Aberdeenshire Castles
There are more castles per acre than any part of the UK.
More info Aberdeenshire Castle Trail.
Leith Hall is a country house in Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Built in 1650, on the site of the medieval Peill Castle, and run by the National Trust of Scotland since 1945, Leith Hall is set in a 286-acre estate with scenic gardens. The manor was the home of the Leith-Hay family for nearly four centuries. More info Wikipedia.
Situated in Castle Street in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Huntly Castle was granted to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly in Berwickshire in the 14th Century and was renamed having previously being known as Strathbogie. George Gordon, the 4th Earl of Huntly (1514-62), rebuilt the castle as a splendid Renaissance palace. The castle remained in the care of the Gordon family until it was given to the nation in 1923 and is now in the hands of Historic Scotland. The castle shows three distinct stages of growth, the 15th century castle ruins sit within the courtyard, whilst the greatest remains relate to the 16th century development.
Huntly Castle was granted to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly in Berwickshire in the 14th Century and was renamed having previously being known as Strathbogie. George Gordon, the 4th Earl of Huntly (1514-62), rebuilt the castle as a splendid Renaissance palace. The castle remained in the care of the Gordon family until it was given to the nation in 1923 and is now in the hands of Historic Scotland.
Huntly Castle was granted to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly in Berwickshire in the 14th Century and was renamed having previously being known as Strathbogie. George Gordon, the 4th Earl of Huntly (1514-62), rebuilt the castle as a splendid Renaissance palace. The castle remained in the care of the Gordon family until it was given to the nation in 1923 and is now in the hands of Historic Scotland.
Crathes Castle is a 16th century castle near Banchory in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. This harled castle was built by the Burnetts of Leys and was held in that family for almost 400 years. The castle and grounds are presently owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland and are open to the public. Crathes sits on land given as a gift to the Burnett of Leys family by King Robert the Bruce in 1323. In the 14th and 15th century the Burnett of Leys built a fortress of timbers on an island they made in the middle of a nearby bog. This method of fortiification, known as a crannog, was common in the Late Middle Ages. Construction of the current tower house of Crathes Castle was begun in 1553 but delayed several times during its construction due to political problems during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. It was completed in 1596 by Alexander Burnett of Leys, and an additional wing added in 18th century. Alexander Burnett, who completed the construction of Crathes, began a new project, the early 17th century reconstruction of nearby Muchalls Castle. That endeavour was completed by his son, Sir Thomas Burnett. Crathes Castle served as the ancestral seat of the Burnetts of Leys until gifted to the National Trust for Scotland by the 13th Baronet of Leys, Sir James Burnett in 1951. A fire damaged portions of the castle (in particular the Queen Anne wing) in 1966. Another historically important structure in this region linked to the Burnett of Leys family is Monboddo House.
Balvenie Castle is a ruined castle near Dufftown in the Moray region of Scotland. Originally known as Mortlach, it was built in the 12th century by a branch of the powerful Comyn family (the Black Comyns) and extended and altered in the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle fell out of use in the early 14th century when the Comyns were reduced by Robert the Bruce. It re-emerged in the historical record in the 15th century in the hands of the Black Douglases. The castle was forfeited by the Douglases for their part in a rebellion against King James II and it was granted to John Stewart, the first Earl of Atholl. Balvenie Castle served as a garrison during the Jacobite rebellion. It was abandoned in 1720s but was briefly garrisoned by Government troops in 1746. Today, the remains of the castle are managed by Historic Scotland. They are open to the public during the summer months. Balvenie whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons at the Balvenie distillery next to the castle.
Balmoral Castle Royal Deeside
Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside
Leith Hall
Duff House is a Georgian estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, it is part of the National Galleries of Scotland and houses a range of art treasures and superbly furnished rooms. It also hosts a programme of artistic events and is used as a base for artists and writers. The house and associated fishing temple and mausoleum are designated as Category A listed buildings. Within the Deveron Valley lies Duff House, designed by William Adam, built between 1735 and 1740, and widely thought to be one of the world's finest Georgian houses. Duff House was built for William Duff of Braco, who became Earl Fife in 1759. In the twentieth century Duff House was in turn a palm court hotel, a sanatorium and a prisoner of war camp. Since 1995 Duff House has been part of the National Galleries of Scotland and houses a range of art treasures and superbly furnished rooms. It also hosts a programme of artistic events and is used as a base for artists and writers.
Duff House Interior
Duff House Interior
Duff House Duff House (circa1735) is a Georgian estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, it is part of the National Galleries of Scotland and houses a range of art treasures and superbly furnished rooms. More info Wikipedia.
Duff House Duff House (circa1735) is a Georgian estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, it is part of the National Galleries of Scotland and houses a range of art treasures and superbly furnished rooms. More info Wikipedia.
Duff House (circa1735) is a Georgian estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, it is part of the National Galleries of Scotland and houses a range of art treasures and superbly furnished rooms. More info Wikipedia.
Duff House Duff House (circa1735) is a Georgian estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, it is part of the National Galleries of Scotland and houses a range of art treasures and superbly furnished rooms. More info Wikipedia.
Duff House Duff House (circa1735) is a Georgian estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, it is part of the National Galleries of Scotland and houses a range of art treasures and superbly furnished rooms. More info Wikipedia.
Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland and one of the grandest 'Castles of Mar'. It is located near Kemnay in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. The castle stands in over 300 acres (1.2 km2) of landscaped grounds, woodland and farmland which includes a walled kitchen garden of the 19th century. There is archaeological evidence of an older square tower dating from around 1400 or 1500 within the current construction. Originally known as Muchall-in-Mar, construction of the elaborate, five-storey Z-plan castle was begun in 1575 by the 6th Laird of Fraser, Michael Fraser, on the basis of an earlier tower, and was completed in 1636. A panel on the northern side of the castle is signed "I Bel", believed to be the mark of the master mason John Bell of Midmar, the castle is a joint creation over several decades with another master mason of this period, Thomas Leiper. Castle Fraser is contemporary with other nearby castles: Craigievar Castle, Crathes Castle and Midmar Castle which are also believed to have been designed by the Bell family of master masons. The castle was modernised in a classical style in the late 18th century, with a new entrance inserted in the south side and sash windows throughout. This work was supervised by Elyza Fraser, the lady laird. Elyza was also responsible for the landscaping of the grounds, sweeping away the remains of the original formal gardens and orchards, and for the construction of the impressive octagonal stable block. The interiors of the building were entirely reconstructed again between 1820 and 1850, by Charles Fraser, using the architects John Smith and William Burn. The Library is a fine example of John Smith's regency style with Tudor detailing. Many of William Burn's more extravagant gothic designs for the most important rooms were not carried out, although a gothic style pipe organ was installed (now removed to Kemnay Church). External works during this period included the construction of the twin gatehouses (still extant), and a grand domed stair and access corridors with loggias in the courtyard (removed). The castle was given a partial 'restoration' by the new owners around 1950. The architect and antiquary Dr William Kelly supervised the removal of much 19th-century work to reveal the earlier fabric. Castle Fraser retains the atmosphere of a family home and still contains the original contents, including Fraser family portraits, furniture and collections. The evocative interiors represent all periods of the castle's history, from the Medieval stone vaulted Great Hall to the Regency Dining Room. Castle Fraser was built as the home of the Frasers of Muchalls, later Frasers of Castle Fraser. The castle was passed down through the Lords Fraser, the Frasers of Inverallochy and then the Mackenzie family who took the name Mackenzie Fraser. In 1897 the last male Fraser of the direct line, Frederick Mackenzie Fraser, died childless. In 1921 his widow, Theodora, sold the castle due to the lack of a suitable heir and mounting financial difficulties. The buyer was Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray. The Pearson family restored the castle as a shooting lodge and gave it to the National Trust for Scotland in 1976.
Delgatie Castle is a castle near Turriff, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. A castle has stood on the site of Delgatie Castle since the year 1030 AD, although the earliest parts of the castle standing today were built between 1570 and 1579. Additional wings and a chapel were added in 1743. The castle was stripped from the disgraced Henry de Beaumont, Earl of Buchan after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and given to Clan Hay (later to become the Earls of Erroll). Mary, Queen of Scots, was a guest at the castle in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie. Like many castles, Delgatie is rumoured to be haunted. A number of reports of a ghostly red-haired figure, supposedly one Alexander Hay, were made by soldiers posted there during the Second World War. Architecturally, the castle consists of a keep, adjoining house and two later wings. Notable features include a very wide turnpike stair and painted ceilings dating from the 16th century in some rooms. Today, the castle and its gardens are owned by the Delgatie Castle Trust. They are open to the public throughout the summer months and suites within the castle itself and a number of cottages the estate are available to rent.
Delgatie Castle is a castle near Turriff, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. A castle has stood on the site of Delgatie Castle since the year 1030 AD, although the earliest parts of the castle standing today were built between 1570 and 1579. Additional wings and a chapel were added in 1743. The castle was stripped from the disgraced Henry de Beaumont, Earl of Buchan after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and given to Clan Hay (later to become the Earls of Erroll). Mary, Queen of Scots, was a guest at the castle in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie. Like many castles, Delgatie is rumoured to be haunted. A number of reports of a ghostly red-haired figure, supposedly one Alexander Hay, were made by soldiers posted there during the Second World War. The castle's information boards, mostly written by Captain Hay who restored the house in the 1950s, recount that the ghost was first seen when a body was found bricked up in a priest hole. Architecturally, the castle consists of a keep, adjoining house and two later wings. Notable features include a very wide turnpike stair and painted ceilings dating from the 16th century in some rooms. In many places may be seen the Hay family arms including the three cattle yokes which recall a farmer and his two sons who were instrumental in the defeat of a Danish raiding party at Cruden Bay. Today, the castle and its gardens are owned by the Delgatie Castle Trust. The castle, grounds, and café are open to the public throughout the summer months and suites within the castle itself and a number of cottages the estate are available to rent. There is also a popular fishing site on the river passing through
Delgatie Castle,Turriff, in Aberdeenshire. A castle has stood on this site since the year 1030 AD, although the earliest parts of the castle standing today were built between 1570 and 1579. Additional wings and a chapel were added in 1743.
Delgatie Castle is a castle near Turriff, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. A castle has stood on the site of Delgatie Castle since the year 1030 AD, although the earliest parts of the castle standing today were built between 1570 and 1579. Additional wings and a chapel were added in 1743. The castle was stripped from the disgraced Henry de Beaumont, Earl of Buchan after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and given to Clan Hay (later to become the Earls of Erroll). Mary, Queen of Scots, was a guest at the castle in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie. Like many castles, Delgatie is rumoured to be haunted. A number of reports of a ghostly red-haired figure, supposedly one Alexander Hay, were made by soldiers posted there during the Second World War. The castle's information boards, mostly written by Captain Hay who restored the house in the 1950s, recount that the ghost was first seen when a body was found bricked up in a priest hole. Architecturally, the castle consists of a keep, adjoining house and two later wings. Notable features include a very wide turnpike stair and painted ceilings dating from the 16th century in some rooms. In many places may be seen the Hay family arms including the three cattle yokes which recall a farmer and his two sons who were instrumental in the defeat of a Danish raiding party at Cruden Bay. Today, the castle and its gardens are owned by the Delgatie Castle Trust. The castle, grounds, and café are open to the public throughout the summer months and suites within the castle itself and a number of cottages the estate are available to rent. There is also a popular fishing site on the river passing through
The ruined Balquhain Castle was burned down in a feud with the neighbouring Forbes family in 1526. It was rebuilt and then abandoned in 1710 when the Leslie family moved to Fetternear house. After 1710 it fell into disrepair and was then deliberately destroyed in 1746 - likely as a result of the failed 1745 rebellion.