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Welcome

Perched atop a 160 foot rock and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, the dramatic and evocative cliff-top ruins of Dunnottar Castle were once an impregnable fortress of the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland.

Steeped in history, this romantic and haunting ruin is a photographer’s paradise, a history lover’s dream and an iconic tourist destination for visitors the world over.

Castle pic for leaflet

Access with steps

The main entrance has 38 steps and a handrail. There is no lift and no ramp.

There are steps from the main entrance to:

Castle interior open spaceTicket KioskKioskToilet facility inside Castle

There are steps from the car park to:

Food van picnic area beside car park

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Getting here

For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.
Dunnottar Castle
Stonehaven
AB39 2TL

Travel by public transport

You can get to Dunnottar Castle by bus.
Bus services stop on the A92 coast road, approximately 250m from the Castle car park. In order to plan journeys we recommend you use the Traveline Scotland website - https://www.travelinescotland.com/ The bus stop is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from Dunnottar Castle.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Mojo Taxis by calling +44 (0) 7790 278080. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
You can get a taxi with A&I Taxis by calling +44 (0) 1569 764333. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
You can get a taxi with Dash Cabs by calling 07400 442880. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

There is parking near the venue. There are accessible parking spaces. Parking is free.
Although there is no designated drop-off point, there are a number of suitable areas without kerbs beside the car and coach parks. From the parking to the main entrance, there are 219 steps. There is no ramp and no lift.

Dunnottar Castle sits on an isolated rock seperated from the mainland and is accessed via steps down from the cliff top. There are over 200 steps from the cliff top to the entrance kiosk located within the Castle.

There is a driveway between the car park and cliff top and in order to improve access for the less able to view the Castle from the cliff top, vehicles are allowed to travel down to the turning circle which is the closest point during the summer season (1st April to 30th September). 

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there are 218 steps. There is no ramp and no lift.
The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has 38 steps.
This entrance has a handrail.
The main door is side hung and manual.

The main entrance to the Castle is accessed from the cliff top via 180 concrete steps of even construction followed by approx. 40m of earth path and then 38 uneven steps up to the entrance door which remains open during opening hours.

Steps to Castle entrance doorway

Getting around inside

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Ticket/ information desk

Ticket Kiosk

From the main entrance to this desk, there are 17 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

There are 17 uneven steps leading from the entrance door to the ticket kiosk. A number of these are inlaid with pebbles which can be slippery when wet.

Steps inside entrance door to first landing Steps from first landing to kiosk

Ticket/ information desk

Kiosk

From the main entrance to this desk, there are 17 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Castle interior open space

From the main entrance to this area, there are 48 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Public toilet

Toilet facility inside Castle

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there are 49 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

The toilet facility has 3 cubicles, 2 for women and 1 for men, all are standard sized cubicles.

Getting around outside

Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle Coastal Path

The trail is 2000metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. Stiles The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

Picnic Area

Food van picnic area beside car park

From the car park to the picnic area, there is 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp.

Customer care support

Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.