A short walk along a track and over fields to the ruins of this impressive castle with a bloody past. Surrounded by fields and moorland the castle has a great setting and is a good destination for children.
Track, path, field.
No public transport to start.
Signed car park 0.5km up the track towards the castle on right hand side.
The track to Auchindoun Castle leaves the road (A941) just south east of Dufftown, soon after a bend in the road and before you reach Raws Cottage. Just under 0.5km up the track is a small car park on the right where the track forks. Walk on the right hand track towards a steading and farmhouse. There are good views back over the rolling countryside.
The castle can be seen on the left. Once at the buildings go through the pedestrian gate on the left side of the building and follow the fenced path. The path goes through two further gates and alongside a row of mature trees before a final gate leads to the grassy climb up to the castle itself.
Auchindoun Castle was built in the 1400s for John, Earl of Mar, although it has been rebuilt a number of times since. John was murdered by his own brother, King James III, and the castle passed to Thomas Cochrane who was hanged from Lauder Bridge in 1482 by jealous nobles from Angus. The castle then became the stronghold of the Gordons. In 1571 Sir Adam Gordon rode out to Corgarff Castle to challenge the Forbes of Towie. He was not at home, and having received no welcome from his wife, Margaret Campbell, Gordon torched the castle, burning to death Margaret and 27 family and servants, including a number of children, earning him the nickname, the Herod of the North.
The castle was later burnt down in retaliation for this deed and, although it was rebuilt, it fell into disrepair in the 1800's and stone from it was used for local buildings. The castle is an L-shaped tower house, with a cellar on the ground floor, a huge vaulted hall on the first floor and then bedrooms and other rooms on the second floor. It is thought that the courtyard was a later addition probably added in the 1500's. Retrace your steps to return to the start.
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