January 24, 2026, 8:21 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The magnificent Dunrobin Castle is the largest castle in the northern Scottish Highlands. It has been owned by the same family for more than 700 years, and it still lives there today. The mighty building and its magnificent gardens are also a popular tourist attraction today due to their beauty. Not least because Hollywood has also been a guest here in the past.
Not far from the small village of Golspie, picturesquely situated in the northern Scottish Highlands, is one of the country’s most impressive and historic castles. Dunrobin Castle, as it is known, has been perched here, with a fantastic distant view of the Atlantic Ocean, for more than 700 years. It has been inhabited by the same family, the noble Sutherlands, ever since. Reminiscent of a French chateau in style, it has long been a magnet for visitors thanks to its beauty and magnificent gardens. Probably also because Hollywood has filmed here in the past.
According to the castle’s official website, Dunrobin Castle has existed since around the 13th century. The Sutherlands, who still live here, were once one of the richest and most powerful families in the whole of Great Britain. And as such, they naturally needed an ancestral seat befitting their status, which they built for themselves with the 189-room palace. Dunrobin Castle is not only one of the oldest permanently inhabited noble houses on the British Isles, but also the largest castle in the northern Scottish Highlands.
A Legendary Inspiration
Dunrobin Castle probably got its name, which translates from Gaelic as “Robin’s fortress”, from Robert, the 6th Earl of Sutherland. It was originally built as a defensive post against enemies, strategically located on a hill overlooking the vast countryside. The Flemish knight Freskin (of Moravia), who received the extensive lands of the clan in 1197 from King William I, who was also respectfully known as “The Lion,” is regarded as the progenitor of the Sutherlands. The name Sutherland, in turn, is derived from the Norse and means “southern land”.
Over the centuries, Dunrobin Castle was rebuilt and enlarged several times. It was finally given its current appearance in 1845 by the architect Sir Charles Barry. He was an absolute superstar in his field and had previously built the Houses of Parliament in London. He based his design on the style of French castles, which were very popular in Scotland at the time. It is therefore no coincidence that both the palace and its extensive gardens are based on no less a model than the legendary Versailles.
The Infamous Countess
In its long history, Dunrobin Castle has also experienced some dark times. In 1746, for example, it was occupied by Jacobite troops after the Battle of Culloden. According to the BBC, Countess Elizabeth of Sutherland also played an inglorious role in the family history. Having fallen into financial difficulties due to her extravagant lifestyle, she looked for ways to optimize the yield from her estates. This culminated in her having numerous small farmers forcibly evicted from their property in 1809. They had to make way for sheep farming, which Elizabeth successfully established in the following years. By 1820, there were almost 120,000 of the animals there.
During the First World War, Dunrobin Castle was temporarily used as a military hospital. From 1965 to 72, a boys’ school was housed here. However, one of the main reasons why the castle attracts numerous tourists from all over the world today is the visit of Hollywood director Stanley Kubrick. He shot his historical film “Barry Lyndon” here in 1975. Even after that, the magnificent building could be admired several times in films and on television. German romance fans will most likely remember it as the setting for the Rosamunde Pilcher adaptation “Winter Solstice” from 2003.
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If you would like to visit Dunrobin Castle yourself, you can do so from April 1 to October 31, according to the official website. The exact opening times vary seasonally and can also be found there. Admission for adults currently costs 15.50 pounds, which is the equivalent of around 18.50 euros. Pensioners and students pay 13.50 pounds (around 16 euros), children 9 pounds (around 11 euros). The price includes a visit to the castle, its gardens, the museum, and the falconry. Daily flight shows with numerous birds take place at the latter.