A Handful of Scottish Castles
I’m not one for holdays that involve a lot of lying in the sun. I’d far rather be on my feet investigating and learning about the local history. Scotland has recently become my favourity destination in which to indulge my interest in all things historic. In particular, castles.
Scotland is spoiled with numerous castles, many in ruins, all with unique and interesting histories. Some are the sites of famous battles involving Willian Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Here are a few of my favourites:
Glenbuchat castle in Aberdeenshire, northern Scotlan, was built for John Gordon and his wife Helen Carnegie of Cairnburrow in 1590. It remained in the Gordon family until 1738 when it was sold to Lord Braco. The castle uses a Z-plan with a rectangular central tower and two square towers at diagonally opposite corners.
Auchindoun castle located near Dufftown in Moray was built in th 15th century for the Earl of Mar. He was murdered by his brother (James III) and the tower house passed into the ownership of Robert Cochrane. He was hanged in 1482 and the castle then passed to the Ogilvies and then on to the Gordons in 1535. Although restored in the 17th and 18th centuries the stone was robbed for building work nearby.
Balvenie castle was built in the 13th century, originally a significant stronghold of one of Scotlands prominent barons, Alexander ‘Black’ Comyn, early of Buchan. It remained the home of nobility for 400 years although it had remained empty after Robert the Bruce wiped out the Comyns in his fight for the Scottish throne.
Dunnideer castle in Aberdeenshire was built around 1260 partially from the remains of an existing fort in the same location. It is thought that this castle is the earliest example of a tower-house on the Scottish mainland.
Kildrumy castle, in the breathtaking Grampian highlands, was once one of the most magnificent castles in Scotland. Built around 1250 by the Earl of Mar the castle was intended to support the Mar dynasties hold over north-eastern Scotland by overlooking key trade routes across the region.
So if you are like me and you enjoy discovering history through the buildings and castles that really bring it alive I recommend a trip to historic Scotland.
When flying from Scotland I always get a great deal on Edinburgh airport parking and Aberdeen airport parking by booking in advance online.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:37 am
This was a lovely post, what a place Scotland is I have a friend that has family that lives there and the photos that they send are just stunning.