A friend and I are going to Scotland the end of May and first of June for 2 weeks. Is anyone aware of a tour company in Edinburgh that operates a day tour to Aberdeen and specifically, Crathes Castle. I have investigated a private tour but that is about $525.00. I don't see that Rabbies does one, or Highland Experience, nor are there listings on Viator. Thanks for your assistance.

Tours are not usually castle specific so I doubt you will find a day tour to Crathes.

Why not take the train to Stonehaven and catch a cab to the Castle?

That way you can easily squeeze in Dunnottar as well - which is only about 1.5 miles from Stonehaven.

OR - you can take the train to Aberdeen and local bus to the castle?

I don't know about the train to Stonehaven, but could easily train to Aberdeen about 2 1/2 hours. I just checked and there are buses fron Aberdeen to Crathes Castle and that journey only takes about an hour. It will be a full day but it is doable.

The reason I suggested Stonehaven over Aberdeen -- it is a shorter train ride and the castle is less than 15 miles from Stonehaven so a local driver will cost but not a fortune so you would get to the castle at least an hour faster than via Aberdeen and probably 90 minutes faster because it is a long-ish bus from Aberdeen. Plus Stonehaven is an interesting fishing port to look around. And Dunnottar . . .

You're right janisj. I just checked and the train from Edinburgh to Stonehaven is about 2 hours. You can easily take either a bus or taxi out to Dunnottar Castle and from Stonehaven the 105 bus to Crathes Castle. That trip takes less than 30 minutes. Return to Stonehaven and train back to Edinburgh. Again, a full day but a wonderful mix of Scottish castle.

There's a possibility that you won't need to return to Stonehaven to catch the 105 bus. It may stop at Dunnottar.

And if it is a nice day -- you can walk out to Dunnottar -- it is very near Stonehaven.