I loved Britain’s fairytale pink castle that inspired the one at Disney World – and even Britney Spears is a fan
IF you think the only place to find a pink castle is inside a Disney theme park, you’d be wrong.
Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland was thought to be the inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle in Florida’s Walt Disney World, and anyone can visit for a picture-perfect princess moment.
The 17th century structure is located near the town of Alford and is less than an hour away from Aberdeen.
Although the pink shade seems modern, the castle has been that colour since 1826 after a makeover matching the colour of the granite moldings, resulted in the famous ‘Craigievar pink’.
The castle has recently reopened after the ‘Pink Again Project’ that brought the colour back to life and visitors are flocking to get that perfect shot.
Even Britney Spears is a fan as she posted a photo of the castle to her millions of Instagram followers earlier this month.
Being Disney – and Britney – buffs, my daughter and I had to check this one out, dressing up in tulle skirts for the occasion.
Of course, Sabrina wore a Cinderella style dress, and we had fun letting her run across the grounds and got some fantastic snaps of her in front of the striking castle.
Visiting the grounds to get your iconic Instagram snap is free but you might have to wait to avoid the other guests with the same idea.
Visiting early can ensure you get the best spots or the early evening when you get the magical evening glow.
If you want to venture inside, you can also pay for a guided tour.
The iconic tower house is really fun to explore and is among the best preserved and the most loved in Scotland.
It was a family home up until the 1960s so the rooms have a cosy feel to them.
The guided tours take you into all the rooms in the castle’s five floors so you can imagine you’re a real-life Princess locked in a tower.
However, like most castles and fairy tales, it has its darker moments and visitors have reported hearing ghostly moments from some bedrooms so it’s maybe not a bad thing that the tours are guided.
There is also an on-site shop to check out and a woodland trail around the grounds where you might even spot some incredible wildlife.
The castle is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and members go free.
It’s not the only Disney-like castle in the UK.
Strawberry Hill House, in Twickenham, has been compared to a castle from the Disney films by tourists.
Other amazing castles in the UK
The UK is home to some amazing castles – here are some of the best
Bamburgh Castle
This medieval fortress is built overlooking the stunning Northumberland coast, offering a wonderfully picturesque place to explore some of England’s history.
The castle itself is incredibly well preserved and dates all the way back to the 11th century.
Kenilworth Castle
Brits can find out about sieges and royal scandals at Kenilworth Castle, one of the most famous forts in the country.
The medieval castle has had a fascinating history and was even transformed into an Elizabethan palace.
Today its keep, its Tudor towers and Elizabethan garden are among the sights people can explore.
Dover Castle
This fort rises high above the famous white cliffs, providing another stunning sight for visitors.
Another 11th Century build, constructed soon after 1066, it has been the site of some historically important moments, including the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Allied troops from the beach of Dunkirk.
Among its top features are its Great Tower, with a recreated medieval interior, which people can climb to the top of and enjoy the surrounding views.
The Sun’s Richard Moriarty, recently visited Balmoral Castle and nearly bumped into royalty.
And our Travel Reporter Hope Brotherton went to the UK’s ‘best’ castle – here’s what she thought.