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.
In the centre of the beautiful Deeside village of Braemar are the ruins of Kindrochit Castle. The castle dates to the 14th century, but it probably stands on the site of an 11th-century wooden fortification built by Malcolm Canmore.
Balnelland Road, Braemar, Grampian, Scotland
Heritage Rating: 
?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
Also known as Old Kinnairdy, Kinnairdy Castle is a fascinating mix of a medieval castle and 15th-century tower house begun by the Innes family. The castle stands two miles south-west of the village of Aberchirder, where the Auchintoul Burn meets the River Deveron.
Aberchirder, Grampian, Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
One of the fascinating medieval sites in Grampian, the Peel Ring of Lumphanan is an earthwork motte, the site of one of the earliest Norman fortified houses in the north of Scotland. Lumphanan Peel Ring dates to the late 12th or early 13th century, a period when Norman lords were pushing north into the old Celtic Earldom of Mar.
Lumphanan, Grampian, Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
An imposing ruin of an early 15th-century tower house, Pitsligo Castle was built around 1424 by the Fraser family of Philorth. Ownership later passed to the Forbes family of Druminnor, and it was they who extended the castle to roughly its current layout.
Rosehearty, Grampian, Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
Ruins of a late 16th-century fortified tower house built by the Frasers of Philorth. Roofless remains of a four-storey tower and adjoining courtyard complex of buildings. Ornate corbelling stonework and infilled heraldic panels.
Mains of Pittulie, Rosehearty, Grampian, Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Late 16th-century stonework
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
Tolquhon Castle is a beautiful medieval residence built around a 15th-century tower house. We do not know for certain who built the tower house, but it may have been the Prestons of Formartine. The tower was enlarged in 1580's by Sir William Forbes, the 7th Lord Tolquhon, who created a magnificent mansion around a central courtyard. In its day, Tolquhon must have been one of the most ornate and impressive residences in Scotland.
Pitmedden, Grampian, Scotland
Heritage Rating: 
?
Heritage Highlight: Beautifully decorated 16th century gatehouse
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
