Castle Fraser, Garden & Estate

Castle Fraser is one of the largest tower houses in Scotland, begun around 1450 and finished in 1636 for the Fraser lairds, a Z-plan tower house near Kemnay. Rooms are self-guided, with the Sounds of Fraser adding voices, and the oddities are the fun: the Laird's Lug, a listening hole above the great hall, hidden trapdoors, secret stairs and a spy hole, plus family portraits including a Raeburn. Climb the round tower for the view over the estate. The walled garden grows specimen trees, herbaceous borders and the fruit and vegetables served in the refurbished courtyard tearoom, and the grounds have waymarked walks and a children's play area, all cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Reviewers praise the room guides and the tower-top view and say the woodland walks suit dogs and prams. Tips from visitors: ignore the sat nav for the last two miles and follow the brown signs to the only car park, and the tower stairs are steep.