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Cawdor

Settlement in Nairnshire

Scotland

Cawdor

Junction of unclassified road and old Military Road on edge of Cawdor Wood
Junction of unclassified road and old Military Road on edge of Cawdor Wood Credit: Douglas Nelson

Cawdor is a small village located in the Nairnshire region of Scotland. Situated approximately 10 miles east of the town of Nairn, Cawdor is nestled within the picturesque countryside of the Scottish Highlands. The village is renowned for its historical significance, particularly due to the presence of Cawdor Castle.

Cawdor Castle, an iconic attraction in the area, is a medieval fortress that dates back to the 14th century. It is notable for its well-preserved structure and beautiful gardens, which are open to the public. The castle is also famous for being featured in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, despite the fact that the historical Macbeth never actually resided there.

The village of Cawdor itself exudes a tranquil and charming atmosphere. It boasts a small population of approximately 200 residents, contributing to its close-knit community feel. The local economy is primarily driven by tourism, with visitors flocking to explore the castle and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.

In addition to Cawdor Castle, the village offers various amenities for both residents and visitors. These include a village shop, a post office, and a tearoom where visitors can relax and enjoy traditional Scottish fare. The surrounding area provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and birdwatching, making Cawdor an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts.

Overall, Cawdor is a charming village steeped in history and natural beauty, making it a must-visit location for those exploring the Scottish Highlands.

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Cawdor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.525655/-3.931497 or Grid Reference NH8450. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Junction of unclassified road and old Military Road on edge of Cawdor Wood
Junction of unclassified road and old Military Road on edge of Cawdor Wood
Field at Old Newton of Budgate
Field at Old Newton of Budgate
Farmland at Old Newton of Budgate
Farmland at Old Newton of Budgate
Cawdor Parish Church
Cawdor Parish Church
Forest track entering Budgate Plantation
Forest track entering Budgate Plantation
Cawdor Castle and Gardens Cawdor Castle dates from the late 14th century and was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor.
Cawdor Castle and Gardens
Cawdor Castle dates from the late 14th century and was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor.
Cawdor Castle Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 LinkExternal link Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland LinkExternal link , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
Cawdor Castle Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 LinkExternal link Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland LinkExternal link , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
Cawdor Burn Stream flowing behind Cawdor Castle.
Cawdor Burn
Stream flowing behind Cawdor Castle.
Cawdor Village, Back Street Cawdor (Scottish Gaelic: Caladair) is a village in the Highland area of Scotland. The village lies 5 miles south-southwest of Nairn and 12 miles east of Inverness. The village is in the Historic County of Nairnshire. Cawdor (Scottish Gaelic: Caladair) is a village in the Highland area of Scotland. The village lies 5 miles south-southwest of Nairn and 12 miles east of Inverness. The village is in the Historic County of Nairnshire. The name "Cawdor" is the English pronunciation and spelling of the ancient and original name Calder. In the early 19th century, the Lord at the time was residing in England and changed the name of the castle, town and clan so that it would match the name in Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth.
Cawdor Village, Back Street
Cawdor (Scottish Gaelic: Caladair) is a village in the Highland area of Scotland. The village lies 5 miles south-southwest of Nairn and 12 miles east of Inverness. The village is in the Historic County of Nairnshire. Cawdor (Scottish Gaelic: Caladair) is a village in the Highland area of Scotland. The village lies 5 miles south-southwest of Nairn and 12 miles east of Inverness. The village is in the Historic County of Nairnshire. The name "Cawdor" is the English pronunciation and spelling of the ancient and original name Calder. In the early 19th century, the Lord at the time was residing in England and changed the name of the castle, town and clan so that it would match the name in Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth.
Woodland path near Cawdor Castle
Woodland path near Cawdor Castle
Woodland Path behind Cawdor Castle
Woodland Path behind Cawdor Castle
Wooden Footbridge across Cawdor Burn
Wooden Footbridge across Cawdor Burn
Cawdor Castle Maze Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
Cawdor Castle Maze
Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 LinkExternal link Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland LinkExternal link , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
Minotaur in the Labyrinth at Cawdor Castle The bronze Minotaur sculpture by Gregory Ryan sits at the centre of the labyrinth in the Walled Garden, more than three metres above the trimmed hedges.
Minotaur in the Labyrinth at Cawdor Castle
The bronze Minotaur sculpture by Gregory Ryan sits at the centre of the labyrinth in the Walled Garden, more than three metres above the trimmed hedges.
Cawdor Castle Paradise Garden The sculpture "Adam and Eve leaving Paradise", by the French artist George Jeanclos, is at the centre of the Paradise Garden within Cawdor's walled garden.
Cawdor Castle Paradise Garden
The sculpture "Adam and Eve leaving Paradise", by the French artist George Jeanclos, is at the centre of the Paradise Garden within Cawdor's walled garden.
The Paradise Garden at Cawdor Castle Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
The Paradise Garden at Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 LinkExternal link Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland LinkExternal link , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
Cawdor Castle Courtyard Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1728">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventory_of_Gardens_and_Designed_Landscapes_in_Scotland">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
Cawdor Castle Courtyard
Cawdor Castle is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. It was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. It is a Category A listed building (LB1728 LinkExternal link Historic Environment Scotland). The castle is known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, in which the title character is made "Thane of Cawdor". However, the story is highly fictionalised, and the castle itself, which is never directly referred to in Macbeth, was built many years after the life of the 11th-century King Macbeth. The castle grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland LinkExternal link , the national listing of significant gardens. The gardens were first laid out early 17th century; altered in the mid-19th century and the Flower Garden replanted in the 19th century and again in the mid-20th century.
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Cawdor is located at Grid Ref: NH8450 (Lat: 57.525655, Lng: -3.931497)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///crystals.contemplate.actor. Near Nairn, Highland

Nearby Locations

Cawdor

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.525655,-3.931497
Cawdor
Name En: Cawdor
Name Gd: Caladair
Place: village
Wikidata: Q1028188
Wikipedia: en:Cawdor
Lat/Long: 57.525153/-3.9300792
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Traffic Signals
Lat/Long: 57.5262824/-3.9304043
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Bus Stop
Church
Naptan AtcoCode: 670030047
Naptan Bearing: NE
Naptan CommonName: Church
Naptan Indicator: opp
Naptan Landmark: Cawdor Church
Naptan NaptanCode: 45326549
Naptan Street: B9090
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 57.525175/-3.9334436
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Church
Naptan AtcoCode: 670030047A
Naptan Bearing: SW
Naptan CommonName: Church
Naptan Indicator: o/s
Naptan Landmark: Cawdor Church
Naptan NaptanCode: 45326562
Naptan Street: B9090
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 57.5251457/-3.9324232
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Castle Entrance
Naptan AtcoCode: 6700712503
Naptan Bearing: W
Naptan CommonName: Castle Entrance
Naptan Indicator: o/s
Naptan Landmark: Cawdor Castle
Naptan NaptanCode: 45327869
Naptan Street: Castle Drive
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 57.524064/-3.9244164
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Primary School
Bench: no
Bin: no
Lit: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 6700713501
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Primary School
Naptan Indicator: o/s
Naptan Landmark: Primary School
Naptan NaptanCode: 45328792
Naptan Street: School Road
Naptan Verified: no
Shelter: no
Source: naptan_import
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 57.52677/-3.9313734
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Ticket office - Cawdor Castle
Information: office
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 57.5241078/-3.9249827
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Entrance: yes
Lat/Long: 57.5244947/-3.9265074
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: substation
Lat/Long: 57.5250316/-3.9283478
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Post Box
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 12:00; Sa 12:00
Operator: Royal Mail
Post Box Manufacturer: Carron Company, Stirlingshire
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: IV12 26
Royal Cypher: scottish_crown
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 57.5244468/-3.9318263
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Telephone
Booth: K6
Covered: booth
Man Made: telephone_box
Note: payphone is proposed for removal
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 57.5243989/-3.9320786
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Restaurant
The Cawdor Tavern
Addr Postcode: IV12 5XP
Cuisine: regional
Website: https://cawdortavern.co.uk/
Lat/Long: 57.5251014/-3.929176
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Google Maps
Bar
Snack Bar
Lat/Long: 57.5236095/-3.9249703
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Wool Shop
Shop: boutique
Lat/Long: 57.5238544/-3.9250562
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Lat/Long: 57.5246307/-3.9260246
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Toilets
Fee: no
Female: no
Male: yes
Portable: no
Toilets Disposal: flush
Toilets Handwashing: yes
Unisex: no
Lat/Long: 57.5237724/-3.9250483
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Shop: gift
Lat/Long: 57.5241868/-3.9263476
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Cafe
Lat/Long: 57.5241403/-3.92655
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Toilets
Fee: no
Female: yes
Male: no
Portable: no
Toilets Disposal: flush
Toilets Handwashing: yes
Unisex: no
Lat/Long: 57.5239898/-3.9251046
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Historic: memorial
Memorial: war_memorial
Lat/Long: 57.5282892/-3.9254545
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: on post beside road
Emergency: defibrillator
Operator: Lucky2BHere
Ref GB The Circuit: 9C875D57-E5C7-4C1C-AEF7-ABD3013438E9
Lat/Long: 57.5260988/-3.9301061
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.5255771/-3.9330781
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.5260953/-3.9338278
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.5265988/-3.934493
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.527136/-3.9352727
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.5275824/-3.936306
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.5279001/-3.9370585
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 57.5234548/-3.9262985
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 57.5240266/-3.9263762
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 57.5239178/-3.925594
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Artwork Type: installation
Tourism: artwork
Lat/Long: 57.5252423/-3.9266656
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Entrance: main
Lat/Long: 57.5242824/-3.9264271
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Entrance: main
Lat/Long: 57.5240885/-3.9259411
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Fountain
Covered: no
Drinking Water: no
Indoor: no
Lit: no
Lat/Long: 57.5233568/-3.9261312
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Fountain
Covered: no
Drinking Water: no
Indoor: no
Lit: no
Lat/Long: 57.5237362/-3.9266262
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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