If you’re looking for a travel destination that blends history, romance, and literature, look no further than Cawdor Castle in Scotland. Located near the town of Nairn in north-east Scotland, Cawdor Castle was built in 1370 by the Thanes of Cawdor and has a rich history that spans over 900 years. Best known for its connection to Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, Cawdor Castle is a true gem of Scottish architecture that is well worth a visit. Learn about Cawdor Castle, its exciting history, and its connection to Macbeth in this blog.
Visiting the castle
Cawdor Castle is open to visitors every weekday from the end of April to the beginning of October. Upon arrival, visitors will find a large parking lot with sales areas, lockers and a ticket office. Guides and maps are available in several languages, including French. The self-guided tour includes eleven rooms where paintings, tapestries, four-poster beds and quality furniture are displayed, as well as information panels giving an overview of each room. Visitors will be able to see the Cawdor family coat of arms as well as battle armor. Visitors are encouraged to take their time to explore the different spaces and soak up the history that has shaped them.
The Gardens
There are two gardens at Cawdor Castle, both surrounded by walls in the style of a parish priest’s garden. Upon entering the first garden, visitors will be greeted by an obelisk-shaped water feature. The pond, which already existed in the seventeenth century, is fed by a natural spring and is the focal point of the garden. Visitors then walk through a passageway of boxwood connections that leads to the second garden. This garden contains a maze that is inaccessible due to the damage caused by holly trees. Although visitors can’t walk around it, the view of the maze from the walls can be enjoyed. The gardens are proof that even with time, the vision of the original builders can be preserved.
The connection to Macbeth
Cawdor Castle is famous for its connection to Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. According to legend, the fiction depicts the real life of the Cawdor family. However, the story has been simplified for the play. Legend has it that in 1040, the Thane of Cawdor left his fiefdom to join King Duncan in a warlike campaign. However, the wife of the thane of Cawdor is said to have cheated on her husband while he was away. Upon his return, the thane ordered the death of his wife and married a niece of King Duncan. The play is about Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan and the three witches’ prediction that he will be crowned king. It is an interesting and exciting evocation of the origins of the castle.
The Courtyard Café
Cawdor Castle has a café, where visitors can take a break enjoying vegetarian dishes, scones, cakes, hot and cold drinks. Nestled in one of the castle’s gardens, the Courtyard Café completes the experience for visitors before heading back to the car park. Picnic tables and garden benches are also provided for visitors who wish to relax and enjoy the views of the gardens.
