Blazing a trail
Although Scotland is home to more castles than you can shake a haggis at, the country’s only ‘Castle Trail’ is in
Aberdeenshire. Gilly Pickup finds out more
KILDRUMMY CASTLE
Tel: +44 (0)1975 571 331
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Kildrummy Castle was once one of Scotland’s most imposing castles.
It was captured by Edward I of England in 1296 and sheltered Robert Bruce’s queen and daughter, before enduring a siege in 1306 in which Bruce’s younger brother was captured after Kildrummy was set alight by a traitor.
Nigel Bruce and his men were hanged.
Osbourne, the traitor and castle blacksmith, was rewarded with gold – poured molten down his throat.
‘Bobbing John,’ the 11th Earl, used Kildrummy as the headquarters to organise the final details of the 1715 Jacobite Rising.
HUNTLY CASTLE
Tel: +44 (0)1466 793 191
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Once one of the most noble Scottish Baronial mansions, Huntly Castle, also known as Strathbogie Castle, is a glorious ruin on the banks of the River Deveron.
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, known as the ‘Cock of the North’ glorified the castle in preparation for a visit by Mary of Guise in 1556. In the 17th century the castle was occupied by Covenanters, while Charles 11 stayed there briefly in 1650 on route to his coronation. The remains of a 12th century motte is still visible.
CORGARFF CASTLE
Tel: +44 (0)1975 651 460
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Corgarff Castle nestles at the foot of the Lecht mountain pass. When Adam Gordon of Auchindoun and his men arrived intent on capturing it, they didn’t reckon on feisty Margaret, wife of the castle owner who was at home alone. She shot o.....
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By Gilly Pickup
Section : Scottish Castles
Page number : 23
