Castle Fraser, near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, can host a meeting or a reception for up to 60 guests in its Great Hall, a ceremony for 60 in the walled garden, and outdoor or marquee events for more than 1,000 people on its grounds. The castle is a tower house run by the National Trust for Scotland, 16 miles west of Aberdeen.
Seminars and company events
The Great Hall is the main indoor room for business use. It is reached by a stone spiral staircase and has a high barrel-vaulted ceiling and three large south-facing windows. The official capacity is 60 guests for a meeting in theatre style and 60 for a reception. That suits a board presentation, a client briefing, a launch evening or a whisky tasting, but not a conference with breakout rooms: the castle offers one principal event room, plus smaller options in the building that the team describes on request.
The estate also sells formats for larger groups. The walled garden holds a drinks reception or a networking session for 60 people. The events field and the grounds are a flexible open space for team-building days, product launches, concerts, family fun days and marquee dinners, with a stated capacity of 1,000 or more. In the evening the castle can be floodlit as a backdrop.
Incentive groups can add private guided tours of the historic rooms, whisky tastings with hosts, and storytelling or heritage activities.
Weddings and receptions
Castle Fraser also sells weddings. A civil or celebration ceremony can take place in the Great Hall or in the walled garden, each for up to 60 guests. The walled garden dates from 1795 and has borders and open lawns facing the castle. It is used for ceremonies, drinks receptions and photographs. A larger wedding party can be accommodated in a marquee on the grounds.
Rooms and capacities
- Great Hall: meeting 60 theatre style, reception 60, wedding ceremony 60.
- Walled garden: ceremony 60, drinks reception 60.
- Grounds and events field: team-building, outdoor activities, festivals and marquee events, 1,000 or more.
Accommodation
The castle has a holiday apartment, the East Wing, which the National Trust for Scotland lets as a separate stay. The venue page does not state a number of bedrooms or whether the apartment can be booked together with an event, so ask when you enquire. Aberdeen offers hotels for larger groups.
History and setting
The core of the building dates from the fifteenth century, and the main castle was built from 1575 in a style with French influence: turrets, balustrades and gables. It stands among more than 120 hectares of landscaped gardens, parkland and woodland. The Trust describes it as one of the largest tower houses in Scotland.
Getting there
The castle is at Sauchen, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 7LD, 4 miles north of Dunecht and 16 miles west of Aberdeen, about 35 minutes by car. Aberdeen International Airport is a short drive away. The Trust lists public transport, walking and cycling options on its venue page.
