Home > Castles of Aberdeenshire and Scotland > Huntly Castle Aberdeenshire Scotland
Owned and managed by Historic Scotland, Huntly Castle in Aberdeenshire is a magnificent ruined 12th Century castle which still commands a sense of awe and is well worth a visit.
Huntly Castle took several centuries to construct and was used as a Baronial residence for five centuries. Initial construction commenced in 1240 by Earl Duncan and was given the name of The Peel of Strathbogie. It remained in the Strathbogie family until 1314. The Strathbogie family gave shelter to King Robert the Bruce after falling ill at Inverurie. Upon his recovery he went on to triumph at Bannockburn. However the new Lord, David of Strathbogie turned against King Robert prior to the battle and as a punishment his lands was forfeited. In 1314 King Robert granted the surrounding land to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly and the building name was changed to Huntly Castle and became the seat of the Gordon Clan.
The Gordon's retained ownership and in 1408 the last male heir, Sir John Gordon, was succeeded by his sister Elizabeth. She married Sir Alexander Seton later that year.
A stone tower was constructed in 1408.
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The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
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Elizabeth and Alexander's son, also called Alexander, was made first Earl of Huntly in 1449, and the Castle stayed in the family since. Through the following years it saw attack after attack and new buildings added and reconstructed.
During the Reformation the Castle became the Scottish Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church due to the Earl of Huntley's strong faith and support. In 1562 The Earl died in battle against the army of Mary Queen of Scots. His two sons were captured and his younger son, Sir John, was beheaded in Aberdeen. The Castle was looted and wrecked. A rebuild took place and in 1599 the new Earl was made The First Marquis of Huntly by King James and further work was undertaken at the Castle.
During the Civil War the Second Marquis was executed and in 1640 the Castle became occupied by the Covenanters' army.
Ownership past onto the Duke of Montrose in 1644 until it was occupied by Government troops during the Jacobite Rising.
Thereafter the Castle fell into ruin and the area was used as a quarry until 1923 when the Duke of Richmond and Gordon entrusted the Castle to State care.
Entrance to the Castle is by the gift shop. There is no timed entry or any need to wait for guides. It's a pleasant area to stroll around, ideally with a guidebook from the shop, and enjoy the surviving architecture, inscribed stone friezes and buildings.
Points of interest include:
The 12th century motte.
The 16th and 17th Century Palace Block.
Several surviving fireplaces, including one beautifully rendered with heraldic mason work.
The Great Hall.
The Kitchen
The underground Prison.
Some areas within the Castle and grounds are wheelchair accessible.
There is a large car park just before the Castle. Next to the car park is a picnic area and playing fields and a play area with swings, chutes, climbing frames, etc. Toilets are located next to the car park.
Take the A96 from Aberdeen.
Castle Huntly
Huntly
Aberdeenshire
AB54 4SH
Tel: (01466) 793191
Website: Historic Scotland Website
More Aberdeenshire Castles.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
Huntly Castle
Owned and managed by Historic Scotland, Huntly Castle in Aberdeenshire is a magnificent ruined 12th Century castle which still commands a sense of awe and is well worth a visit.
The History Of Huntly Castle
Huntly Castle took several centuries to construct and was used as a Baronial residence for five centuries. Initial construction commenced in 1240 by Earl Duncan and was given the name of The Peel of Strathbogie. It remained in the Strathbogie family until 1314. The Strathbogie family gave shelter to King Robert the Bruce after falling ill at Inverurie. Upon his recovery he went on to triumph at Bannockburn. However the new Lord, David of Strathbogie turned against King Robert prior to the battle and as a punishment his lands was forfeited. In 1314 King Robert granted the surrounding land to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly and the building name was changed to Huntly Castle and became the seat of the Gordon Clan.
The Gordon's retained ownership and in 1408 the last male heir, Sir John Gordon, was succeeded by his sister Elizabeth. She married Sir Alexander Seton later that year.
A stone tower was constructed in 1408.
Follow us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Contact Me.
My new novel:
The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
Elizabeth and Alexander's son, also called Alexander, was made first Earl of Huntly in 1449, and the Castle stayed in the family since. Through the following years it saw attack after attack and new buildings added and reconstructed.
During the Reformation the Castle became the Scottish Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church due to the Earl of Huntley's strong faith and support. In 1562 The Earl died in battle against the army of Mary Queen of Scots. His two sons were captured and his younger son, Sir John, was beheaded in Aberdeen. The Castle was looted and wrecked. A rebuild took place and in 1599 the new Earl was made The First Marquis of Huntly by King James and further work was undertaken at the Castle.
During the Civil War the Second Marquis was executed and in 1640 the Castle became occupied by the Covenanters' army.
Ownership past onto the Duke of Montrose in 1644 until it was occupied by Government troops during the Jacobite Rising.
Thereafter the Castle fell into ruin and the area was used as a quarry until 1923 when the Duke of Richmond and Gordon entrusted the Castle to State care.
Tour Of Huntly Castle
Entrance to the Castle is by the gift shop. There is no timed entry or any need to wait for guides. It's a pleasant area to stroll around, ideally with a guidebook from the shop, and enjoy the surviving architecture, inscribed stone friezes and buildings. Points of interest include:
The 12th century motte.
The 16th and 17th Century Palace Block.
Several surviving fireplaces, including one beautifully rendered with heraldic mason work.
The Great Hall.
The Kitchen
The underground Prison.
Some areas within the Castle and grounds are wheelchair accessible.
There is a large car park just before the Castle. Next to the car park is a picnic area and playing fields and a play area with swings, chutes, climbing frames, etc. Toilets are located next to the car park.
How To Get To Huntly Castle
Take the A96 from Aberdeen.
Contact Address, Telephone Number and Website For Huntly Castle
Castle Huntly
Huntly
Aberdeenshire
AB54 4SH
Tel: (01466) 793191
Website: Historic Scotland Website
More Aberdeenshire Castles.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
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