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Castles In Aberdeenshire |
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Balmoral Castle |
7
miles west of Ballater, on A93 In the 17th
century the estate belonged to the Farquharsons, then passing to the Earl of Fife, and in
the 19th century a mansion was built. In 1848 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the
property they had never seen. Ideal for a holiday retreat, in 1856 Prince Albert had the
mansion replaced by a castle in 'Scottish Baronial' style. more
information  |
Braemar Castle |
17
miles south-west of Ballater, off A93 The infamous 13th century royal castle of
Kindrochit, declined during the 16th century and a new castle was built by the Earl of
Mar, designed to protect them from the family's traditional enemies the Farquharsons.The
Farquharsons burnt Braemar Castle and in 1732, John Farquharson bought the castle and its
estate. It was leased to the Hanoverian Government and restored by John Adam,
and in the 19th century the Farquharson's lived in the castle, restoring it as a family
home. Today it is the site of the Royal Highland Gathering, attended by the reigning
monarch. more
information |
Craigievar Castle |
7
miles south of Alford, off A980 Probably the
most romantic in Scotland, it was built in the short period between 1603 and
1638. It when the landowners in Scotland had time and wealth to spare. Sir
William Forbes had bought the half-built castle from the Mortimer family and could afford
to finish the building on a lavish scale. Although Sir William died a year after
completing the castle, it stayed in his family until bought by the Scottish National Trust
in 1963. more information |
Crathes Castle |
3
miles east of Banchory, off A93 Begun in 1553
by Alexander Burnett and finally completed in the 18th century. In 1952 the Burnett family
gave the castle to the National Trust for Scotland. A fire destroyed the Queen Ann
Wing in 1966 and has been rebuilt by the Trust in its original plan of two
storeys. The gardens were begun at the beginning of the 20th century by Sir James
and Lady Burnett using the original 18th century gardens as a framework. more information |
Dunnator Castle |
1
mile south of Stonehaven, off A92 Built in the
12th century, in the 14th century William Keith built a tower house. Added to in the 16th
century and built mainly for comfort but it had gun ports in case of attack. In the
Civil War it was besieged by the Royalists and Cromwell's troops. After
Monmouth's and Argll's rebellion in 1685, it was used as a prison. In the 18th century the
castle was acquired by the York Buildings Company who were notorious for the removal of
ceilings and floors. more information |
Huntly Castle |
12
miles south-east of Keith, off A96 In the 12th century a timber
castle was built, controlling the route north to Inverness. The
Gordan family flourished at the castle and became the earls of Huntley.
When the castle burnt down in the 15th century they built a new castle,
the vaults and dungeons of this castle remain as in the 16th century
the 4th Earl of Huntly decide to rebuild as an elegant residence. During
the Civil War the 2nd marquess was executed by the Covenanters who occupied
the castle and after the Civil War the Huntly family decided to move
to a house nearby. Once abandoned the castle fell into disrepair.
more
information
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