Castles of Scotland

Since we travel to SO MANY castles and ruins on a weekly basis, I thought it would be a good idea to create a series of sorts highlighting the perhaps, lesser known castles, churches, mansions and whatnot of Scotland. Our kick off post in the series is going to feature 2 ruined castles: Craigmillar Castle and Duffus Castle!

Used by Mary Queen of Scots in 1566 as a safe house, Craigmillar Castle lies just a few miles outside of Edinburgh. Originally built by the Preston family of Midlothian in the late 1300's, it stayed in the family until 1660 when it was purchased by Sir John Gilmour a Scottish judge and politician. It was in use until about 1775 when it was left to ruin. Later in the mid 1800's, members of the Gilmour family worked to restore it however the worked ceased with the death of Walter James Little Gilmour in 1887. In 1946, Historic Environment Scotland took ownership of the castle and is has been in state care ever since.

Duffus castle was first built in 1140 by Freskin, a Flemish nobleman during the reign of David I, King of Scots in Elgin, Moray, Scotland. In 1270 the castle passed on to Sir Reginald le Chen, husband of Freskin's heir Mary de Moravia. It's not certain but historians believe the castle may have been destroyed in 1297 during a rebellion against the English. With a grant of 200 oaks from King Edward I in 1305 though, the family had the castle rebuilt. It stayed in the de Moravia family until 1705 when it was abandoned. It is said the last nobleman to visit the castle was John Graham, 1st Viscount of Dundee in 1689, prior to the battle of Killiecrankie.

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