Grampian - Castles in Aberdeenshire and Moray
Chances are that if you think of the term 'Scottish Castle', you picture a fanciful turreted castle like those that dot the landscape of Aberdeenshire and Moray, Grampian. Aberdeenshire, in particular, is blessed with an extraordinary number of fabulous castles, some of which have been inhabited for at least 600 years.
A historic tower house beside the River Dee, Abergeldie Castle probably dates to the mid 16th century. The most likely builder was Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar, later Earl of Huntly. The castle was used briefly as a garrison for royal troops during the first Jacobite uprising in 1715, and later it was leased to successive generations of the royal family, beginning with Prince Albert in 1848.
Abergeldie,
Grampian,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: 
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Auchindoun Castle is a 15th-century stone fortress built within the encircling earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort beside the River Fiddich. The castle was erected by John, Earl of Mar, but the earl did not have long to enjoy his new castle before he was murdered by his own brother, James III of Scotland.
A941,
Dufftown,
Grampian,
Scotland
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Balvenie Castle stands on a small, wooded hill on the northern outskirts of Dufftown. The castle is rather overshadowed by its more famous and much more modern neighbour, the Glenfiddich distillery, one of Scotland's most well-known whiskey brands. Yet though visitors flock to visit the distillery, many ignore the presence of this historic castle stronghold, fringed by trees. And that's a shame, for Balvenie is an impressive historic monument, home to three of Scotland's most important families over the centuries.
Castle Road,
Dufftown,
Grampian,
Scotland, AB55 4DH
Heritage Rating: 
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Heritage Highlight: Atholl Lodgings and a double yett
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Beldorney Castle is a restored 16th or early 17th-century tower house beside the River Deveron, in the north-west corner of Aberdeenshire. The Z-shaped house was built by the Ogilvey family and was later owned by a succession of families, among them the Gordons, Lyons, Buchan, and Grant families.
Dumeath,
Grampian,
Scotland
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Braemar Castle is a picturesque L-plan tower house beside the River Dee, built in 1628, then burned in the Jacobite Rising of 1689 and rebuilt. The castle is centred on a round tower set within a curtain wall, and defended by an iron yett (a hinged portcullis). The interiors feature fine furniture, including pieces by Chippendale and Hepplewhite.
Braemar,
Grampian,
Scotland, AB35 5XR
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Originally a Z plan castle of 16th and 17th centuries, rebuilt after being burned. Brodie Castle contains collections of fine French furniture, 18th-century lacquer furniture, and a wealth of porcelain, timepieces and paintings, including Dutch Old Masters. The most interesting feature, however, is a superb plasterwork ceiling, especially in the dining room.
Brodie,
Forres,
Moray,
Grampian,
Scotland, IV36 2TE
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Ornate plasterwork ceilings
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and Breakfasts
Cairnbulg Castle is a historic fortified tower house dating back to the 13th century. The castle stands beside the River Philorth, and indeed, it was originally called Philorth Castle.
Fraserburgh,
Grampian,
Scotland, AB43 8TN
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Corgarff Castle is a wonderfully scenic 16th-century white-washed tower house set in a remote valley. Corgarff was converted into a military barracks in 1748, and the castle retains its complete star-shaped fortification. A place of legend and bloody clan conflicts, Corgarff has a resident ghost.
A939,
Corgarff,
Grampian,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: 18th century star-shaped military walls
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If ever a Scottish castle deserved the moniker 'fairy tale', it is Craigievar. In fact, rumour has it that Walt Disney used Craigievar as the model for the Disney castle. Certainly, there is something magical about the proliferation of towers and turrets that spring from the earlier foundations of this attractive fortified house. And make no mistake, this is a tower 'house' rather than a castle in the traditional sense.
Craigievar,
Alford,
Grampian,
Scotland, AB33 8JF
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Delgatie Castle is a lovely 11th-century fortress that has been the home of the Hay Clan for much of the last 650 years. The highlights of the castle are the fabulously painted late 16th century ceilings and a bedchamber slept in by Mary, Queen of Scots when she stayed here for three days in 1562.
Delgatie,
Turriff,
Grampian,
Scotland, AB53 5TD
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