get back on the John O’Groats Trail and continue walking towards Golspie before the day ran away with me.

If you are looking for a more private and guided tour of Dunrobin Castle and Gardens there are plenty of activities to choose from on Get Your Guide.

What Has Been Filmed at Dunrobin Castle?

The castle is most famously known for being used as the exterior of the spa in Belgium in Barry Lyndon (1975), directed by Stanley Kubrick. Its grand French château-style architecture made it the perfect stand-in.

Dunrobin Castle has also appeared on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

Watch the journey to Dunrobin Castle and Gardens

If you are interested in the walking journey from Brora to Dunrobin Castle & Gardens you can watch by clicking on the video below.

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